Focused fluid flow systems and their implications for hydrocarbon and gas hydrate accumulations in the deep-water basins of the northern South China Sea

Abstract

The types, influencing factors and their evolutions of focused fluid flow systems in the northern South China Sea (SCS) are deeply studied based on high-resolution 3D and 2D seismic data. These systems include mud volcanoes, mud diapirs, gas chimneys, pipes, polygonal faults and tectonic faults. They are influenced by both tectonism and sedimentation. The gas chimneys, mud diapirs and mud volcanoes may have relationship of unidirectional evolution and we can separate them from whether the sediments are involved and whether the sediments or fluids erupt into the seawater or not. Finally, a development model of focused fluid flow systems in the northern SCS is proposed. Because their great importance for the deep-water resource exploration (hydrocarbon and gas hydrate), they should receive much attention from now on.