The isolated fracture-vug systems controlled by small-scale strike-slip faults within ultra-deep carbonate rocks of the Tarim Basin exhibit significant exploration potential.The study employs a novel training set inco...The isolated fracture-vug systems controlled by small-scale strike-slip faults within ultra-deep carbonate rocks of the Tarim Basin exhibit significant exploration potential.The study employs a novel training set incorporating innovative fault labels to train a U-Net-structured CNN model,enabling effective identification of small-scale strike-slip faults through seismic data interpretation.Based on the CNN faults,we analyze the distribution patterns of small-scale strike-slip faults.The small-scale strike-slip faults can be categorized into NNW-trending and NE-trending groups with strike lengths ranging 200–5000 m.The development intensity of small-scale strike-slip faults in the Lower Yingshan Member notably exceeds that in the Upper Member.The Lower and Upper Yingshan members are two distinct mechanical layers with contrasting brittleness characteristics,separated by a low-brittleness layer.The superior brittleness of the Lower Yingshan Member enhances the development intensity of small-scale strike-slip faults compared to the upper member,while the low-brittleness layer exerts restrictive effects on vertical fault propagation.Fracture-vug systems formed by interactions of two or more small-scale strike-slip faults demonstrate larger sizes than those controlled by individual faults.All fracture-vug system sizes show positive correlations with the vertical extents of associated small-scale strike-slip faults,particularly intersection and approaching fracture-vug systems exhibit accelerated size increases proportional to the vertical extents.展开更多
In the ultra-deep strata of the Tarim Basin,the vertical growth process of strike-slip faults remains unclear,and the vertical distribution of fractured-cavity carbonate reservoirs is complex.This paper investigates t...In the ultra-deep strata of the Tarim Basin,the vertical growth process of strike-slip faults remains unclear,and the vertical distribution of fractured-cavity carbonate reservoirs is complex.This paper investigates the vertical growth process of strike-slip faults through field outcrop observations in the Keping area,interpretation of seismic data from the Fuman Oilfield,Tarim Basim,NW China,and structural physical simulation experiments.The results are obtained mainly in four aspects.First,field outcrops and ultra-deep seismic profiles indicate a three-layer structure within the strike-slip fault,consisting of fault core,fracture zone and primary rock.The fault core can be classified into three parts vertically:fracture-cavity unit,fault clay and breccia zone.The distribution of fracture-cavity units demonstrates a distinct pattern of vertical stratification,owing to the structural characteristics and growth process of the slip-strike fault.Second,the ultra-deep seismic profiles show multiple fracture-cavity units in the strike-slip fault zone.These units can be classified into four types:top fractured,middle connected,deep terminated,and intra-layer fractured.Third,structural physical simulation experiments and ultra-deep seismic data interpretation reveal that the strike-slip faults have evolved vertically in three stages:segmental rupture,vertical growth,and connection and extension.The particle image velocimetry detection demonstrates that the initial fracture of the fault zone occurred at the top or bottom and then evolved into cavities gradually along with the fault growth,accompanied by the emergence of new fractures in the middle part of the strata,which subsequently connected with the deep and shallow cavities to form a complete fault zone.Fourth,the ultra-deep carbonate strata primarily develop three types of fractured-cavity reservoirs:flower-shaped fracture,large and deep fault and staggered overlap.The first two types are larger in size with better reservoir conditions,suggesting a significant exploration potential.展开更多
Natural fractures controlled by faults in ultradeep carbonate strata play substantial roles as both fluid migration channels and storage spaces.However,characterizing the heterogeneous distribution of underground frac...Natural fractures controlled by faults in ultradeep carbonate strata play substantial roles as both fluid migration channels and storage spaces.However,characterizing the heterogeneous distribution of underground fractures within the complex three-dimensional geometry of strike-slip fault zones remains challenging.This study investigates the characteristics of natural fractures controlled by strike-slip faults in the fractured Middle and Lower Ordovician reservoirs of the central and northern Tarim Basin,China.Seismics,cores,and image logs were integrated to quantitatively analyze the intensity and dip angle of natural fractures and findings were verified using published sandbox simulations.The carbonate reservoir contains three main types of natural fractures:tectonic fractures,abnormal high-pressure-related fractures,and stylolites.Strike-slip faults control the distribution and characteristics of tectonic fractures across various scales.Generally,both fracture intensity and porosity exhibit a decreasing trend as the distance from the main fault surface increases.Compared with those in non-stepover zones along a strike-slip fault,natural fractures and faults in stepover zones are more developed along the fault strike,with significantly greater development intensity in central stepover regions than that at its two ends.Furthermore,strike-slip faults influence the dip angles of both natural fractures and secondary faults.The proportion of medium-to-low-dip angle fractures and faults in the stepover zone is greater than that in the non-stepover zone.Additionally,the proportion of medium-to low-dip angle fractures and faults in the middle of the stepover is greater than that at both ends.Therefore,strike-slip fault structures control the dip angle of natural fracture and the heterogeneity of secondary fault and fracture intensity.The linking damage zone in the stepover contains a larger volume of fractured rocks,making it a promising petroleum exploration target.The development of stepovers and the orientation of present-day in-situ stress substantially influence the productivity of fractured reservoirs controlled by strike-slip faults.The analysis in this study reveals that reservoir productivity increases as the angle between the strike-slip fault segment and the maximum horizontal principal stress decreases.This study provides valuable insights for quantitatively evaluating fracture heterogeneity in fractured reservoirs and establishing optimized selection criteria for favorable targets in fault-related fractured reservoirs.展开更多
Objective Oil and gas are abundant in the Ordovician Yingshan Formation carbonate karst reservoirs on the northern slope of Tazhong uplift in the Tarim Basin, and have extremely complicated oil-gas-water distribution...Objective Oil and gas are abundant in the Ordovician Yingshan Formation carbonate karst reservoirs on the northern slope of Tazhong uplift in the Tarim Basin, and have extremely complicated oil-gas-water distribution, however. The difference in burial depth of the reservoirs between east and west sides is up to 1000 m. Water-bearing formations exist between oil- and gas-bearing formations vertically and water-producing wells are drilled between oil- and gas-producing wells. Macroscopically, oil and gas occur at low positions, while water occurs at high positiona on the northern slope of Tazhong uplift. The mechanism of differential hydrocarbon enrichment in heterogeneous reservoirs is by far not clarified, which has affected the efficient exploration and development of oil and gas fields in this area.展开更多
Deca</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">dal forerunning seismic activity is examined for very large, shall</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">ow earthquakes alon...Deca</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">dal forerunning seismic activity is examined for very large, shall</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">ow earthquakes along strike-slip and intraplate faults of the world. It includes forerunning shocks of magnitude Mw ≥ 5.0 for 21 mainshocks of Mw 7.5 to 8.6 from 1989 to 2020. Much forerunning activity occurred at what are interpreted to be smaller asperities along the peripheries of the rupture zones of great mainshocks at transform faults and subduction zones. Several great asperities as ascertained from forerunning activity agree with the areas of high seism</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">ic slip as determined by others using geodetic, mapping of surf</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">ace faulting, and finite-source seismic modeling. The zones of high slip in many great earthquakes were nearly quiescent beforehand and are identified as the sites of great asperities. Asperities are strong, well-coupled portions of plate interfaces. Different patterns of forerunning activity on time scales of up to 45 years are attributed to the sizes and spacing of asperities (or lack of). This permits at least some great asperities along transform faults to be mapped decades before they rupture in great shocks. Rupture zones of many great mainshocks along transform faults are bordered either along strike, at depth or regionally by zones of lower plate coupling including either fault creep</span></span><span style="font-family:""> </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> forerunning activity, aftershocks and/or slow-slip events. Forerunning activity to transforms in continental areas is more widespread spatially than that adjacent to oceanic transforms. The parts of the San Andreas fault themselves that ruptured in great California earthquakes during 1812, 1857 and 1906 have been very quiet since 1920;moderate to large shocks have been concentrated on their peripheries. The intraplate shocks studied, however, exhibited few if any forerunning events, which is attributed to the short period of time studied compared to their repeat times. The detection of forerunning and precursory activities for various time scales should be sought on the peripheries of great asperities and not just along the major faults themselves. This paper compliments that on decadal forerunning activity to great and giant earthquakes along subduction zones.展开更多
Through fault structure analysis and chronology study, we discuss the origin and growth mechanisms of strike-slip faults in the Tarim Basin.(1) Multiple stages strike-slip faults with inherited growth were developed i...Through fault structure analysis and chronology study, we discuss the origin and growth mechanisms of strike-slip faults in the Tarim Basin.(1) Multiple stages strike-slip faults with inherited growth were developed in the central Tarim cratonic basin. The faults initiation time is constrained at the end of Middle Ordovician of about 460 Ma according to U-Pb dating of the fault cements and seismic interpretation.(2) The formation of the strike-slip faults was controlled by the near N-S direction stress field caused by far-field compression of the closing of the Proto-Tethys Ocean.(3) The faults localization and characteristics were influenced by the pre-existing structures of the NE trending weakening zones in the basement and lithofacies change from south to north.(4) Following the fault initiation under the Andersonian mechanism, the strike-slip fault growth was dominantly fault linkage, associated with fault tip propagation and interaction of non-Andersonian mechanisms.(5) Sequential slip accommodated deformation in the conjugate strike-slip fault interaction zones, strong localization of the main displacement and deformation occurred in the overlap zones in the northern Tarim, while the fault tips, particularly of narrow-deep grabens, and strike-slip segments in thrust zones accumulated more deformation and strain in the Central uplift. In conclusion, non-Andersonian mechanisms, dominantly fault linkage and interaction, resulted in the small displacement but long intraplate strike-slip fault development in the central Tarim Basin. The regional and localized field stress, and pre-existing structures and lithofacies difference had strong impacts on the diversity of the strike-slip faults in the Tarim cratonic basin.展开更多
Based on 3D seismic and drilling data, the timing, evolution and genetic mechanism of deep strike-slip faults in the central Sichuan Basin are thoroughly examined by using the U-Pb dating of fault-filled carbonate cem...Based on 3D seismic and drilling data, the timing, evolution and genetic mechanism of deep strike-slip faults in the central Sichuan Basin are thoroughly examined by using the U-Pb dating of fault-filled carbonate cement and seismic-geological analysis. The strike-slip fault system was initially formed in the Late Sinian, basically finalized in the Early Cambrian with dextral transtensional structure, was overlaid with at least one stage of transpressional deformation before the Permian, then was reversed into a sinistral weak transtensional structure in the Late Permian. Only a few of these faults were selectively activated in the Indosinian and later periods. The strike-slip fault system was affected by the preexisting structures such as Nanhuanian rifting normal faults and NW-striking deep basement faults. It is an oblique accommodated intracratonic transfer fault system developed from the Late Sinian to Early Cambrian to adjust the uneven extension of the Anyue trough from north to south and matches the Anyue trough in evolution time and intensity. In the later stage, multiple inversion tectonics and selective activation occurred under different tectonic backgrounds.展开更多
Existing analytical methods of buried steel pipelines subjected to active strike-slip faults depended on a number of simplifications.To study the failure mechanism more accurately,a refined strain analytical methodolo...Existing analytical methods of buried steel pipelines subjected to active strike-slip faults depended on a number of simplifications.To study the failure mechanism more accurately,a refined strain analytical methodology was proposed,taking the nonlinear characteristics of soil-pipeline interaction and pipe steel into account.Based on the elastic-beam and beam-on-elastic-foundation theories,the position of pipe potential destruction and the strain and deformation distributions along the pipeline were derived.Compared with existing analytical methods and three-dimensional nonlinear finite element analysis,the maximum axial total strains of pipe from the analytical methodology presented are in good agreement with the finite element results at small and intermediate fault movements and become gradually more conservative at large fault displacements.The position of pipe potential failure and the deformation distribution along the pipeline are fairly consistent with the finite element results.展开更多
Little attention had been paid to the intracontinental strike-slip faults of the Tibetan Plateau. Since the discovery of the Longriba fault using re-measured GPS data in 2003, an increasing amount of attention has bee...Little attention had been paid to the intracontinental strike-slip faults of the Tibetan Plateau. Since the discovery of the Longriba fault using re-measured GPS data in 2003, an increasing amount of attention has been paid to this neglected fault. The local relief and transverse swath profile show that the Longriba fault is the boundary line that separates the high and flat tomography of the Tibet plateau from the high and precipitous tomography of Orogen. In addition, GPS data shows that the Longriba fault is the boundary line where the migratory direction of the Bayan Har block changed from eastward to southeastward. The GPS data shows that the Longriba fault is the boundary fault of the sub-blocks of the eastern Bayan Har block. We built three-dimensional models containing the Longriba fault and the middle segment of the Longmenshan fault, across the Bayan Har block and the Sichuan Basin. A nonlinear finite element method was used to simulate the fault behavior and the block deformation of the Eastern Tibetan Plateau. The results show that the low resistivity and low velocity layer acts as a detachment layer, which causes the overlying blocks to move southeastward. The detachment layer also controls the vertical and horizontal deformation of the rigid Bayan Har block and leads to accumulation strain on the edge of the layer where the Longmenshan thrust is located. After a sufficient amount of strain has been accumulated on the Longmenshan fault, a large earthquake occurs, such as the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. The strike slip activity of the Longriba fault, which is above the low resistivity and low velocity layer, partitions the lateral displacements of the Bayan Har block and adjusts the direction of motion of the Bayan Har block, from the eastward moving Ahba sub-block in the west to southeastward moving Longmenshan sub-block in the east. Four models with different depths to the Longriba fault were constructed: (1) a shallow fault with a depth of only 4 km, (2) a deeper fault that is half as deep as the Longmenshan fault, (3) a deep fault that is 2 km shallower than the low resistivity and low velocity layer, and (4) a fault that is as deep as the low resistivity and low velocity layer. The activity and influence of the Longriba fault with different development stage under this tectonic system were shown: in one Earthquake recurrence period, the rupture region of the fault increases with the depth of the fault, and the lateral slip partition by the fault also changes with the fault depth. It suggests that the Longriba fault is a newly generated fault that developed after the quick uplift in Late Cenozoic along this tectonic setting and gradually extended from the northwest to southeast. The calculations provide the characteristic of block deformation and fault behaviors of intra-continental strike-slip fault and major boundary thrust faults in the eastern margin of the Tibet plateau. Although the low resistivity and low velocity layer controls the deformation of the Bayan Hat block and the uplift of the Longmenshan thrust, the partition of the Longriba fault has an important influence on the intra-plate deformation and modern geomorphic evolution.展开更多
The structural analysis based on the explanation of seismic profiles indicates that a lot of thrust faults and strike-slip faults of Late Cenozoic occur in western Hexi Corridor and its nearby regions. They can be di...The structural analysis based on the explanation of seismic profiles indicates that a lot of thrust faults and strike-slip faults of Late Cenozoic occur in western Hexi Corridor and its nearby regions. They can be divided into two types. One is thrust faults dipping southwards and extending NWwards, which was mainly correlated with the thrusting of northern Qilianshan and located at the NE margin of Qilianshan and the southwestern Hexi Corridor, the other is thrust faults and strike-slip faults that were related to the strike-slipping of Altun fault and located mainly at the regions of Hongliuxia, Kuantaishan, and Helishan that are close to the Altun fault. All these faults, which were related to the remote effects of collision between the two continents of India and Tibet during the Late Eocene and later, started to develop since the Late Tertiary and presented the features of violent thrust or strike-slip movement in Quaternary. Many of them are still active up to now and thus belong to the active faults that are the potential inducement of earthquakes in the Hexi Corridor. Moreover, a lot of intense structural deformation and many morphology phenomena such as tectonic terrace and river offset were formed under the control of these faults in Quaternary.展开更多
Based on the 3 D seismic structure interpretation of Bohai Sea, combined with physical modeling of structure, structural style analysis and apatite fission track simulation, the structural characteristics and genetic ...Based on the 3 D seismic structure interpretation of Bohai Sea, combined with physical modeling of structure, structural style analysis and apatite fission track simulation, the structural characteristics and genetic mechanism of the Cenozoic strike-slip faults in Bohai Sea were investigated. The results show that Tanlu strike-slip fault experienced three stages of strike-slip activities in the Cenozoic,and the transition from left-lateral strike to right-lateral strike-slip was completed at the end of the fourth member of the Shahejie Formation. The strike-slip faults in the Bohai Sea have the characteristics of multi-stage and multi-strength stress superposition. According to the superimposed forms of different strengths, different properties and different ratios, they can be divided into three major genetic types,extension and strike-slip superimposition, extension and extrusion superimposition, extrusion and strike-slip superimposition, and fifteen typical structure patterns. Affected by multiple changes in the direction and rate of subduction of the Cenozoic Pacific plate, the difference between the Cenozoic extension and the strike-slip in the Bohai Sea area leads to the diversity of the fault system and the zoning of the depression structure. According to superimposition features of faults, the Bohai Sea area can be divided into the Liaoxi S-type weak strike-slip zone, Liaodong braided strong strike-slip zone, Boxi conjugated medium strike-slip zone, Bodong brush structure medium strike-slip zone and Bonan parallel strong strike-slip zone. These zones differ in oil and gas accumulation features.展开更多
Understanding the scaling relation of damage zone width with displacement of faults is important for predicting subsurface faulting mechanisms and fluid flow processes. The understanding of this scaling relationship i...Understanding the scaling relation of damage zone width with displacement of faults is important for predicting subsurface faulting mechanisms and fluid flow processes. The understanding of this scaling relationship is influenced by the accuracy of the methods and types of data utilized to investigate faults. In this study, seismic reflection data are used to investigate the throw and damage zone width of five strike-slip faults a ecting Ordovician carbonates of the Tarim intracraton basin,NW China. The results indicate that fault slips with a throw less than 200 m had formed wide damage zones up to 3000 m in width. Also, damage zone width is found to have both a positive correlation and a power-law relation with throw of two orders of magnitude, with a ratio of these values varying in a range of 2–15. The relationship between throw and damage zone width is not a simple power-law and changes its slope from small to larger size faults. The results indicate that throw scales well with damage zone width for the studied faults, and hence these can be used to predict fault geometries in the Tarim Basin. The study of the wide carbonate damage zones presented here provides new insights into scaling of large-size faults, which involve multiple faulting stages.展开更多
This study analyzed and summarized in detail the spatial and temporal distributions of earthquakes,tidal responses,focal mechanisms,and stress field characteristics for the M 7.3 Haicheng earthquake sequence in Februa...This study analyzed and summarized in detail the spatial and temporal distributions of earthquakes,tidal responses,focal mechanisms,and stress field characteristics for the M 7.3 Haicheng earthquake sequence in February 1975.The foreshocks are related to the main fault and the conjugate faults surrounding the extension step-over in the middle.The initiation timing of the foreshock clusters and the original time of the mainshock were clearly modulated by the Earth's tidal force and coincided with the peak of dilational volumetric tidal strain.As a plausible and testable hypothesis,we proposed a fluid-driven foreshock model,by which all observed seismicity features can be more reasonably interpreted with respect to the results of existing models.Together with some other known examples,the widely existing step-over along strike-slip faults and associated conjugate faults,especially for extensional ones in the presence of deep fluids,favor the occurrence of short-term foreshocks.Although clustered seismicity with characteristics similar to those of the studied case is not a sufficient and necessary condition for large earthquakes to occur under similar tectonic conditions,it undoubtedly has a warning significance for the criticality of the main fault.Subsequent testing would require quantification of true/false positives/negatives.展开更多
Seismic hazard analysis is gaining increased attention in the present era because of the catastrophic effects of earthquakes.Scientists always have as a goal to develop new techniques that will help forecast earthquak...Seismic hazard analysis is gaining increased attention in the present era because of the catastrophic effects of earthquakes.Scientists always have as a goal to develop new techniques that will help forecast earthquakes before their reoccurrence. In this research,we have performed a shear failure experiment on rock samples with prefabricated cracks to simulate the process of plate movement that forms strike-slip faults. We studied the evolution law of the deformation field to simulate the shear failure experiment, and these results gave us a comprehensive understanding of the elaborate strain distribution law and its formation process with which to identify actual fault zones. We performed uniaxial compression tests on marble slabs with prefabricated double shear cracks to study the distribution and evolution of the deformation field during shear failure. Analysis of the strain field at different loading stages showed that with an increase in the load, the shear strain field initially changed to a disordered-style distribution. Further, the strain field was partially concentrated and finally completely concentrated near the crack and then distributed in the shape of a strip along the crack. We also computed coefficients of variation(CVs) for the physical quantities u, v, and exy, which varied with the load. The CV curves were found to correspond to the different loading stages. We found that at the uniform deformation stage, the CV value was small and changed slowly,whereas at the later nonuniform deformation stage, the CV value increased sharply and changed abruptly. Therefore, the precursor to a rock sample breakdown can be predicted by observing the variation characteristics of CV statistics. The correlation we found between our experimental and theoretical results revealed that our crack evolution and sample deformation results showed good coupling with seismic distribution characteristics near the San Andreas Fault.展开更多
The largest Precambrian gas field (Anyue gas field) in China has been discovered in the central Sichuan Basin. However, the deep ancient Ediacaran (Sinian) dolomite presents a substantial challenge due to their tightn...The largest Precambrian gas field (Anyue gas field) in China has been discovered in the central Sichuan Basin. However, the deep ancient Ediacaran (Sinian) dolomite presents a substantial challenge due to their tightness and heterogeneity, rather than assumed large-area stratified reservoirs controlled by mound-shoal microfacies. This complicates the characterization of “sweet spot” reservoirs crucial for efficient gas exploitation. By analyzing compiled geological, geophysical and production data, this study investigates the impact of strike-slip fault on the development and distribution of high-quality “sweet spot” (fractured-vuggy) reservoirs in the Ediacaran dolomite of the Anyue gas field. The dolomite matrix reservoir exhibits low porosity (less than 4%) and low permeability (less than 0.5×10^(-3) μm^(2)). Contrarily, fractures and their dissolution processes along strike-slip fault zone significantly enhance matrix permeability by more than one order of magnitude and matrix porosity by more than one time. Widespread “sweet spot” fracture-vuggy reservoirs are found along the strike-slip fault zone, formed at the end of the Ediacaran. These fractured reservoirs are controlled by the coupling mechanisms of sedimentary microfacies, fracturing and karstification. Karstification prevails at the platform margin, while both fracturing and karstification control high-quality reservoirs in the intraplatform, resulting in reservoir diversity in terms of scale, assemblage and type. The architecture of the strike-slip fault zone governed the differential distribution of fracture zones and the fault-controlled “sweet spot” reservoirs, leading to wide fractured-vuggy reservoirs across the strike-slip fault zone. In conclusion, the intracratonic weak strike-slip fault can play a crucial role in improving tight carbonate reservoir, and the strike-slip fault-related “sweet spot” reservoir emerges as a unique and promising target for the efficient development of deep hydrocarbon resources. Tailored development strategies need to be implemented for these reservoirs, considering the diverse and differential impacts exerted by strike-slip faults on the reservoirs.展开更多
South China is the most important uranium producer in the country. Much of the Mesozoic-Cenozoic geology of this area was dominated by NNE-trending intracontinental strike-slip faulting that resulted from oblique subd...South China is the most important uranium producer in the country. Much of the Mesozoic-Cenozoic geology of this area was dominated by NNE-trending intracontinental strike-slip faulting that resulted from oblique subduction of the paleo-Pacific plate underneath the eastern China continent. This strike-slip fault system was characterized by transpression in the early-mid Jurassic and by transtension from the latest Jurassic through Cretaceous to early Tertiary. Most uranium ore deposits in South China are strictly fault-hosted and associated with mid-late Mesozoic granitic intrusions and volcanic rocks, which formed under transpression and transtension regimes, respectively. Various data demonstrate that the NNE-trending strike-slip faults have played critical roles in the formation and distribution of hydrothermal uranium deposits. Extensive geochronological studies show that a majority of uranium deposits in South China formed during the time period of 140-40 Ma with peak ages between 87-48 Ma, coinciding well with the time interval of transtension. However, hydrothermal uranium deposits are not uniformly distributed along individual strike-slip fault. The most important ore-hosting segments are pull-apart stepovers, splay structures, extensional strike-slip duplexes, releasing bends and fault intersections. This non-uniform distribution of ore occurrences in individual fault zone reflects localization of hydrothermal fluids within those segments that were highly dilational and thus extremely permeable. The unique geometric patterns and structural styles of strike-slip faults may have facilitated mixing of deeply derived and near-surface fluids, as evidenced by stable isotopic data from many uranium deposits in South China. The identification of fault segments favorable for uranium mineralization in South China is important for understanding the genesis of hydrothermal ore deposits within continental strike-slip faults, and therefore has great implications for exploration strategies.展开更多
During a 4-month period starting from 21 January, 1997, an earthquake swarm of seven major events (Ms≥6.0) struck the Jiashi region at the northwestern corner of the Tarim Basin in Xinjiang,, China. Previous relocati...During a 4-month period starting from 21 January, 1997, an earthquake swarm of seven major events (Ms≥6.0) struck the Jiashi region at the northwestern corner of the Tarim Basin in Xinjiang,, China. Previous relocation studies suggested that these strong earthquakes had occurred along at least two parallel rupture zones. According to the relocated hypocenters and focal mechanisms of the events, we have constructed fault models for these seven earthquakes to calculate the Coulomb stress changes produced by each of these events. Furthermore, we extended our model calculations to include an ad- jacent 1996 Ms=6.9 Artushi earthquake, which occurred one year before the Jiashi earthquake swarm. Our calculations show that the Coulomb stress change caused by the preceding events was around 0.05 MPa at the hypocenter of the 4th event, and higher than 0.08 MPa at the hypocenters of the 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th events. Our results reveal a Coulomb stress interactive cycle of earthquake triggering between two adjacent normal and strike-slip faults.展开更多
The strike-slip fault system in the central Tarim Craton controls a complex petroleum system with estimated reserves exceeding 1×10^(9)t,the fault-related fractures are important for hydrocarbon accumulation.In t...The strike-slip fault system in the central Tarim Craton controls a complex petroleum system with estimated reserves exceeding 1×10^(9)t,the fault-related fractures are important for hydrocarbon accumulation.In this paper,the basic parameters such as density and width of fractures are counted and classified,and the effects of fractures on reservoirs are analyzed.The results show that:(1)Structural fractures and stylolite were widely developed in Halahatang area and experienced at least three stages of activity based on the infilling materials and crosscutting relationship.(2)Fracture density,width,aperture,and dip angle vary in different wells,but the relationship between the above parameters and the distance to the fault core indicates the fracture differences in the fault damage zone and further provides a method to divide the inner units in the fault damage zone.In addition,oil and gas wells with high production mainly concentrate in the inner unit.(3)The infilling materials and degree of fractures vary.Fractures formed in the early stage are more filled and less open,while the fractures formed in the late stage are relatively less filled and more open.(4)Fractures improve porosity to a certain extent but greatly increase permeability,especially in the inner zone of fault damage zone with large quantity,multiple inclinations,less filling and large width.These features contribute to the formation of a higher-quality reservoir,further improving oil and gas production.This paper provides a quantitative characterization method for the study of strike-slip fault-related fracture-caved reservoirs,and points out that fault damage zone,especially the inner zone of the fault damage zone,is the potential goal for oil and gas exploration.展开更多
During strike-slip fault dislocation,multiple fault planes are commonly observed.The resulting permanent ground deformation can lead to profound structural damage to tunnels.However,existing analytical models do not c...During strike-slip fault dislocation,multiple fault planes are commonly observed.The resulting permanent ground deformation can lead to profound structural damage to tunnels.However,existing analytical models do not consider multiple fault planes.Instead,they concentrate the entire fault displacement onto a single fault plane for analysis,thereby giving rise to notable errors in the calculated results.To address this issue,a refined nonlinear theoretical model was established to analyze the mechanical responses of the tunnels subjected to multiple strike-slip fault dislocations.The analytical model considers the number of fault planes,nonlinear soil‒tunnel interactions,geometric nonlinearity,and fault zone width,leading to a significant improvement in its range of applicability and calculation accuracy.The results of the analytical model are in agreement,both qualitatively and quantitatively,with the model test and numerical results.Then,based on the proposed theoretical model,a sensitivity analysis of parameters was conducted,focusing on the variables such as the number of fault planes,fault plane distance(d),fault displacement ratio(η),burial depth(C),crossing angle(β),tunnel diameter(D),fault zone width(Wf),and strike-slip fault displacement(Δfs).The results show that the peak shear force(Vmax),bending moment(Mmax),and axial force(Nmax)decrease with increasing d.The Vmax of the tunnel is found at the fault plane with the largest fault displacement.C,D,andΔfs contribute to the increases in Vmax,Mmax,and Nmax.Additionally,increasing the number of fault planes reduces Vmax and Mmax,whereas the variation in Nmax remains minimal.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.U21B2062).
文摘The isolated fracture-vug systems controlled by small-scale strike-slip faults within ultra-deep carbonate rocks of the Tarim Basin exhibit significant exploration potential.The study employs a novel training set incorporating innovative fault labels to train a U-Net-structured CNN model,enabling effective identification of small-scale strike-slip faults through seismic data interpretation.Based on the CNN faults,we analyze the distribution patterns of small-scale strike-slip faults.The small-scale strike-slip faults can be categorized into NNW-trending and NE-trending groups with strike lengths ranging 200–5000 m.The development intensity of small-scale strike-slip faults in the Lower Yingshan Member notably exceeds that in the Upper Member.The Lower and Upper Yingshan members are two distinct mechanical layers with contrasting brittleness characteristics,separated by a low-brittleness layer.The superior brittleness of the Lower Yingshan Member enhances the development intensity of small-scale strike-slip faults compared to the upper member,while the low-brittleness layer exerts restrictive effects on vertical fault propagation.Fracture-vug systems formed by interactions of two or more small-scale strike-slip faults demonstrate larger sizes than those controlled by individual faults.All fracture-vug system sizes show positive correlations with the vertical extents of associated small-scale strike-slip faults,particularly intersection and approaching fracture-vug systems exhibit accelerated size increases proportional to the vertical extents.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(42362026)Key R&D Project of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region(2024B01015).
文摘In the ultra-deep strata of the Tarim Basin,the vertical growth process of strike-slip faults remains unclear,and the vertical distribution of fractured-cavity carbonate reservoirs is complex.This paper investigates the vertical growth process of strike-slip faults through field outcrop observations in the Keping area,interpretation of seismic data from the Fuman Oilfield,Tarim Basim,NW China,and structural physical simulation experiments.The results are obtained mainly in four aspects.First,field outcrops and ultra-deep seismic profiles indicate a three-layer structure within the strike-slip fault,consisting of fault core,fracture zone and primary rock.The fault core can be classified into three parts vertically:fracture-cavity unit,fault clay and breccia zone.The distribution of fracture-cavity units demonstrates a distinct pattern of vertical stratification,owing to the structural characteristics and growth process of the slip-strike fault.Second,the ultra-deep seismic profiles show multiple fracture-cavity units in the strike-slip fault zone.These units can be classified into four types:top fractured,middle connected,deep terminated,and intra-layer fractured.Third,structural physical simulation experiments and ultra-deep seismic data interpretation reveal that the strike-slip faults have evolved vertically in three stages:segmental rupture,vertical growth,and connection and extension.The particle image velocimetry detection demonstrates that the initial fracture of the fault zone occurred at the top or bottom and then evolved into cavities gradually along with the fault growth,accompanied by the emergence of new fractures in the middle part of the strata,which subsequently connected with the deep and shallow cavities to form a complete fault zone.Fourth,the ultra-deep carbonate strata primarily develop three types of fractured-cavity reservoirs:flower-shaped fracture,large and deep fault and staggered overlap.The first two types are larger in size with better reservoir conditions,suggesting a significant exploration potential.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.U21B2062)funding from the Chinese Scholarship Council(CSC)and the American Association of Petroleum Geologists Foundation Grantsin-Aid Program.
文摘Natural fractures controlled by faults in ultradeep carbonate strata play substantial roles as both fluid migration channels and storage spaces.However,characterizing the heterogeneous distribution of underground fractures within the complex three-dimensional geometry of strike-slip fault zones remains challenging.This study investigates the characteristics of natural fractures controlled by strike-slip faults in the fractured Middle and Lower Ordovician reservoirs of the central and northern Tarim Basin,China.Seismics,cores,and image logs were integrated to quantitatively analyze the intensity and dip angle of natural fractures and findings were verified using published sandbox simulations.The carbonate reservoir contains three main types of natural fractures:tectonic fractures,abnormal high-pressure-related fractures,and stylolites.Strike-slip faults control the distribution and characteristics of tectonic fractures across various scales.Generally,both fracture intensity and porosity exhibit a decreasing trend as the distance from the main fault surface increases.Compared with those in non-stepover zones along a strike-slip fault,natural fractures and faults in stepover zones are more developed along the fault strike,with significantly greater development intensity in central stepover regions than that at its two ends.Furthermore,strike-slip faults influence the dip angles of both natural fractures and secondary faults.The proportion of medium-to-low-dip angle fractures and faults in the stepover zone is greater than that in the non-stepover zone.Additionally,the proportion of medium-to low-dip angle fractures and faults in the middle of the stepover is greater than that at both ends.Therefore,strike-slip fault structures control the dip angle of natural fracture and the heterogeneity of secondary fault and fracture intensity.The linking damage zone in the stepover contains a larger volume of fractured rocks,making it a promising petroleum exploration target.The development of stepovers and the orientation of present-day in-situ stress substantially influence the productivity of fractured reservoirs controlled by strike-slip faults.The analysis in this study reveals that reservoir productivity increases as the angle between the strike-slip fault segment and the maximum horizontal principal stress decreases.This study provides valuable insights for quantitatively evaluating fracture heterogeneity in fractured reservoirs and establishing optimized selection criteria for favorable targets in fault-related fractured reservoirs.
基金financially supported by the National Science Foundation of China(grant No.41372146)
文摘Objective Oil and gas are abundant in the Ordovician Yingshan Formation carbonate karst reservoirs on the northern slope of Tazhong uplift in the Tarim Basin, and have extremely complicated oil-gas-water distribution, however. The difference in burial depth of the reservoirs between east and west sides is up to 1000 m. Water-bearing formations exist between oil- and gas-bearing formations vertically and water-producing wells are drilled between oil- and gas-producing wells. Macroscopically, oil and gas occur at low positions, while water occurs at high positiona on the northern slope of Tazhong uplift. The mechanism of differential hydrocarbon enrichment in heterogeneous reservoirs is by far not clarified, which has affected the efficient exploration and development of oil and gas fields in this area.
文摘Deca</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">dal forerunning seismic activity is examined for very large, shall</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">ow earthquakes along strike-slip and intraplate faults of the world. It includes forerunning shocks of magnitude Mw ≥ 5.0 for 21 mainshocks of Mw 7.5 to 8.6 from 1989 to 2020. Much forerunning activity occurred at what are interpreted to be smaller asperities along the peripheries of the rupture zones of great mainshocks at transform faults and subduction zones. Several great asperities as ascertained from forerunning activity agree with the areas of high seism</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">ic slip as determined by others using geodetic, mapping of surf</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">ace faulting, and finite-source seismic modeling. The zones of high slip in many great earthquakes were nearly quiescent beforehand and are identified as the sites of great asperities. Asperities are strong, well-coupled portions of plate interfaces. Different patterns of forerunning activity on time scales of up to 45 years are attributed to the sizes and spacing of asperities (or lack of). This permits at least some great asperities along transform faults to be mapped decades before they rupture in great shocks. Rupture zones of many great mainshocks along transform faults are bordered either along strike, at depth or regionally by zones of lower plate coupling including either fault creep</span></span><span style="font-family:""> </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> forerunning activity, aftershocks and/or slow-slip events. Forerunning activity to transforms in continental areas is more widespread spatially than that adjacent to oceanic transforms. The parts of the San Andreas fault themselves that ruptured in great California earthquakes during 1812, 1857 and 1906 have been very quiet since 1920;moderate to large shocks have been concentrated on their peripheries. The intraplate shocks studied, however, exhibited few if any forerunning events, which is attributed to the short period of time studied compared to their repeat times. The detection of forerunning and precursory activities for various time scales should be sought on the peripheries of great asperities and not just along the major faults themselves. This paper compliments that on decadal forerunning activity to great and giant earthquakes along subduction zones.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(91955204)PetroChina-Southwest Petroleum University Innovation Consortium Science and Technology Cooperation Project(2020CX010101)。
文摘Through fault structure analysis and chronology study, we discuss the origin and growth mechanisms of strike-slip faults in the Tarim Basin.(1) Multiple stages strike-slip faults with inherited growth were developed in the central Tarim cratonic basin. The faults initiation time is constrained at the end of Middle Ordovician of about 460 Ma according to U-Pb dating of the fault cements and seismic interpretation.(2) The formation of the strike-slip faults was controlled by the near N-S direction stress field caused by far-field compression of the closing of the Proto-Tethys Ocean.(3) The faults localization and characteristics were influenced by the pre-existing structures of the NE trending weakening zones in the basement and lithofacies change from south to north.(4) Following the fault initiation under the Andersonian mechanism, the strike-slip fault growth was dominantly fault linkage, associated with fault tip propagation and interaction of non-Andersonian mechanisms.(5) Sequential slip accommodated deformation in the conjugate strike-slip fault interaction zones, strong localization of the main displacement and deformation occurred in the overlap zones in the northern Tarim, while the fault tips, particularly of narrow-deep grabens, and strike-slip segments in thrust zones accumulated more deformation and strain in the Central uplift. In conclusion, non-Andersonian mechanisms, dominantly fault linkage and interaction, resulted in the small displacement but long intraplate strike-slip fault development in the central Tarim Basin. The regional and localized field stress, and pre-existing structures and lithofacies difference had strong impacts on the diversity of the strike-slip faults in the Tarim cratonic basin.
基金Supported by the Science and Technology Cooperation Project of CNPC-SWPU Innovation Alliance (2020CX010101)National Natural Science Foundation of China (91955204)。
文摘Based on 3D seismic and drilling data, the timing, evolution and genetic mechanism of deep strike-slip faults in the central Sichuan Basin are thoroughly examined by using the U-Pb dating of fault-filled carbonate cement and seismic-geological analysis. The strike-slip fault system was initially formed in the Late Sinian, basically finalized in the Early Cambrian with dextral transtensional structure, was overlaid with at least one stage of transpressional deformation before the Permian, then was reversed into a sinistral weak transtensional structure in the Late Permian. Only a few of these faults were selectively activated in the Indosinian and later periods. The strike-slip fault system was affected by the preexisting structures such as Nanhuanian rifting normal faults and NW-striking deep basement faults. It is an oblique accommodated intracratonic transfer fault system developed from the Late Sinian to Early Cambrian to adjust the uneven extension of the Anyue trough from north to south and matches the Anyue trough in evolution time and intensity. In the later stage, multiple inversion tectonics and selective activation occurred under different tectonic backgrounds.
基金Project(50439010) supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of ChinaProject(DUT10ZD201) supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities in China
文摘Existing analytical methods of buried steel pipelines subjected to active strike-slip faults depended on a number of simplifications.To study the failure mechanism more accurately,a refined strain analytical methodology was proposed,taking the nonlinear characteristics of soil-pipeline interaction and pipe steel into account.Based on the elastic-beam and beam-on-elastic-foundation theories,the position of pipe potential destruction and the strain and deformation distributions along the pipeline were derived.Compared with existing analytical methods and three-dimensional nonlinear finite element analysis,the maximum axial total strains of pipe from the analytical methodology presented are in good agreement with the finite element results at small and intermediate fault movements and become gradually more conservative at large fault displacements.The position of pipe potential failure and the deformation distribution along the pipeline are fairly consistent with the finite element results.
基金the project of National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No.41004037 and 41202235)
文摘Little attention had been paid to the intracontinental strike-slip faults of the Tibetan Plateau. Since the discovery of the Longriba fault using re-measured GPS data in 2003, an increasing amount of attention has been paid to this neglected fault. The local relief and transverse swath profile show that the Longriba fault is the boundary line that separates the high and flat tomography of the Tibet plateau from the high and precipitous tomography of Orogen. In addition, GPS data shows that the Longriba fault is the boundary line where the migratory direction of the Bayan Har block changed from eastward to southeastward. The GPS data shows that the Longriba fault is the boundary fault of the sub-blocks of the eastern Bayan Har block. We built three-dimensional models containing the Longriba fault and the middle segment of the Longmenshan fault, across the Bayan Har block and the Sichuan Basin. A nonlinear finite element method was used to simulate the fault behavior and the block deformation of the Eastern Tibetan Plateau. The results show that the low resistivity and low velocity layer acts as a detachment layer, which causes the overlying blocks to move southeastward. The detachment layer also controls the vertical and horizontal deformation of the rigid Bayan Har block and leads to accumulation strain on the edge of the layer where the Longmenshan thrust is located. After a sufficient amount of strain has been accumulated on the Longmenshan fault, a large earthquake occurs, such as the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. The strike slip activity of the Longriba fault, which is above the low resistivity and low velocity layer, partitions the lateral displacements of the Bayan Har block and adjusts the direction of motion of the Bayan Har block, from the eastward moving Ahba sub-block in the west to southeastward moving Longmenshan sub-block in the east. Four models with different depths to the Longriba fault were constructed: (1) a shallow fault with a depth of only 4 km, (2) a deeper fault that is half as deep as the Longmenshan fault, (3) a deep fault that is 2 km shallower than the low resistivity and low velocity layer, and (4) a fault that is as deep as the low resistivity and low velocity layer. The activity and influence of the Longriba fault with different development stage under this tectonic system were shown: in one Earthquake recurrence period, the rupture region of the fault increases with the depth of the fault, and the lateral slip partition by the fault also changes with the fault depth. It suggests that the Longriba fault is a newly generated fault that developed after the quick uplift in Late Cenozoic along this tectonic setting and gradually extended from the northwest to southeast. The calculations provide the characteristic of block deformation and fault behaviors of intra-continental strike-slip fault and major boundary thrust faults in the eastern margin of the Tibet plateau. Although the low resistivity and low velocity layer controls the deformation of the Bayan Hat block and the uplift of the Longmenshan thrust, the partition of the Longriba fault has an important influence on the intra-plate deformation and modern geomorphic evolution.
文摘The structural analysis based on the explanation of seismic profiles indicates that a lot of thrust faults and strike-slip faults of Late Cenozoic occur in western Hexi Corridor and its nearby regions. They can be divided into two types. One is thrust faults dipping southwards and extending NWwards, which was mainly correlated with the thrusting of northern Qilianshan and located at the NE margin of Qilianshan and the southwestern Hexi Corridor, the other is thrust faults and strike-slip faults that were related to the strike-slipping of Altun fault and located mainly at the regions of Hongliuxia, Kuantaishan, and Helishan that are close to the Altun fault. All these faults, which were related to the remote effects of collision between the two continents of India and Tibet during the Late Eocene and later, started to develop since the Late Tertiary and presented the features of violent thrust or strike-slip movement in Quaternary. Many of them are still active up to now and thus belong to the active faults that are the potential inducement of earthquakes in the Hexi Corridor. Moreover, a lot of intense structural deformation and many morphology phenomena such as tectonic terrace and river offset were formed under the control of these faults in Quaternary.
基金Supported by the China National Science and Technology Major Project(2016ZX05024-002,2016ZX05024-003)
文摘Based on the 3 D seismic structure interpretation of Bohai Sea, combined with physical modeling of structure, structural style analysis and apatite fission track simulation, the structural characteristics and genetic mechanism of the Cenozoic strike-slip faults in Bohai Sea were investigated. The results show that Tanlu strike-slip fault experienced three stages of strike-slip activities in the Cenozoic,and the transition from left-lateral strike to right-lateral strike-slip was completed at the end of the fourth member of the Shahejie Formation. The strike-slip faults in the Bohai Sea have the characteristics of multi-stage and multi-strength stress superposition. According to the superimposed forms of different strengths, different properties and different ratios, they can be divided into three major genetic types,extension and strike-slip superimposition, extension and extrusion superimposition, extrusion and strike-slip superimposition, and fifteen typical structure patterns. Affected by multiple changes in the direction and rate of subduction of the Cenozoic Pacific plate, the difference between the Cenozoic extension and the strike-slip in the Bohai Sea area leads to the diversity of the fault system and the zoning of the depression structure. According to superimposition features of faults, the Bohai Sea area can be divided into the Liaoxi S-type weak strike-slip zone, Liaodong braided strong strike-slip zone, Boxi conjugated medium strike-slip zone, Bodong brush structure medium strike-slip zone and Bonan parallel strong strike-slip zone. These zones differ in oil and gas accumulation features.
基金partly supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.41472103)Technology Major Project(2016ZX05004001)
文摘Understanding the scaling relation of damage zone width with displacement of faults is important for predicting subsurface faulting mechanisms and fluid flow processes. The understanding of this scaling relationship is influenced by the accuracy of the methods and types of data utilized to investigate faults. In this study, seismic reflection data are used to investigate the throw and damage zone width of five strike-slip faults a ecting Ordovician carbonates of the Tarim intracraton basin,NW China. The results indicate that fault slips with a throw less than 200 m had formed wide damage zones up to 3000 m in width. Also, damage zone width is found to have both a positive correlation and a power-law relation with throw of two orders of magnitude, with a ratio of these values varying in a range of 2–15. The relationship between throw and damage zone width is not a simple power-law and changes its slope from small to larger size faults. The results indicate that throw scales well with damage zone width for the studied faults, and hence these can be used to predict fault geometries in the Tarim Basin. The study of the wide carbonate damage zones presented here provides new insights into scaling of large-size faults, which involve multiple faulting stages.
基金jointly funded by the National Key Research and Development Project(2018YFC1503301)the National Natural Sciences Foundation of China(NSFC)(U1839211)the fundamental scientific research project of the Institute of Geology,China Earthquake Administration(IGCEA2123)。
文摘This study analyzed and summarized in detail the spatial and temporal distributions of earthquakes,tidal responses,focal mechanisms,and stress field characteristics for the M 7.3 Haicheng earthquake sequence in February 1975.The foreshocks are related to the main fault and the conjugate faults surrounding the extension step-over in the middle.The initiation timing of the foreshock clusters and the original time of the mainshock were clearly modulated by the Earth's tidal force and coincided with the peak of dilational volumetric tidal strain.As a plausible and testable hypothesis,we proposed a fluid-driven foreshock model,by which all observed seismicity features can be more reasonably interpreted with respect to the results of existing models.Together with some other known examples,the widely existing step-over along strike-slip faults and associated conjugate faults,especially for extensional ones in the presence of deep fluids,favor the occurrence of short-term foreshocks.Although clustered seismicity with characteristics similar to those of the studied case is not a sufficient and necessary condition for large earthquakes to occur under similar tectonic conditions,it undoubtedly has a warning significance for the criticality of the main fault.Subsequent testing would require quantification of true/false positives/negatives.
基金Support for this research was provided by the National Key R&D Program of China(grant numbers 2018YFC1504203 and SQ2017YFSF040025)
文摘Seismic hazard analysis is gaining increased attention in the present era because of the catastrophic effects of earthquakes.Scientists always have as a goal to develop new techniques that will help forecast earthquakes before their reoccurrence. In this research,we have performed a shear failure experiment on rock samples with prefabricated cracks to simulate the process of plate movement that forms strike-slip faults. We studied the evolution law of the deformation field to simulate the shear failure experiment, and these results gave us a comprehensive understanding of the elaborate strain distribution law and its formation process with which to identify actual fault zones. We performed uniaxial compression tests on marble slabs with prefabricated double shear cracks to study the distribution and evolution of the deformation field during shear failure. Analysis of the strain field at different loading stages showed that with an increase in the load, the shear strain field initially changed to a disordered-style distribution. Further, the strain field was partially concentrated and finally completely concentrated near the crack and then distributed in the shape of a strip along the crack. We also computed coefficients of variation(CVs) for the physical quantities u, v, and exy, which varied with the load. The CV curves were found to correspond to the different loading stages. We found that at the uniform deformation stage, the CV value was small and changed slowly,whereas at the later nonuniform deformation stage, the CV value increased sharply and changed abruptly. Therefore, the precursor to a rock sample breakdown can be predicted by observing the variation characteristics of CV statistics. The correlation we found between our experimental and theoretical results revealed that our crack evolution and sample deformation results showed good coupling with seismic distribution characteristics near the San Andreas Fault.
基金Supported by the PetroChina and Southwest Petroleum University Cooperation Project(2020CX010101)the National Natural ScienceFoundation of China(91955204).
文摘The largest Precambrian gas field (Anyue gas field) in China has been discovered in the central Sichuan Basin. However, the deep ancient Ediacaran (Sinian) dolomite presents a substantial challenge due to their tightness and heterogeneity, rather than assumed large-area stratified reservoirs controlled by mound-shoal microfacies. This complicates the characterization of “sweet spot” reservoirs crucial for efficient gas exploitation. By analyzing compiled geological, geophysical and production data, this study investigates the impact of strike-slip fault on the development and distribution of high-quality “sweet spot” (fractured-vuggy) reservoirs in the Ediacaran dolomite of the Anyue gas field. The dolomite matrix reservoir exhibits low porosity (less than 4%) and low permeability (less than 0.5×10^(-3) μm^(2)). Contrarily, fractures and their dissolution processes along strike-slip fault zone significantly enhance matrix permeability by more than one order of magnitude and matrix porosity by more than one time. Widespread “sweet spot” fracture-vuggy reservoirs are found along the strike-slip fault zone, formed at the end of the Ediacaran. These fractured reservoirs are controlled by the coupling mechanisms of sedimentary microfacies, fracturing and karstification. Karstification prevails at the platform margin, while both fracturing and karstification control high-quality reservoirs in the intraplatform, resulting in reservoir diversity in terms of scale, assemblage and type. The architecture of the strike-slip fault zone governed the differential distribution of fracture zones and the fault-controlled “sweet spot” reservoirs, leading to wide fractured-vuggy reservoirs across the strike-slip fault zone. In conclusion, the intracratonic weak strike-slip fault can play a crucial role in improving tight carbonate reservoir, and the strike-slip fault-related “sweet spot” reservoir emerges as a unique and promising target for the efficient development of deep hydrocarbon resources. Tailored development strategies need to be implemented for these reservoirs, considering the diverse and differential impacts exerted by strike-slip faults on the reservoirs.
基金This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China to Z.-R. Fu (GrantNo. 49572148). Research was also partially supported by the Research Grant Council of Hong Kong, China (Grant No. HKU730/99P) to M.-F. Zhou. We are indeb
文摘South China is the most important uranium producer in the country. Much of the Mesozoic-Cenozoic geology of this area was dominated by NNE-trending intracontinental strike-slip faulting that resulted from oblique subduction of the paleo-Pacific plate underneath the eastern China continent. This strike-slip fault system was characterized by transpression in the early-mid Jurassic and by transtension from the latest Jurassic through Cretaceous to early Tertiary. Most uranium ore deposits in South China are strictly fault-hosted and associated with mid-late Mesozoic granitic intrusions and volcanic rocks, which formed under transpression and transtension regimes, respectively. Various data demonstrate that the NNE-trending strike-slip faults have played critical roles in the formation and distribution of hydrothermal uranium deposits. Extensive geochronological studies show that a majority of uranium deposits in South China formed during the time period of 140-40 Ma with peak ages between 87-48 Ma, coinciding well with the time interval of transtension. However, hydrothermal uranium deposits are not uniformly distributed along individual strike-slip fault. The most important ore-hosting segments are pull-apart stepovers, splay structures, extensional strike-slip duplexes, releasing bends and fault intersections. This non-uniform distribution of ore occurrences in individual fault zone reflects localization of hydrothermal fluids within those segments that were highly dilational and thus extremely permeable. The unique geometric patterns and structural styles of strike-slip faults may have facilitated mixing of deeply derived and near-surface fluids, as evidenced by stable isotopic data from many uranium deposits in South China. The identification of fault segments favorable for uranium mineralization in South China is important for understanding the genesis of hydrothermal ore deposits within continental strike-slip faults, and therefore has great implications for exploration strategies.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 40520120222, 40125011 and 40521002)the United States National Science Foundation (Grant No. EAR-0003888)
文摘During a 4-month period starting from 21 January, 1997, an earthquake swarm of seven major events (Ms≥6.0) struck the Jiashi region at the northwestern corner of the Tarim Basin in Xinjiang,, China. Previous relocation studies suggested that these strong earthquakes had occurred along at least two parallel rupture zones. According to the relocated hypocenters and focal mechanisms of the events, we have constructed fault models for these seven earthquakes to calculate the Coulomb stress changes produced by each of these events. Furthermore, we extended our model calculations to include an ad- jacent 1996 Ms=6.9 Artushi earthquake, which occurred one year before the Jiashi earthquake swarm. Our calculations show that the Coulomb stress change caused by the preceding events was around 0.05 MPa at the hypocenter of the 4th event, and higher than 0.08 MPa at the hypocenters of the 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th events. Our results reveal a Coulomb stress interactive cycle of earthquake triggering between two adjacent normal and strike-slip faults.
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China-Youth Foundation(42402163)Natural Science Foundation of Sichuan Province of China(2024NSFSC0814)Science and Technology Cooperation Project of the CNPC-SWPU Innovation Alliance(2020CX010101).
文摘The strike-slip fault system in the central Tarim Craton controls a complex petroleum system with estimated reserves exceeding 1×10^(9)t,the fault-related fractures are important for hydrocarbon accumulation.In this paper,the basic parameters such as density and width of fractures are counted and classified,and the effects of fractures on reservoirs are analyzed.The results show that:(1)Structural fractures and stylolite were widely developed in Halahatang area and experienced at least three stages of activity based on the infilling materials and crosscutting relationship.(2)Fracture density,width,aperture,and dip angle vary in different wells,but the relationship between the above parameters and the distance to the fault core indicates the fracture differences in the fault damage zone and further provides a method to divide the inner units in the fault damage zone.In addition,oil and gas wells with high production mainly concentrate in the inner unit.(3)The infilling materials and degree of fractures vary.Fractures formed in the early stage are more filled and less open,while the fractures formed in the late stage are relatively less filled and more open.(4)Fractures improve porosity to a certain extent but greatly increase permeability,especially in the inner zone of fault damage zone with large quantity,multiple inclinations,less filling and large width.These features contribute to the formation of a higher-quality reservoir,further improving oil and gas production.This paper provides a quantitative characterization method for the study of strike-slip fault-related fracture-caved reservoirs,and points out that fault damage zone,especially the inner zone of the fault damage zone,is the potential goal for oil and gas exploration.
基金support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.52378411,52208404)China National Railway Group Limited Science and Technology Research and Development Program(Grant No.K2023G041).
文摘During strike-slip fault dislocation,multiple fault planes are commonly observed.The resulting permanent ground deformation can lead to profound structural damage to tunnels.However,existing analytical models do not consider multiple fault planes.Instead,they concentrate the entire fault displacement onto a single fault plane for analysis,thereby giving rise to notable errors in the calculated results.To address this issue,a refined nonlinear theoretical model was established to analyze the mechanical responses of the tunnels subjected to multiple strike-slip fault dislocations.The analytical model considers the number of fault planes,nonlinear soil‒tunnel interactions,geometric nonlinearity,and fault zone width,leading to a significant improvement in its range of applicability and calculation accuracy.The results of the analytical model are in agreement,both qualitatively and quantitatively,with the model test and numerical results.Then,based on the proposed theoretical model,a sensitivity analysis of parameters was conducted,focusing on the variables such as the number of fault planes,fault plane distance(d),fault displacement ratio(η),burial depth(C),crossing angle(β),tunnel diameter(D),fault zone width(Wf),and strike-slip fault displacement(Δfs).The results show that the peak shear force(Vmax),bending moment(Mmax),and axial force(Nmax)decrease with increasing d.The Vmax of the tunnel is found at the fault plane with the largest fault displacement.C,D,andΔfs contribute to the increases in Vmax,Mmax,and Nmax.Additionally,increasing the number of fault planes reduces Vmax and Mmax,whereas the variation in Nmax remains minimal.