Overpressure Generation Mechanism in the Jurassic Formations of the Fukang Sag, Junggar Basin: Its Significance for Deep Petroleum Exploration

The Jurassic reservoirs in the Fukang Sag of the Junggar Basin exhibit heterogeneous overpressure. As the mechanisms underlying overpressure generation remain poorly constrained, this poses challenges for accurate pre-drilling-pressure prediction and hinders a comprehensive understanding of hydrocarbon accumulation processes. Through integrated analysis of measured pressure, mud weight, and well-logging curves, this study delineates distinct overpressure characteristics in sandstones and identifies the well-logging response to overpressure in mudstones. By coupling the loading-unloading response with the analysis of geological conditions conducive to overpressure, we differentiate the overpressure-generating mechanisms between sandstones and mudstones and assess their implications for deep petroleum exploration. The study reveals significant vertical heterogeneity in pressure regimes, with sandstones exhibiting pressure coefficients ranging from 1.2 to 1.8, locally exceeding 2.1. Strong overpressure preferentially develops in isolated sand bodies linked to deep source kitchens via oil-source faults. The logging response of overpressured mudstones shows high acoustic transit time, high neutron, and low resistivity, deviating from the normal compaction trend, yet demonstrates progressive density increases attributable to chemical compaction processes. Overpressure points with pressure coefficients between 1.2 and 1.4 align with the loading curve dominated by disequilibrium compaction. The overpressure with a pressure coefficient exceeding 1.4 correlates with abrupt unloading responses indicative of fault-transferred overpressure in sandstones. Our results highlight that overpressured fluid migration via faults is a critical process in hydrocarbon migration, with large-magnitude overpressured reservoirs being readily formed near oil-source faults. Multi-overpressure mechanisms create a complex pore-pressure distribution in deep layers, challenging conventional pressure-prediction models. These insights advance predictive models for pore pressure and provide a robust framework for optimizing exploration strategies in the Fukang Sag.