The velocity structure of the Yinggehai Basin and its hydrocarbon implication

Two profiles of refraction and wide_angle reflection were completed in the Yinggehai Basin using ocean bottom hydrophones (OBHs) as receiver. These profiles reveal a low velocity layer (LVL) to the west of No. 1 Fault in the basin, with velocity of 3.0-3.5 km/s. Its upper interface lies at 3.5 km below the sea bottom at the NE end of the profiles, and deepens southwestward to 4 6 km near the axis of the basin. It coincides with the top of a gas_bearing, high_pressure layer defined by well logging. This suggests that the LVL is a layer of less_compacted and gas_charged sediments. The lower interface of the LVL is about 9 km in depth. Sediments above the LVL have velocity varying from 2 0 to 4 1 km/s. The acoustic basement is found only east of No. 1 Fault, with velocity of 5 8-6 2 km/s. A NNW_SSE_running OBH seismic profile across the Xisha Trough was completed on the same cruise. Moho and other deep interfaces are clearly visible in the profile.