Geothermometry and geobarometry of overpressured environments in Qiongdongnan Basin, South China Sea

We demonstrate the use of PVT fluid inclusion modelling in the calculation of palaeofluid formation pressures, using samples from the YC21-1-1 and YC21-1-4 wells in the YC21-1 structural closure; Qiongdongnan Basin, South China Sea. Homogenisation temperatures and gas/liquid ratios were measured in aqueous fluid inclusions, and associated light hydrocarbon/CO(2)-bearing inclusions, and their compositions were determined using a crushing technique. The VTFLINC software was used to construct P-T phase diagrams that enabled derivation of the minimum trapping pressure for each order of fluid inclusion. Through the projection of average homogenisation temperatures (155, 185.5 and 204.5degreesC) for three orders of fluid inclusion on the thermal-burial history diagram of the Oligocene Yacheng and Lingshui formations, their trapping times were constrained at 4.3, 2.1 and 1.8 Ma, respectively. The formation pressure coefficient, the ratio of fluid pressure/hydrostatic pressure established by PVT modelling coupled with DST data, demonstrates that one and a half cycles of pressure increase-discharge developed in the Yacheng and Lingshui formations for about 4.3 Ma. In comparison, the residual formation pressure determined by 2D numerical modelling in the centre of LeDong depression shows two and a half pressure increase-discharge cycles for about 28 Ma. The two different methods suggest that a high fluid potential in the Oligocene reservoir of the YC21-1 structure developed at two critical stages for regional oil and natural gas migration and accumulation (5.8 and 2.0 Ma, respectively). Natural gas exploration in this area is therefore not advisable.