Lithologic Reservoirs ›› 2026, Vol. 38 ›› Issue (3): 141-148.doi: 10.12108/yxyqc.20260312

• PETROLEUM EXPLORATION • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Structural framework and hydrocarbon accumulation models of Zhongjiannan Basin in the western edge of the South China Sea

YANG Jinhai1(), YU Yixin2,3(), OUYANG Jie1, XU Maguang1, JIN Feng1, ZHANG Yuhang4, YU Lang2,3   

  1. 1 Hainan Branch of CNOOC (China) Co.,Ltd., Haikou 570312, China
    2 State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources and Engineering, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China
    3 College of Geosciences, China University of Petroleum, Beijing 102249, China
    4 School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Xi’an Shiyou University, Xi’an 710065, China
  • Received:2025-09-26 Revised:2025-12-01 Online:2026-05-01 Published:2026-02-09

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Abstract:

The low exploration level of Zhongjiannan Basin in the western edge of the South China Sea has constrained the progress of hydrocarbon exploration. By integrating 2D seismic data and exploration achivement from different periods in Zhongjiannan Basin, stratigraphic development characteristics and structural patterns of Miocene to Eocene were systematically analyzed, and geological conditions and hydrocarbon accumulation mo-dels were explored. The results show that： （1） Five major regional unconformities, such as the bottom boundary of Eocene, the bottom boundary of Miocene Sanya Foumation, Rizhao Formation bottom boundary, Chongyun Formation bottom boundary, and the bottom boundary of Pliocene Zhongjian Formation, are developed in Zhongjiannan Basin. Extensional and strike-slip faults are mainly distributed in the near SN, NE, and NW directions. And the near SN and NE-trending faults control the pattern of uplifts and depressions in the basin. Upon that, Zhongjiannan Basin can be divided into six first-order structural units of “three depressions, two uplifts, and one slope”. （2） There are three main sets of hydrocarbon source rocks developed in Zhongjiannan Basin, including middle Eocene lacustrine source rocks, Upper Eocene-Oligocene lacustrine and marine-terrestrial source rocks, and Lower-Middle Miocene marine source rocks. Hydrocarbon migrate laterally along structural ridges and large-scale unconformities, and transport vertically along major oil-source faults. Structures, strata, and lithology under the regional mudstone cover of Upper Neogene and Quaternary are favorable places for hydrocarbon enrichment and accumulation. The structural and stratigraphic traps of the western slope, northern uplift, and southern uplift, lithological trap groups of the northern and central depressions, as well as reef reservoirs developed in the high parts of local structures of the western slope and central uplift, all have certain exploration potential.

Key words: unconformity, fault system, structural units division, lateral migration, oil-source fault, reef, lithologic reservoir, Zhongjiannan Basin, western edge of the South China Sea

CLC Number: 

  • TE122.1

Fig. 1

Structural outlines （a） and comprehensive stratigraphic column of Cenozoic （b） of Zhongjiannan Basin in the South China Sea"

Fig. 2

Regional seismic and geological profiles of Zhongjiannan Basin"

Fig. 3

Time domain burial depths of main stratigraphic interfaces of Zhongjiannan Basin"

Fig. 4

Thickness maps of strata in different periods of Zhongjiannan Basin（time domain）"

Fig. 5

Fault systems in Zhongjiannan Basin"

Fig. 6

Development characteristics of strike-slip faults in the western edge of Zhongjiannan Basin"

Fig. 7

Seismic profiles across well CVX-1X of Zhongjiannan Basin"

Fig. 8

Structural units division of Zhongjiannan Basin"

Fig. 9

Hydrocarbon accumulation models of Zhongjiannan Basin"

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