Petroleum Reservoir Evaluation and Development ›› 2021, Vol. 11 ›› Issue (5): 659-668.doi: 10.13809/j.cnki.cn32-1825/te.2021.05.001

• Specialist Forum •     Next Articles

Exploration of accumulation conditions of natural gas hydrate reservoirs in the South China Sea Block

KANG Yuzhu()   

  1. Sinopec Exploration & Production Research Institute, Beijing 100083, China
  • Received:2021-03-01 Online:2021-10-12 Published:2021-10-26

Abstract:

In China, the South China Sea Block has great potential of natural gas hydrate resources. At present, the pilot production of natural gas hydrate has been successfully conducted in the Shenhu area, the northern part of the South China Sea, indicating a major breakthrough in hydrate exploration. However, the geological conditions, accumulation factors and hydrate distribution are still unclear, so it is necessary to further study the formation conditions and distribution of natural gas hydrate. Based on the oil and gas exploration data and the achievements of oil, gas and natural gas hydrate in the South China Sea, the accumulation conditions and distribution of natural gas hydrate in the South China Sea have been discussed in the aspects of sedimentation, structure, oil and gas conditions and hydrate enrichment factors. The results show that: ① The thin crustal thickness and high heat flow value of the South China Sea Block are conducive to the thermal evolution of organic matter; ② The sedimentary facies of delta, alluvial fan, turbidite fan and slump fan are developed in the meso-Cenozoic, and the sand and mud are interbedded, which provides favourable conditions for gas hydrate accumulation; ③ The diverse and complex structure elements such as tensional or transtensional fault system can form migration channel for natural gas hydrate; ④ Four types of gas resources such as biogas, shallow-layer pyrolysis gas, middle-deep pyrolysis gas and gas field gas are developed, which provide a good material basis for gas hydrate accumulation; ⑤ Uplifts and depressions are favorable locations for gas hydrate accumulation. The results not only provide the guidance for the natural gas hydrate exploration and development, but also provide scientific evidence for the natural gas hydrate exploration in other sea areas.

Key words: natural gas hydrate, accumulation conditions, distribution characteristics, the South China Sea Block, type of gas source

CLC Number: 

  • TE51