Orderly hydrocarbon accumulation pattern in passive continental margin basins on both sides of the South Atlantic

WEN Zhixin, LIU Zuodong, XU Ning, LI Gang, HE Zhengjun, SONG Chengpeng

doi:10.11698/PED.20250266

Petroleum Exploration and Development >

0 20260219 - 20260219

DOI: https://doi.org/10.11698/PED.20250266

Orderly hydrocarbon accumulation pattern in passive continental margin basins on both sides of the South Atlantic

Expand

1. PetroChina Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration & Development, Beijing 100083, China;
2. State Key Laboratory of Continental Evolution and Early Life, Xi’an 7100693;
3. China National Oil and Gas Exploration and Development Corporation, Beijing 100034, China

Received date: 2025-05-04

Revised date: 2026-01-11

Online published: 2026-02-09

Fold

Abstract

Based on the plate tectonics theory, the sedimentary environment of paleotectonics along the passive continental margins on both sides of the South Atlantic Ocean was reconstructed using the paleomagnetic, regional geological, and seismic data, and the intrinsic relationships of hydrocarbon distribution in the passive continental margin basins and the differential hydrocarbon accumulation patterns were analyzed. Results show that basins on both sides of the South Atlantic experienced two major extensional phases—rift and depression—and four evolutionary stages: the Early Cretaceous Berriasian-Barremian intracontinental rift stage, the Early Cretaceous Aptian-Albian intercontinental rift to initial drift transition stage, the Late Cretaceous-Paleogene drift-related marine transgressive depression stage, and the Neogene-Quaternary drift-related marine regressive depression stage. According to basin architecture and superposition style, the passive-margin basins are classified into two principal types: rift-continental marginal depression composite and continental marginal depression-dominated. The basins in the study area were further divided into six types based on the development degree of salt tectonics and the type of dominant sand bodies, i.e. salt-free rift-continental marginal gravity-flow composite type, salt-free rift-continental marginal delta composite type, salt-bearing rift-continental marginal gravity flow composite type, delta-dominated salt-bearing rift-continental marginal delta composite type, gravity-flow-dominated continental marginal depression type, and delta-dominated continental marginal depression type. The salt-free rift-continental marginal gravity flow and delta composite basins are mainly distributed in the southern segment. The salt-bearing rift-continental marginal gravity flow and delta composite basins are mainly distributed in the central segment. The gravity-flow-dominated continental marginal depression basins are mainy distributed in the northern segment. The delta-dominated passive-margin depression basins are distributed in three segments from north to south. In different types of basins, distinctive depositional systems and source-reservoir-caprock assemblages were formed in each upper/lower structure layer. The superimposition and evolution of multi-phase prototype basins result in the orderly hydrocarbon accumulation vertically and laterally, which are “segmented along-strike, zoned across-strike, and layered vertically”.

Key words： South Atlantic Ocean; tectonic-sedimentary environment; passive continental margin basin; prototype basin; rift; depression; fault depression; pre-salt in deep water; large oil and gas field

Cite this article

WEN Zhixin, LIU Zuodong, XU Ning, LI Gang, HE Zhengjun, SONG Chengpeng . Orderly hydrocarbon accumulation pattern in passive continental margin basins on both sides of the South Atlantic[J]. Petroleum Exploration and Development, 0 : 20260219 -20260219 . DOI: 10.11698/PED.20250266

References

[1] 张功成, 屈红军, 张凤廉, 等. 全球深水油气重大新发现及启示[J]. 石油学报, 2019, 40(1): 1-34.
ZHANG Gongcheng, QU Hongjun, ZHANG Fenglian, et al.Major new discoveries of oil and gas in global deepwaters and enlightenment[J]. Acta Petrolei Sinica, 2019, 40(1): 1-34.
[2] 吕福亮, 贺训云, 武金云, 等. 全球深水油气勘探简论[J]. 海相油气地质, 2006, 11(4): 22-28.
LYU Fuliang, HE Xunyun, WU Jinyun, et al.Review of global deepwater oil and gas exploration[J]. Marine Origin Petroleum Geology, 2006, 11(4): 22-28.
[3] WEIMER P, SLATT R M, BOUROULLEC R.Introduction to the petroleum geology of deepwater settings[M]. Tulsa: American Association of Petroleum Geologists, 2007, 85: 1-13.
[4] 王陆新, 潘继平, 杨丽丽. 全球深水油气勘探开发现状与前景展望[J]. 石油科技论坛, 2020, 39(2): 31-37.
WANG Luxin, PAN Jiping, YANG Lili.Present conditions and prospect of global deepwater oil and gas exploration and development[J]. Petroleum Science and Technology Forum, 2020, 39(2): 31-37.
[5] IHS Energy. Basins monitor studies[DB/OL]. (2015-07-08)[2025-01-05]. https://pgeps.ihsenergy.com/GEPS/Display/14514866-4e74-4b8f-af22- bf4ff1e861af.
[6] IHS Energy. Geological background[DB/OL]. (2011-07-08)[2025-02-01]. https://pgeps.ihsenergy.com/GEPS/Display/8ffcc5a3-6c7d-4941-9a44- b602d6814f17.
[7] IHS Energy. International petroleum exploration and production database[DB/OL]. (2025-01-08) [2025-03-06]. https://edin.ihsenergy. com/portal/search.
[8] 何登发, 童晓光, 温志新, 等. 全球大油气田形成条件与分布规律[M]. 北京: 科学出版社, 2015.
HE Dengfa, TONG Xiaoguang, WEN Zhixin, et al.Formation and distribution of gaint oil and gas fields in the world[M]. Beijing: Science Press, 2015.
[9] 温志新, 童晓光, 王兆明, 等. 被动大陆边缘盆地油气地质特征[M]. 北京: 科学出版社, 2019.
WEN Zhixin, TONG Xiaoguang, WANG Zhaoming, et al.Petroleum geological characteristics of passive continental margin basins[M]. Beijing: Science Press, 2019.
[10] 张光亚, 温志新, 梁英波, 等. 全球被动陆缘盆地构造沉积与油气成藏: 以南大西洋周缘盆地为例[J]. 地学前缘, 2014, 21(3): 18-25.
ZHANG Guangya, WEN Zhixin, LIANG Yingbo, et al.Tectonic- sedimentary features and petroleum accumulation in the passive continental margin basins of South Atlantic peripheries[J]. Earth Science Frontiers, 2014, 21(3): 18-25.
[11] 温志新, 吴亚东, 边海光, 等. 南大西洋两岸被动陆缘盆地结构差异与大油气田分布[J]. 地学前缘, 2018, 25(4): 132-141.
WEN Zhixin, WU Yadong, BIAN Haiguang, et al.Variations in basin architecture and accumulation of giant oil and gas fields along the passive continent margins of the South Atlantic.[J]. Earth Science Frontiers, 2018, 25(4): 132-141.
[12] ASLANIAN D, MOULIN M, OLIVET J L, et al.Brazilian and African passive margins of the Central Segment of the South Atlantic Ocean: Kinematic constraints[J]. Tectonophysics, 2009, 468(1/2/3/4): 98-112.
[13] STAMPFLI G M, HOCHARD C, VÉRARD C, et al. The formation of Pangea[J]. Tectonophysics, 2013, 593: 1-19.
[14] BALLY A W, SNELSON S.Realms of subsidence[M]//MIALL A D. Facts and principles of world petroleum occurrence. Calgary: Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists, 1980: 9-94.
[15] BRADLEY D C.Passive margins through earth history[J]. Earth- Science Reviews, 2008, 91(1/2/3/4): 1-26.
[16] MODICA C J, BRUSH E R.Postrift sequence stratigraphy, paleogeography, and fill history of the deep-water Santos Basin, offshore southeast Brazil[J]. AAPG Bulletin, 2004, 88(7): 923-945.
[17] BLEY DE BRITO NEVES B. Main stages of the development of the sedimentary basins of South America and their relationship with the tectonics of supercontinents[J]. Gondwana Research, 2002, 5(1): 175-196.
[18] TORSVIK T H, CARLOS D, MOSAR J, et al. Global reconstructions and North Atlantic palaeogeography 400 Ma to recent[R/OL]. [2025-03-08]. http://www.earthdynamics.org/torsvik/torsvik-papers/ 2002/2002-Torsvik-etal-BATLAS.pdf.
[19] DORE A G, LUNDIN E R, BIRKELAND O, et al.The NE Atlantic margin; implications of late Mesozoic and Cenozoic events for hydrocarbon prospectivity[J]. Petroleum Geoscience, 1997, 3(2): 117-131.
[20] MANSPEIZER W.Chapter 3-Triassic-Jurassic rifting and opening of the Atlantic: An overview[J]. Developments in Geotectonics, 1988, 22: 41-79.
[21] MÜLLER R D, SDROLIAS M, GAINA C, et al. Age, spreading rates, and spreading asymmetry of the world’s ocean crust[J]. Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems, 2008, 9(4): 2-17.
[22] WILSON P G, TURNER J P, WESTBROOK G K.Structural architecture of the ocean-continent boundary at an oblique transform margin through deep-imaging seismic interpretation and gravity modelling: Equatorial Guinea, West Africa[J]. Tectonophysics, 2003, 374(1/2): 19-40.
[23] CONTRUCCI I, MATIAS L, MOULIN M, et al.Deep structure of the West African continental margin (Congo, Zaïre, Angola), between 5°S and 8°S, from reflection/refraction seismics and gravity data[J]. Geophysics Journal International, 2004, 158(2): 529-553.
[24] BLAICH O A, TSIKALAS F, FALEIDE J I.Northeastern Brazilian margin: Regional tectonic evolution based on integrated analysis of seismic reflection and potential field data and modelling[J]. Tectonophysics, 2008, 458(1/2/3/4): 51-67.
[25] MANSOUR M A, LUCAS M R.Breakup magmatism in the South Atlantic: Mechanisms and implications[J]. Earth-Science Reviews, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2025.105088.
[26] TORSVIK T H, ROUSSE S, LABAILS C, et al.A new scheme for the opening of the South Atlantic Ocean and the dissection of an Aptian salt basin[J]. Geophysical Journal International, 2009, 177(3): 1315-1333.
[27] O’CONNOR J M, DUNCAN R A. Evolution of the Walvis Ridge-Rio Grande Rise Hot Spot System: Implications for African and South American Plate motions over plumes[J]. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 1990, 95(B11): 17475-17502.
[28] BINKS R M, FAIRHEAD J D.A plate tectonic setting for Mesozoic rifts of West and Central Africa[J]. Tectonophysics, 1992, 213(1/2): 141-151.
[29] EDWARDS J D, SANTOGROSSI P A.Divergent/passive margin basins[M]. Tulsa: American Association of Petroleum Geologists, 1989: 1-252.
[30] BIARI Y, KLINGELHOEFER F, FRANKE D, et al.Structure and evolution of the Atlantic passive margins: A review of existing rifting models from wide-angle seismic data and kinematic reconstruction[J]. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 2021, 126: 104898.
[31] SCHIEFELBEIN C F, ZUMBERGE J E, CAMERON N C, et al.Geochemical comparison of crude oil along south Atlantic margins[M]//MELLO M R, KATZ B J. Petroleum systems of South Atlantic margins. Tulsa: American Association of Petroleum Geologists, 2000: 15-26.
[32] SZATMARI P.Habitat of petroleum along south Atlantic margins[M]// MELLO M R, KATZ B J. Petroleum systems of South Atlantic margins. Tulsa: American Association of Petroleum Geologists, 2000: 69-75.
[33] BROWNFIELD M E, CHARPENTIER R R.Geology and total petroleum systems of the West-Central Coastal province (7203), West Africa: Bulletin 2207-B[R]. Reston, VA: U.S. Geological Survey, 2006: 1-42.
[34] RÜPKE L H, SCHMID D W, HARTZ E H, et al. Basin modelling of a transform margin setting: Structural, thermal and hydrocarbon evolution of the Tano Basin, Ghana[J]. Petroleum Geoscience, 2010, 16(3): 283-298.
[35] 窦立荣, 温志新, 王兆明, 等. 桑托斯盆地盐下孤立碳酸盐台地沉积建造与深水大油田[J]. 石油勘探与开发, 2024, 51(4): 829-840.
DOU Lirong, WEN Zhixin, WANG Zhaoming, et al.Sedimentary build-ups of pre-salt isolated carbonate platforms and formation of deep-water giant oil fields in Santos Basin, Brazil[J]. Petroleum Exploration and Development, 2024, 51(4): 829-840.
[36] 温志新, 徐洪, 王兆明, 等. 被动大陆边缘盆地分类及其油气分布规律[J]. 石油勘探与开发, 2016, 43(5): 678-688.
WEN Zhixin, XU Hong, WANG Zhaoming, et al.Classification and hydrocarbon distribution of passive continental margin basins[J]. Petroleum Exploration and Development, 2016, 43(5): 678-688.
[37] FRANKE D, NEBEN S, LADAGE S, et al.Margin segmentation and volcano-tectonic architecture along the volcanic margin off Argentina/Uruguay, South Atlantic[J]. Marine Geology, 2007, 244(1/2/3/4): 46-67.
[38] COHEN H A, MCCLAY K.Sedimentation and shale tectonics of the northwestern Niger Delta front[J]. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 1996, 13(3): 313-328.
[39] CORREDOR F, SHAW J H, BILOTTI F.Structural styles in the deep-water fold and thrust belts of the Niger Delta[J]. AAPG Bulletin, 2005, 89(6): 753-780.
[40] ANDERSON J E, CARTWRIGHT J, DRYSDALL S J, et al.Controls on turbidite sand deposition during gravity-driven extension of a passive margin: Examples from Miocene sediments in Block 4, Angola[J]. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 2000, 17(10): 1165-1203.
[41] BABONNEAU N, SAVOYE B, CREMER M, et al.Morphology and architecture of the present canyon and channel system of the Zaire deep-sea fan[J]. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 2002, 19(4): 445-467.
[42] 邓荣敬, 邓运华, 于水, 等. 尼日尔三角洲盆地油气地质与成藏特征[J]. 石油勘探与开发, 2008, 35(6): 755-762.
DENG Rongjing, DENG Yunhua, YU Shui, et al.Hydrocarbon geology and reservoir formation characteristics of Niger Delta basin[J]. Petroleum Exploration and Development, 2008, 35(6): 755-762.
[43] MELLO M R, DE AZAMBUJA FILHO N C, BENDER A A, et al. The Namibian and Brazilian southern South Atlantic petroleum systems: Are they comparable analogues?[J]. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 2012, 369(1): 249-266.
[44] BUSHNELL D C, BALDI J E, BETTINI F H, et al.Petroleum systems analysis of the eastern Colorado Basin, offshore northern Argentina[M]//MELLO M R, KATZ B J. Petroleum systems of South Atlantic margins. Tulsa: American Association of Petroleum Geologists, 2000: 403-415.
[45] GUARDADO L R, SPADINI A R, BRANDÃO J S L, et al. Petroleum system of the Campos Basin, Brazil[M]//MELLO M R, KATZ B J. Petroleum systems of South Atlantic margins. Tulsa: American Association of Petroleum Geologists, 2000: 317-324.
[46] HARRIS N B.Toca carbonate, Congo Basin: Response to an evolving rift lake[M]//MELLO M R, KATZ B J. Petroleum systems of South Atlantic margins. Tulsa: American Association of Petroleum Geologists, 2000: 341-360.
[47] MOHRIAK W U, MELLO M R, BASSETTO M, et al.Crustal architecture, sedimentation, and petroleum systems in the Sergipe- Alagoas Basin, northeastern Brazil[M]//MELLO M R, KATZ B J. Petroleum systems of South Atlantic margins. Tulsa: American Association of Petroleum Geologists, 2000: 273-300.
[48] KATZ B J, MELLO M R.Petroleum systems of south Atlantic marginal basins: An overview[M]//MELLO M R, KATZ B J. Petroleum systems of South Atlantic margins. Tulsa: American Association of Petroleum Geologists, 2000: 1-13.
[49] HAACK R C, SUNDARARAMAN P, DIEDJOMAHOR J O, et al.Niger delta petroleum systems, Nigeria[M]//MELLO M R, KATZ B J. Petroleum systems of South Atlantic margins. Tulsa: American Association of Petroleum Geologists, 2000: 213-231.
[50] IHS Energy. Basins in the west of Africa[DB/OL]. (2021-02-09) [2025-01-10]. https://edin.ihsenergy.com/.
[51] 袁圣强, 窦立荣, 程顶胜, 等. 尼日尔Termit盆地油气成藏新认识与勘探方向[J]. 石油勘探与开发, 2023, 50(2): 238-249.
YUAN Shengqiang, DOU Lirong, CHENG Dingsheng, et al.New understanding and exploration direction of hydrocarbon accumulation in Termit Basin, Niger[J]. Petroleum Exploration and Development, 2023, 50(2): 238-249.
[52] GONZAGA F G, GONÇALVES F T T, COUTINHO L F C. Petroleum geology of the Amazonas Basin, Brazil: Modeling of hydrocarbon generation and migration[M]//MELLO M R, KATZ B J. Petroleum systems of South Atlantic margins. Tulsa: American Association of Petroleum Geologists, 2000: 159-178.
[53] 温志新, 王建君, 王兆明, 等. 世界深水油气勘探形势分析与思考[J]. 石油勘探与开发, 2023, 50(5): 924-936.
WEN Zhixin, WANG Jianjun, WANG Zhaoming, et al.Analysis of the world deepwater oil and gas exploration situation[J]. Petroleum Exploration and Development, 2023, 50(5): 924-936.

Options

Abstract

Outlines

模态框（Modal）标题

Abstract

Cite this article

References