Characteristics of the temperature–pressure field evolution of Middle Permian system in the northwest of Sichuan Basin

Abstract

The Sichuan Basin is one of the richest oil and gas basins in China. The Middle Permian units (the Qixia and Maokou Formations) in the northwest Sichuan Basin have great potential for gas exploration. A new thermal history was reconstructed using the integrated thermal indicators of apatite and zircon (uranium–thorium)/helium ages, zircon fission tracks, and vitrinite reflectance data. The modeled results indicated that the northwest Sichuan Basin experienced gradual cooling, during which the heat flow at Middle Permian time (70–90 mW/m 2 ) decreased to its current level of approximately 50 mW/m 2 . This study used basin modeling to reconstruct the paleo-pressure, which showed that the Middle Permian in the northwest Sichuan Basin generally developed overpressure. The pressure evolution of the Middle Permian can be divided into three stages: (1) a slight overpressure stage (T 2 –T 3 ), (2) an intensive overpressure stage (J 1 –K 2 ), and (3) an overpressure reduction stage (K 2 –present). Oil cracking and rapid tectonic subsidence are key factors that affect overpressure. The evolution of temperature–pressure has great significance with respect to hydrocarbon accumulation.