SANDSTONE INTRUSION SIGNIFICANCE FOR DEEP-WATER HYDROCARBON EXPLORATION

Sandstone intrusion is a common deform structure resulting from remobilization of unconsolidated sandstone in deep-water basin. Soft sandstone intrudes up into overlying muddy sediment due to pore overpressure, and becomes consolidated after pressure balance. Sandstone intrusion can significantly change primary depositional geometries and physical properties of deepwater sediments, and causes great variations in reservoir characters, which may significantly affect petroleum exploration and development in such reservoirs. Intrusion may be associated with migration of hydrocarbon. The sandstone remobilization and injection may increase connectivity between reservoir compartments. Large scale intrusion may constitute potential reservoir because of highly porosity and permeability. Mechanism of unconsolidated sandstones may also be revealed through sandstones intrusion researching, which helps analyze shallow water flow.