Characteristics of Dengying Fm sedimentary sequence in the central-western Sichuan Basin and their controlling effect on gas accumulation

A large gas reservoir in the Sinian Dengying Fm was recently discovered in Anyue area, central Sichuan Basin. In order to promote the oil and gas exploration in this area, it is of great significance to sustainably deepen the analysis on its high-quality reservoir distribution and source-reservoir assemblage. In this paper, a series of studies were performed on the sequence frameworks and sedimentary filling evolution characteristics of the Dengying Fm in central-western Sichuan Basin, and their controlling effects on the reservoir development and distribution and source-reservoir assemblage during its sedimentation. It is shown that the Deyang-Anyue paleo-rift is, on the whole, distributed in a NW direction, and is morphologically wide and steep in the north, but narrow and gentle in the south. There are two rift boundaries of the second and fourth members of Dengying Fm (Deng 2 Member and Deng 4 Member, respectively). The rift of Deng 2 Member is distributed in the shape of “U” in Deyang-Neijiang area. Dengying Fm is divided into four third-order sequences (SQ1-SQ4). In SQ3 of Gaoshiti-Moxi area, central Sichuan Basin, a complete sedimentation reflection structure of transgressive overlap and regressive progradation can be identified with early-middle Deng 4 Member platform margin. The paleo-rift was in embryo before the sedimentation of Sinian, so the sedimentary filling and lithofacies distribution of the Sinian were influenced by the inherited activities of pre-Sinian rifts. The favorable distribution zones of high-quality reservoirs are located at the rift margins of Deng 2 and Deng 4 Members that were formed respectively during the SQ2 and SQ4 and the platform margin of early Deng 4 Member that was formed during the SQ3. A laterally connected source-reservoir assemblage occurs at the margins of Deng 2 and Deng 4 Members around the Lower Cambrian source rocks of the paleo-rift. The northwestward extending margin zone along the eastern flank of the paleo-rift shows a good potential for hydrocarbon accumulation.