Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Numerical Simulation of Pore Pressure Change Caused by Hydrocarbon Generation in Chezhen Sag and Its Influence on Hydrocarbon Accumulation

Version 1 : Received: 22 June 2023 / Approved: 23 June 2023 / Online: 23 June 2023 (12:02:11 CEST)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

Wang, M.; Luo, G.; Qin, F.; Liao, Z.; Zhou, S.; Yang, N. Numerical Simulation of Pore Pressure Change Caused by Hydrocarbon Generation in Chezhen Sag and Its Influence on Hydrocarbon Accumulation. Processes 2023, 11, 1976. Wang, M.; Luo, G.; Qin, F.; Liao, Z.; Zhou, S.; Yang, N. Numerical Simulation of Pore Pressure Change Caused by Hydrocarbon Generation in Chezhen Sag and Its Influence on Hydrocarbon Accumulation. Processes 2023, 11, 1976.

Abstract

Pore fluid pressure is very important to the generation, migration and accumulation of petroleum. The previous studies indicate that the Chezhen sag region is typically characterized by pore fluid overpressure (the difference between pore fluid pressure and hydrostatic pressure). To date, the formation mechanism of pore overpressure and the accumulation regularity of “upper source-lower reservoir” type in this region remains unknown. In order to investigate these problems, a 2-D finite element model is established with regards to the fluid-solid coupling in Chegu 25 block of Chezhen depression, fully considering the existing seismic, logging data and regional tectonic stress environment. Meanwhile, we calculate the abnormal overpressure generated at the source rock during hydrocarbon generation and the process of hydrocarbon migration and accumulation along the faults, analyzing the dynamic conditions of hydrocarbon downward accumulation. The results show that overpressure can accelerate migration of hydrocarbon and improve the efficiency of hydrocarbon accumulation. However, when the overpressure is too large, tensile fractures and shear fractures may occur, resulting in hydrocarbon dissipation, and changing the results of oil and gas accumulation. The overpressure at the source rock is mainly caused by hydrocarbon generation, while the overpressure at the reservoir is primarily created by unbalanced compaction. As the dominant channel of hydrocarbon migration, overpressure will change the direction and path of hydrocarbon migration in the fault. Therefore, the “upper source-lower reservoir” hydrocarbon accumulation model is strongly explained by the high permeability of faults and the presence overpressure. In summary, the simulated overpressure results are in good agreement with the mud weight equivalent overpressure and the drill stem tests (DSTs).

Keywords

Overpressure; Hydrocarbon downward migration; “Upper source-lower reservoir”; Numerical simulation; Chezhen Sag

Subject

Environmental and Earth Sciences, Geophysics and Geology

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