Fluid activity in faults in the northwestern Junggar Basin and its influence on fault opening and sealing

The fluid flow process and its effect on fault opening and sealing in the northwestern Junggar Basin were studied based on field outcrop, drilling, logging and geochemical analyses. Four stages of fluid activities have occurred. During the early period of fault formation, the sliding fracture zone got the most concentrated force and was extensively crushed. The first phase of mantle-derived fluid entered the sliding fracture zone and continuously precipitated minerals, which made physical properties become worse. The second phase of mantle-derived fluid migrated in the parts where physical properties were relatively better in the sliding fractured zone. The cemented minerals and the mineral veins formed in the first phase closed the sliding fracture zone. The third phase of fluid from the basin mainly migrated in the fracture zone of the active wall where physical properties were relatively better, and a small part entered the induced fracture zone of the passive wall. In the fourth phase, atmospheric precipitation entered the induced fracture zones of the active wall and the passive wall where physical properties were relatively better. In the initial stage, dissolution was essential, while in the late stage cementation was stronger. When the fluid from the basin was active in the third phase, large-scale hydrocarbon was expelled from the basin. As a result, the fluid often contained large amounts of oil and gas. Hydrocarbon mainly migrated in the induced fracture zone of the active wall, and secondly in the induced fracture zone of the passive wall. The sliding fracture zone played the role of closure not transport.