Sedimentary evolution and hydrocarbon accumulation in the Baiyun depression, Zhujiangkou Basin

The present paper presented some new approaches to fathom the sedimentary evolution and hydrocarbon accumulation in the Baiyun depression, Zhujiangkou Basin with the aid of sedimentological and sequence stratigraphic methods referenced to the existing cores, well logs, geophysical and palaeontological data. The combination of many factors such as tectonic events, climatic changes, sediment supply, palaeogeographic features and sea-level changes may be responsible for the formation of unique sedimentary and stacking patterns in the Baiyun depression, which may, in turn, have an important effect on the formation and distribution of the deepwater hydrocarbon accumulation. Other aspects focus on the approaches of the genetic affiliation between hydrocarbon potential, reservoir-seal associations, deep-water sedimentary systems and hydrocarbon accumulation and migration in the Baiyun depression. The source rocks in the Enping Formation contribute to the hydrocarbons accumulated in the deep-water fan traps. The key areas for hydrocarbon exploration are delineated dominantly in the deep-water fan reservoir rocks and associated traps, and subordinately in the shallow-water sandstones older than 23.8 Ma and large-scale drape structures in the Basin.