Reservoir Overpressure in the Mahu Sag, Northwestern Junggar Basin, China: Characteristics and Controlling Factors

Abstract

Reservoirs with overpressure are of great importance for petroleum exploration where commercial production can be usually obtained. Studying the distribution characteristics and controlling factors of reservoir overpressure is crucial for further petroleum exploration. In this study, we investigate the vertical and planar distribution of reservoir overpressure in the Mahu sag, northwestern Junggar basin by analyzing measured pressure data from well testing of oil reservoirs. In the Baikouquan-Jiamuhe Formation, reservoir overpressure is widely distributed, and the pressure coefficient increases from the margin to the center of the sag and generally increases with the increasing altitude. Crossplot analysis of density and velocity in the Triassic strata and Permian Fengcheng Formation is conducted to further investigate the influence of undercompaction in the Mahu sag for the first time. The result suggests that undercompaction has little influence on reservoir overpressure, whereas fluid charging may play a vital role in the development of overpressure. Our research further conducted the analyses of distribution of source rocks and oil-source correlation. The results further confirmed that hydrocarbon generates from the Fengcheng Formation and charges into other reservoirs, suggesting that hydrocarbon generation and fluid charging are the main mechanism of reservoir overpressure.