Three-dimensional geometrical and kinematic characteristics of boundary faults in Minfeng subsag Dongying Sag, Bohai Bay Basin

Abstract

Under the constraint of high-precision 3D seismic data and well data, through 2D and 3D analysis, the geometrical and kinematic characteristics of the boundary faults of Minfeng subsag, Jiyang depression, Bohai Bay Basin were analyzed. According to the strike, dip and dip-angle, the boundary fault of the study area is divided into three segments, i.e. west, center and east. It is thought that the fault surface is a curved surface consisting of several inclined surfaces linked by axial plane (i.e. transversal axial plane and vertical axial plane), and a three-dimensional geometry model of the boundary fault was built. The Minfeng boundary fault surface is divided into 11 subzones by 6 transversal axial planes and 4 vertical axial planes. The kinematic characteristics of the Minfeng boundary fault were analyzed on the basis of the normal fault-bend folds theory, and the three balanced cross-sections in west, central and east segments are compared. It is concluded that the Minfeng boundary fault mainly experienced rotary motion in its early stage of development, and moved in the inclined shear fault-bend fold pattern in the late stage. There developed listric fault in the central segement, seat type normal faults in east and west segments of the Minfeng boundary fault. The activity intensity of west and central faults was affected by Shengbei fault, the rotation degree of Minfeng boundary fault weakens from west to east. The reverse degree of the Minfeng boundary fault in creased from west to east at the end of the Paleogene Dongying Formation deposition. Key words: Dongying Sag, Minfeng subsag, boundary fault, 3D, geometrical features, kinematics, fault-bend fold, balanced cross- section