THE DEPOSITIONAL CHARACTERISTICS AND OIL POTENTIAL OF PALEO PEARL RIVER DELTA SYSTEMS IN THE PEARL RIVER MOUTH BASIN, SOUTH CHINA SEA

Delta systems in the Zhuhai, Zhujiang and Hanjiang formations are interpreted as having formed during periods of sea-level rise from the late Oligocene to mid-Miocene (30-10.5 My B.P.). Deltas in the Zhuhai Formation were developed in a shallow water environment on a sandy, wave- or fluvial-dominated coasts. Thick and blanket-like sandstones are common but mudstones are infrequent. Oil-bearing zones have been found only in the upper part of the systems, overlain by mudstone of the Zhujiang Formation. Deltas in the Zhujiang Formation are interpreted as having formed in a deeper water environment on sandy, wave- or fluvial-dominated coasts. Carbonate platforms started growing on the Dongsha massif as the sea-level slowly rose. The moderate sandstone/mudstone ratio in the delta systems and a zone of secondary porosity in the carbonate rocks provide an excellent reservoir rock and seal rock for the basin. Deltas in the Lower Hanjiang Formation are similar to those of the Zhujiang Formation, but the upper part of the Formation is interpreted as having formed in a shelf environment; the thick shelf mudstone, interbedded with offshore bar sandstones, would be one of the better regional seal rocks in the study area. No carbonate rock developed on the Dongsha massif due to the rapid rise in sea-level. All delta systems from the Zhuhai to the Zhujiang Formation are stacked in an onlap pattern indicating a more and more expanding marine transgression, which was caused by eustatic sea-level rise. This marine transgression is almost unique and contrasts to the progradational (offlap) pattern of Cenozoic delta systems in the Gulf of Mexico. It resulted in thick sandstone deposits, immature or poorly mature source rock and no ductile mudstones, with no growth faults or rollover structures. Hydrocarbons generated from Eocene-Oligocene lacustrine source rocks are trapped by drape structures related to local basement highs or by carbonate rock with secondary porosity. Most of the remaining undiscovered reserves in the basin will be found in non-structural, subtle traps, especially stratigraphic traps.