Journal of Southwest Petroleum University(Science & Technology Edition) ›› 2025, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (1): 27-41.DOI: 10.11885/j.issn.1674-5086.2024.08.31.02

• A Special Issue on Deep Sea Oil and Gas Exploration and Development Geology • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Migration Patterns and Genetic Mechanisms of Deep-sea Channels

LIANG Shiqin1, WU Wei2, XIANG Wei1,3, ZHAO Zhonghui1, SUI Yaping2   

  1. 1. China Oilfield Services Limited, Yanjiao, Hebei 065201, China;
    2. School of Resources and Environment, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, Henan 454003, China;
    3. Hainan Province Key Laboratory of Deep Sea and Deep Layer Energy Engineering, Chengmai, Hainan 571900, China
  • Received:2024-08-31 Published:2025-03-12

Abstract: The deep-sea channel is one of the important conduits for the transport of terrestrial clastic sediments to deep-water basins, and it is also the main depositional site for sand sedimentation in deep-water basins.This study summarizes previous research to clarify the migration and formation mechanisms of deep-sea channels, yielding the following findings: based on the migration mode, deep-sea channels can be categorized into unidirectional migration channels (upstream migration type/downstream migration type) and multidirectional migration channels (downstream migration type/lateral migration type/obstacle migration type). The migration characteristics of the channels can be characterized based on the changes in the channel thalweg, unidirectional migration channels are accompanied by overall changes in the thalweg line, while multidirectional migration channels primarily exhibit local changes. The interaction between bottom currents and gravity currents controls the sedimentary construction of unidirectional migration channels. In addition, self-circulation and upwelling currents also affect the sedimentary evolution of the channels. Multidirectional migration channels, on the other hand, are controlled by multiple factors such as sea level changes, sediment supply, tectonic movements, paleo-topography, and the sedimentary action of the channels themselves. The formation of unidirectional migration channels is mainly controlled by the interaction between gravity flows and contour currents, the self-circulation of flows, and upwelling flows, while multidirectional migration channels are mainly influenced by sea-level changes, sediment supply, tectonic movements, paleotopography, and the self-deposition of channels. The future research and development directions of deep-sea channel migration patterns mainly include three aspects: 1) actively conducting multi-scale quantitative research; 2) exploring the coupling mechanisms of various dynamic factors related to channel migration; 3) strengthening the research on the relationship between channel migration patterns and reservoir development.

Key words: deep-sea channel, migration mode, Thalweg line changes, genetic mechanism, migration pattern

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