From apex to shoreline: fluvio-deltaic architecture for the Holocene Rhine–Meuse delta, the Netherlands

Despite extensive research on alluvial architecture, there is still a pressing need for data from modern fluvio-deltaic environments. Previous research in the fluvial-dominated proximal and central Rhine–Meuse delta (the Netherlands) has yielded clear spatial trends in alluvial architecture. In this paper, we include the backwater length to establish architectural trends from apex to shoreline. Channel-belt sand body width / thickness ratios and interconnectedness were determined, and the proportions of fluvial channel-belt deposits, fluvial overbank deposits, organics and intertidal deposits were calculated for the complete fluvio-deltaic wedge based on high-resolution geological cross sections. It was found that the average width / thickness ratio of channel-belt sand bodies in the proximal delta is 5 times higher than in the distal delta. Other down-valley trends include an 80 % decrease in the channel deposit proportion (CDP) and a near-constant proportion of overbank deposits. Additionally, interconnectedness in the proximal delta is 3 times higher than in the distal delta. Based on the Rhine–Meuse dataset, we propose a linear empirical function to model the spatial variability of CDP. It is argued that this relationship is driven by four key factors: channel lateral-migration rate, channel-belt longevity, creation of accommodation space and inherited floodplain width. Additionally, it is established that the sensitivity of CDP to changes in the ratio between channel-belt sand body width and floodplain width (normalized channel-belt sand body width) varies spatially and is greatest in the central and distal delta. Furthermore, the proportion of fluvial channel-belt sands is generally an appropriate proxy for the total sand content of fluvio-deltaic successions, although its suitability as a total sand indicator rapidly fades in the distal delta. Characteristics of the backwater zone of the Rhine–Meuse delta are (1) sand body width / thickness ratios that are lower as a consequence of channel narrowing (not deepening), (2) a rapid increase and then a drop in the organic proportion, (3) an increase in the total sand proportion towards the shoreline, and (4) a drop in the connectedness ratio. For this paper, unique high-resolution quantitative data and spatial trends of the alluvial architecture are presented for an entire delta, providing data that can be used to further improve existing fluvial stratigraphy models.

Stability Analysis of Surrounding Rock in Multi-Discontinuous Hydraulic Tunnel Based on Microseismic Monitoring

The diversion tunnel of a hydropower station is characterized by low quality surrounding rock and weak structural planes. During excavation, rock mass spalling and cracking frequently occur. To evaluate the stability of a rock mass during tunnel excavation, high-precision microseismic monitoring technology was introduced to carry out real-time monitoring. Based on the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of microseismic events, the main damage areas and their influencing factors of tunnel rock mass were studied. By analyzing the source characteristic parameters of the concentration area of microseismic activities, the rock fracture mechanism of the concentration area was revealed. The 3D numerical model of diversion tunnel was established, and the deformation characteristics of the rock mass under the control of different combination types of weak structural planes were obtained. The results showed that the microseismic event was active between 29 October 2020 and 6 November 2020, and the energy release increased sharply. The main damage areas of the rock mass were located at Stakes K0 + 500–K0 + 600 m. Microseismic source parameters revealed that shear failure or fault-slip failure induced by geological structures had an important influence on the stability of the surrounding rock. The numerical simulation results were consistent with the microseismic monitoring results and indicated that among the three kinds of structural plane combination types, including “upright triangle”, “inverted triangle” and “nearly parallel”, the “upright triangle” structure had the most significant influence on the stability of the surrounding rock. In addition, the maximum displacement of the surrounding rock had a trend of lateral migration to the larger dip angle in the three combined structural plane types. The research results will provide significant references for the safety evaluation and construction design of similar tunnels.

About characteristic features of naftides in connection with the process of formation of deposits

Studies have been carried out to assess the qualitative features of fluids, aimed at identifying the regularities in the differentiation of the properties of naphthides during the formation of hydrocarbon deposits outside anticlinal structures. Due to the exhaustion of hydrocarbon reserves associated with anticlinal traps, the main attention is paid to the composition of fluids confined specifically to non-anticlinal structures – to traps of a combined structure. Physicochemical properties, trace element (TE) composition, phase states of naphthides in deposits affected by hypergenetic or catagenetic processes have been analyzed using specific examples; in regions with a possible additional inflow of hydrocarbons (Romashkino group of fields in the Republic of Tatarstan); in the crystalline basement of sedimentary basins. The results of the analysis make it possible to predict the characteristic features of fluids in traps of various types at certain levels of the processes of oil formation, secondary transformation and destruction of accumulations, mainly due to the tectonic regime of the sedimentary basin. With prolonged lateral migration, at great depths with good isolation from surface weathering agents, light oils, depleted in TE, more often of nickel specialization, are found in lithologically and stratigraphically screened traps, and gas condensate accumulations are possible. At shallow depths with poor regional or local seals, heavy, highly viscous hypergene-transformed oils, natural bitumens with high concentrations of industrially significant metals V, Ni, Co, Mo Cd, U were found in traps of pinch-out zones and various types of trap screening. tectonically-screened traps) with a multiphase filling of traps and, at the same time, the influence and inflow of deep ones, i.e. more catagenically transformed fluids, it is possible to detect light oils of the nickel type or gas condensates enriched with elements of “magmatic emanations” – As, Hg, Al, B, rare earth elements. Oils filling combined traps in the crystalline basement within platform oil and gas basins, as a rule, do not differ in their compositional peculiarities in comparison with oils in overlying or adjacent parts of the sedimentary section.

Oil as the result of lithogenesis complicated by intensification of tectonic-hydrothermal activity (on the example of Western Siberia)

The paper is meant to prove that structural reconstruction of riftogenic basins is accompanied by the intensification of tectonichydrothermal activity. It controls the mobility of gaseous-liquid hydrocarbons during their primary and lateral migration in the process of deposit formation. The intensity index of tectonic-hydrothermal activation is equal to the ratio of maximum paleotemperatures of gaseous-liquid inclusions to the paleotemperatures calculated from vitrinite reflectance values. This parameter determined in the same intervals of a geologic section reflects the level of paleothermal incongruity in the natural system. It can be used to make predictive estimates of the areas for hydrocarbon materials. The values of this parameter vary in the range of 1.5–2.5 in promising riftogenic areas with the source rocks in the temperature zone of 80–160°С due to conducive heating.

New Detrital Apatite Fission Track Thermochronological Constraints on the Meso-Cenozoic Tectono-Thermal Evolution of the Micangshan-Dabashan Tectonic Belt, Central China

The Micangshan-Dabashan tectonic belt, located in the southern Qinling-Dabie Orogen near the northeastern Tibetan Plateau, is a crucial area for understanding the processes and mechanisms of orogenesis. Previous studies have been focused on the cooling process via thermochronology and the mechanism and process of basement uplift have been investigated. However, the coupling process of basement exhumation and sedimentary cap cooling is unclear. The tectono-thermal history constrained by the detrital apatite fission track (AFT) results could provide valuable information for understanding crustal evolution and the coupling process. In this study, we provided new detrital AFT thermochronology results from the Micangshan-Dabashan tectonic belt and obtained nine high-quality tectono-thermal models revealing the Meso-Cenozoic cooling histories. The AFT ages and lengths suggest that the cooling events in the Micangshan area were gradual from north (N) to south (S) and different uplift occurred on both sides of Micangshan massif. The cooling in Dabashan tectonic zone was gradual from northeast (NS) to southwest (SW). The thermal histories show that a relatively rapid cooling since ca. 160 Ma occurred in the Micangshan-Dabashan tectonic belt, which was a response to the event of Qinling orogenic belt entered the intracontinental orogenic deformation. This cooling event may relate to the northeastward dextral compression of the Yangtze Block. The sedimentary cap of Cambriano-Ordovician strata responded positively to this rapid cooling event and entered the PAZ since ca. 63 Ma. The deep buried samples may be limited affected by climate and water erosion and the accelerated cooling was not obvious in the Late Cenozoic. Collectively, the cooling processes of basement and sedimentary cap in Micangshan-Dabashan tectonic belt were inconsistent. The uplift of the sedimentary area is not completely consistent with that of the basement under thrust and nappe action. The rigid basement was not always continuous and rapidly uplifted or mainly showed as lateral migration in a certain stage because of the different intensities and modes of thrust and nappe action, and the plastic sedimentary strata rapidly uplifted due to intense folding deformation.

Prediction of favorable areas for oil accumulation in outer-source tight reservoirs under the control of lateral migration distance: a case study of Baikouquan Formation, Mahu Sag, Junggar Basin, China

There is a starting pressure gradient (SPG) for oil migration in tight reservoirs (TRs), and the SPG and the migration force jointly control the migration distance of oil. The key factor of oil accumulation in the tight glutenite reservoir (TGR) of the Lower Triassic Baikouquan Formation (T1 b) in the Mahu Sag is whether the oil can be laterally charged into the TRs. To analyze the lateral migration distances of oil in TRs and predict the favorable accumulation areas for oil, we have carried out a physical simulation experiment of oil charging on glutenite reservoirs of T1 b for obtaining the SPG of oil migration and knowing the relationship between SPGs and the reservoirs’ physical property. According to the basin simulation, we have obtained the pressure evolution of the source rock formation as well as reservoir formation and the physical property evolution of the reservoir. Finally, we have predicated the favorable oil accumulation areas through calculating the distribution characteristics of SPGs as well as the theoretical distances of lateral migration of oil during the key oil accumulation period and considering the theoretical distance of the lateral migration of oil as the main controlling factor. Our results suggest that there is a SPG in the TGR of the T1 b and that there is a power function relationship between the SPG and the permeability. The theoretical lateral migration distance of oil in T1 b during the key oil accumulation period was the farthest in the northern sag, which was gradually shortened to the east, west, and south. In class I favorable areas, the reservoirs have good physical properties where overpressure has developed; in addition, the lateral migration distance of oil is far. Therefore, these are the most favorable areas for oil accumulation.

Features of filling reservoirs with hydrocarbons in the territories with a low maturity of the oil and gas parent rocks (a case study of Jurassic hydrocarbon traps in the Uvat district)

The article is devoted to the results of an analysis of geological factors that had a great influence on the filling of Jurassic traps with hydrocarbons. Based on the results of paleotectonic analysis, three key stages of reconstructions of the structural plans of sedimentary cover deposits were identified. Each stage was characterized not only by the appearance of new traps in the interval of Jurassic deposits, but also by the sinking of rocks of Bazhenov formation to a certain depth. It is revealed that in most of the territory of the Uvat district, Bazhenov formation didn't have time to fully realize its hydrocarbon-generating potential. In the Central and Eastern regions it entered the main zone of oil formation only in the Paleogene. Since the development of the relief of modern structural plans of Jurassic deposits in this area occurred in several stages, both the formation of traps and the lateral migration of hydrocarbons also occurred in stages. The first stage of migration occurred at the boundary of the lower and upper Cretaceous, the second stage occurred at the beginning of the Paleogene. As a result, the combined influence of lateral migration of hydrocarbons and the gradual formation of local structures in different areas of the Uvat district led to selective filling of Jurassic hydrocarbon traps.