--> Physical Analogue Models and Numerical Simulation to Constrain Forming Mechanism of Penetrative Strikeslip Faults

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Physical Analogue Models and Numerical Simulation to Constrain Forming Mechanism of Penetrative Strikeslip Faults

Abstract

The north slope of Tazhong uplift in central Tarim basin has been proved a petroliferous area by recent abundant achievements of hydrocarbon exploration. Due to the influence of multistage and complicated tectonic movement, however, result in complicated structural-sedimentary evolution framework, and further affected hydrocarbon generation, migration, accumulation and transformation. The analysis of discovered hydrocarbon reservoir and failure wells shows that penetrative strike-slip faults are closely related to the reservoir and the hydrocarbon accumulation. In order to deeply understand the segmentation characteristic of structural styles of penetrative strike-slip faults and its forming mechanism and to reveal the influence of different structural styles of penetrative strike-slip faults on reservoir reconstruction, a series of sandbox physical analogue models on structural styles and formation mechanism of penetrative strike-slip faults were designed based on fine seismic interpretation and regional tectonic evolution analysis, and the numerical simulation of the stress field of the fracture distribution is carried out. The results show that 1) the influence of single stress can lead to the different structural styles along the direction of the penetrative strike-slip fault; 2) in the pull apart area, it shows that normal faults or small tensional fractures are more developed, and in the compression joint, which shows local transpression, thrust faults or small shear fractures; 3) in the pull apart segment, fracture density is obviously increased, which is favorable to the reservoir. The segmentation of penetrative strike-slip faults is bound to influence and control the activity of reservoir fluid, tensional fractures are conductive to high temperature hydrothermal stay and further promote the dissolution of carbonate rocks, and it is also the preferential place of hydrocarbon injection and accumulation. The results of this study have a certain practical significance on finding high quality reservoir, and it also has important realistic meaning to reduce the cost of exploration in the new situation.