Geological characteristics and forming conditions of the platform margin large reef-shoal gas province in the Sichuan Basin

The large gas province of platform margin reefs and shoals of the Permian-Triassic ChangxingFormation-Feixianguan Formation in the Sichuan Basin is studied as an example to describe the forming conditions and geological characteristics of large strip-like gas provinces of platform margin reefs and shoals. The Sichuan Basin experienced cratonic rifting and basement faulting during the Late Permian. Within a widespread regional ramp, a paleogeomorphology pattern of “three highs and three depressions” were formed. The three negative relieves are, respectively, Chengkou-Eʹxi trough, Kaijiang-Liangping trough, and Nanchong-Mianyang intraplatform depression, and the three topographic highs are Fengjie-Zhenba platform flat, Shizhu-Yilong platform flat, and Suining-Moxi platform flat. In the transitional areas between platform flats and troughs, large-scale platform margin reef-shoal complexes were developed under high energy environment. Diagenetic processes, such as early stage dissolution, seepage-reflux dolomitization and burial dissolution, contributed to porosity improvement in high-quality dolomite reservoirs along platform margins. High mature source rocks and faults developed within the platform margin reef-shoal complexes, forming better hydrocarbon accumulation conditions than those of intraplatform reefs and shoals. Therefore, the distribution of platform margins controlled that of gas accumulation zones. Paleogeography background of large platform, extensive dolomitization and solution in reef-shoal reservoirs, good underlying and lateral adjacent source rocks, strip assemblages of lithological, structural, and litho-structural oil and gas traps are the four basic elements that determine the formation and distribution of large strip-like gas provinces. The configuration of the four elements in the studied area shows promising exploration prospects of large platform margin oil and gas provinces.