Research Article
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Comprehensive Provenance Analysis of the Es3$^3$ Sub - Member in the Eastern Shichang Sub - Sag, Nanpu Sag, Bohai Bay Basin
1
School of Geoscience and Technology, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu 610500, China
* Corresponding Author:
Shilin Wang,
[email protected]
Volume 3, Issue 1
2027
Received: 23 June 2026
Revised: 03 August 2026
Accepted: 15 August 2026
Published: 21 September 2026
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Abstract
The eastern part of the Shichang Sub-sag in the Nanpu Sag is influenced by multiple provenance systems. However, there are divergent opinions regarding the directions of sediment supply and the relative contributions of different provenances to this area, which have led to controversies over the types of slope-breaks, the depositional models, and the sand-body distribution under different provenance regimes. These uncertainties have severely constrained the exploration of lithologic hydrocarbon reservoirs in the western slope area of the sub-sag. The provenance systems and the distribution range of sand bodies were clarified through Dickinson ternary diagrams, seismic reflection characteristics, as well as analyzing rock clastic grain components, heavy mineral assemblages, and sandbody distribution patterns. Research revealed that there are two main provenance areas supplying the Es3$^3$ submember in the eastern Shichang Subsag: one originating from the northeast and the other from the east. The ZTR index and sandbody distribution patterns indicate that the northeastern provenance exerts a widespread influence over the eastern Shichang Sub-sag and serves as the dominant sediment-supply area, whereas the eastern provenance has a comparatively limited impact. The northeastern provenance in the eastern part of the Shichang Sub-sag controls the fan-delta sand bodies on the western slope, which are favorable zones for lithologic reservoir development, whereas the eastern provenance controls the fan‑delta front sand bodies in the eastern sector, which are favorable zones for structural reservoir development. Provenance system determination in the eastern Shichang Subsag provides a reference for studying sedimentary systems and sandbody distribution under varying slope-break types and provenance controls, and additionally provides guidance for reserve growth and production enhancement efforts in the eastern Shichang Sub-sag.
Graphical Abstract
Keywords
provenance
detrital grain
comprehensive
sedimentary facies
Es3$^3$ submember
Shichang Subsag
Data Availability Statement
Data will be made available on request.
Funding
This work was supported without any funding.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
AI Use Statement
The authors declare that no generative AI was used in the preparation of this manuscript.
Ethical Approval and Consent to Participate
Not applicable.
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Li, H., Wang, S., Dang, Y., Pan, L., Luo, M., Yang, T., & Ye, X. (2026). Comprehensive Provenance Analysis of the Es3^3 Sub - Member in the Eastern Shichang Sub - Sag, Nanpu Sag, Bohai Bay Basin. Journal of Geo-Energy and Environment, 3(1), 16-27. https://doi.org/10.62762/JGEE.2026.797398
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TY - JOUR AU - Li, Hening AU - Wang, Shilin AU - Dang, Yijia AU - Pan, Liao AU - Luo, Mei AU - Yang, Tao AU - Ye, Ximing PY - 2026 DA - 2026/09/21 TI - Comprehensive Provenance Analysis of the Es3$^3$ Sub - Member in the Eastern Shichang Sub - Sag, Nanpu Sag, Bohai Bay Basin JO - Journal of Geo-Energy and Environment T2 - Journal of Geo-Energy and Environment JF - Journal of Geo-Energy and Environment VL - 3 IS - 1 SP - 16 EP - 27 DO - 10.62762/JGEE.2026.797398 UR - https://www.icck.org/article/abs/JGEE.2026.797398 KW - provenance KW - detrital grain KW - comprehensive KW - sedimentary facies KW - Es3$^3$ submember KW - Shichang Subsag AB - The eastern part of the Shichang Sub-sag in the Nanpu Sag is influenced by multiple provenance systems. However, there are divergent opinions regarding the directions of sediment supply and the relative contributions of different provenances to this area, which have led to controversies over the types of slope-breaks, the depositional models, and the sand-body distribution under different provenance regimes. These uncertainties have severely constrained the exploration of lithologic hydrocarbon reservoirs in the western slope area of the sub-sag. The provenance systems and the distribution range of sand bodies were clarified through Dickinson ternary diagrams, seismic reflection characteristics, as well as analyzing rock clastic grain components, heavy mineral assemblages, and sandbody distribution patterns. Research revealed that there are two main provenance areas supplying the Es3$^3$ submember in the eastern Shichang Subsag: one originating from the northeast and the other from the east. The ZTR index and sandbody distribution patterns indicate that the northeastern provenance exerts a widespread influence over the eastern Shichang Sub-sag and serves as the dominant sediment-supply area, whereas the eastern provenance has a comparatively limited impact. The northeastern provenance in the eastern part of the Shichang Sub-sag controls the fan-delta sand bodies on the western slope, which are favorable zones for lithologic reservoir development, whereas the eastern provenance controls the fan‑delta front sand bodies in the eastern sector, which are favorable zones for structural reservoir development. Provenance system determination in the eastern Shichang Subsag provides a reference for studying sedimentary systems and sandbody distribution under varying slope-break types and provenance controls, and additionally provides guidance for reserve growth and production enhancement efforts in the eastern Shichang Sub-sag. SN - 3069-3268 PB - Institute of Central Computation and Knowledge LA - English ER -
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@article{Li2026Comprehens,
author = {Hening Li and Shilin Wang and Yijia Dang and Liao Pan and Mei Luo and Tao Yang and Ximing Ye},
title = {Comprehensive Provenance Analysis of the Es3\$^3\$ Sub - Member in the Eastern Shichang Sub - Sag, Nanpu Sag, Bohai Bay Basin},
journal = {Journal of Geo-Energy and Environment},
year = {2026},
volume = {3},
number = {1},
pages = {16-27},
doi = {10.62762/JGEE.2026.797398},
url = {https://www.icck.org/article/abs/JGEE.2026.797398},
abstract = {The eastern part of the Shichang Sub-sag in the Nanpu Sag is influenced by multiple provenance systems. However, there are divergent opinions regarding the directions of sediment supply and the relative contributions of different provenances to this area, which have led to controversies over the types of slope-breaks, the depositional models, and the sand-body distribution under different provenance regimes. These uncertainties have severely constrained the exploration of lithologic hydrocarbon reservoirs in the western slope area of the sub-sag. The provenance systems and the distribution range of sand bodies were clarified through Dickinson ternary diagrams, seismic reflection characteristics, as well as analyzing rock clastic grain components, heavy mineral assemblages, and sandbody distribution patterns. Research revealed that there are two main provenance areas supplying the Es3\$^3\$ submember in the eastern Shichang Subsag: one originating from the northeast and the other from the east. The ZTR index and sandbody distribution patterns indicate that the northeastern provenance exerts a widespread influence over the eastern Shichang Sub-sag and serves as the dominant sediment-supply area, whereas the eastern provenance has a comparatively limited impact. The northeastern provenance in the eastern part of the Shichang Sub-sag controls the fan-delta sand bodies on the western slope, which are favorable zones for lithologic reservoir development, whereas the eastern provenance controls the fan‑delta front sand bodies in the eastern sector, which are favorable zones for structural reservoir development. Provenance system determination in the eastern Shichang Subsag provides a reference for studying sedimentary systems and sandbody distribution under varying slope-break types and provenance controls, and additionally provides guidance for reserve growth and production enhancement efforts in the eastern Shichang Sub-sag.},
keywords = {provenance, detrital grain, comprehensive, sedimentary facies, Es3\$^3\$ submember, Shichang Subsag},
issn = {3069-3268},
publisher = {Institute of Central Computation and Knowledge}
}
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