Structural characteristics and development model of fluid diapirs within the structural transition zone, northern South China Sea

Fluid diapirs are widespread in the northern South China Sea (SCS), are significant indicators of the existence and distribution of hydrocarbons and natural gas hydrates and are of great petroleum geological significance. Based on high-precision 3D seismic and drilling data, this paper analyses the tectonic features and genetic mechanism of a fluid diapir zone in the northern SCS and a development model of fluid diapirs is proposed herein. Studies have revealed that the northern SCS large-scale fluid diapir zone is located within a concealed structural transition zone, which is consistent with the spatial distribution location and direction of a concealed structural transition zone and that the formation of a fluid diapir zone is strongly influenced by the structural transition zone. Fluid diapirs are large continuously spreading bright reflection zones in shallow surface layers and are downwards converging high-variance ribbons in middle and shallow layers, all of which are spreading in a NW–NNW orientation on the plane. The profile shows a conical or mushroom-shaped shape that converges from shallow to deep, with a height of approximately 7 km and is characterized by a compound gas chimney fuzzy zone. The main body of the concealed structural transition zone is a slope structure and is flanked by large-scale NW–NNW-oriented fault systems. Minor en echelon spreading NW–NNW-oriented faults and fractures are developed within the structural transition zone and are soft linkages that match well with the distribution direction and location of the fluid diapirs. On the profile, the overall display is a composite flower-like structure dispersed from deep to shallow, which belongs to a large strike-slip fault zone with a tectonic transformation effect. A comprehensive analysis suggests that the formation and development of the structural transition zone are mainly controlled by pre-existing structures in the basement and that minor faults, fractures and slope zones within the structural transition zone serve as dominant pathways for the migration of deep overpressure fluids and gas hydrates. Consequently, the concealed structural transition zone provides favourable conditions for fluid diapirs to develop. Moreover, the stratigraphic overpressure systems mainly caused by gas generation provided the main driving force for the formation of fluid diapirs. Obviously, the development location, distribution direction, formation and evolution of the northern SCS fluid diapirs are jointly controlled by internal minor faults and fractures of the Eocene-Miocene structural transition zone and the overpressure of the rifting period after the Pliocene. The main development period of the northern SCS large-scale fluid diapirs was the second phase of the Dongsha Movement. During the exploration of gas hydrates and hydrocarbons in the Pearl River Mouth Basin, it is essential to consider the mutually restricting relationships between fluid diapir structures and gas hydrates and hydrocarbons.