Fault formation and evolution in the presence of multiple pre-existing weaknesses has not been investigated extensively in rift basins. The fault systems of Weixinan Sag, Beibuwan Basin of China, which is fully covere...Fault formation and evolution in the presence of multiple pre-existing weaknesses has not been investigated extensively in rift basins. The fault systems of Weixinan Sag, Beibuwan Basin of China, which is fully covered with high-precision 3-D seismic data and is rich in oil-gas resources, have been successfully reproduced by sandbox modeling in this study with inclusion of multiple pre-existing weaknesses in the experimental model. The basic characteristics of fault formation and evolution revealed by sandbox modeling are as follows. 1） Weakness-reactivation faults and weakness-related faults are formed much earlier than the distant-weakness faults （faults far away from and with little or no relationship to the weakness）. 2） Weakness-reactivation faults and weakness-related faults develop mainly along or parallel to a pre-existing weakness, while distant-weakness faults develop nearly perpendicular to the extension direction. A complicated fault system can be formed in a fixed direction of extension with the existence of multiple pre-existing weaknesses, and the complicated fault system in the Weixinan Sag formed gradually in a nearly N-S direction with multiple pre-existing weaknesses. 3） The increase in the length and number of faults is closely tied to the nature of pre-existing weaknesses. The sandbox model may provide a new clue to detailed fault system research for oil and gas exploration in rift basins.展开更多
Three series of sandbox modeling experiments were performed to study the fault-increment pattern in extensional basins. Experimental results showed that the tectonic action mode of boundaries and the shape of major bo...Three series of sandbox modeling experiments were performed to study the fault-increment pattern in extensional basins. Experimental results showed that the tectonic action mode of boundaries and the shape of major boundary faults control the formation and evolution of faults in extensional basins. In the process of extensional deformation, the increase in the number and length of faults was episodic, and every ＇episode＇ experienced three periods, strain-accumulation period, quick fault-increment period and strain-adjustment period. The more complex the shape of the boundary fault, the higher the strain increment each ＇episode＇ experienced. Different extensional modes resulted in different fault-increment patterns. The horizontal detachment extensional mode has the ＇linear＇ style of fault-increment pattern, while the extensional mode controlled by a listric fault has the ＇stepwise＇ style of fault-increment pattern, and the extensional mode controlled by a ramp-flat boundary fault has the ＇stepwise-linear＇ style of fault-increment pattern. These fault-increment patterns given above could provide a theoretical method of fault interpretation and fracture prediction in extensional basins.展开更多
基金supported by China National Major Project of Oil and Gas (2011ZX05023-004-012, 2011ZX05006-006-02-01)China Natural Science Foundation (Grant No. 40772086)
文摘Fault formation and evolution in the presence of multiple pre-existing weaknesses has not been investigated extensively in rift basins. The fault systems of Weixinan Sag, Beibuwan Basin of China, which is fully covered with high-precision 3-D seismic data and is rich in oil-gas resources, have been successfully reproduced by sandbox modeling in this study with inclusion of multiple pre-existing weaknesses in the experimental model. The basic characteristics of fault formation and evolution revealed by sandbox modeling are as follows. 1） Weakness-reactivation faults and weakness-related faults are formed much earlier than the distant-weakness faults （faults far away from and with little or no relationship to the weakness）. 2） Weakness-reactivation faults and weakness-related faults develop mainly along or parallel to a pre-existing weakness, while distant-weakness faults develop nearly perpendicular to the extension direction. A complicated fault system can be formed in a fixed direction of extension with the existence of multiple pre-existing weaknesses, and the complicated fault system in the Weixinan Sag formed gradually in a nearly N-S direction with multiple pre-existing weaknesses. 3） The increase in the length and number of faults is closely tied to the nature of pre-existing weaknesses. The sandbox model may provide a new clue to detailed fault system research for oil and gas exploration in rift basins.
文摘Three series of sandbox modeling experiments were performed to study the fault-increment pattern in extensional basins. Experimental results showed that the tectonic action mode of boundaries and the shape of major boundary faults control the formation and evolution of faults in extensional basins. In the process of extensional deformation, the increase in the number and length of faults was episodic, and every ＇episode＇ experienced three periods, strain-accumulation period, quick fault-increment period and strain-adjustment period. The more complex the shape of the boundary fault, the higher the strain increment each ＇episode＇ experienced. Different extensional modes resulted in different fault-increment patterns. The horizontal detachment extensional mode has the ＇linear＇ style of fault-increment pattern, while the extensional mode controlled by a listric fault has the ＇stepwise＇ style of fault-increment pattern, and the extensional mode controlled by a ramp-flat boundary fault has the ＇stepwise-linear＇ style of fault-increment pattern. These fault-increment patterns given above could provide a theoretical method of fault interpretation and fracture prediction in extensional basins.
