Development and controlling factors of Upper Oligocene–Lower Miocene carbonate platforms and reefs in the Liyue Basin, South China Sea. (2nd October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Du, Xuebin; Lu, Yongchao; Li, Xiangquan; Li, Jiangtao
• Editors: Somerville, I.D.
• Is Part Of: Geological journal. Volume 54:Number 6(2019)
• Page Start: 3272
• Page End: 3285
• Publication Date: 2018-10-02
• Subjects: carbonate platforms -- controlling factors -- Liyue Basin -- reef development -- South China Sea; Geology -- Periodicals; 551
• DOI: 10.1002/gj.3324
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0072-1050

Abstract

Abstract : The architecture and distribution of Late Oligocene–Early Miocene carbonate platforms and reefs are studied for the first time, using reprocessed 2D seismic data in the Liyue Basin, southern South China Sea. The reef complexes developed at higher positions of fault block platform and horst platform. Fault block platforms are the most important for reef development. In addition, most reefs developed in the Northern I Sag, and a few developed in the Middle Uplift. The growth processes of reefs on the platform were subdivided into six reef‐building units and two building stages. The first stage, including units 1–3, displayed slow backstepping and rapid keep up. The second stage was a rapid backstepping process that included the reef‐building units 4–6. Palaeogeomorphology, sea‐level fluctuations, and later volcanic activities were the main controls for reef occurrence. Palaeogeomorphology provided the initial topography for reef growth, and sea‐level fluctuations in combination with tectonic activity influenced reef development including growth and changing facies. Later volcanoes have strongly destroyed the pre‐existing carbonate platforms and reefs. By comparing with the carbonate reservoirs properties of adjacent regions, it is considered there is great potential for oil and gas exploration in the Liyue Basin.