How to export oracle database version 12.1.0.2.0 with expdp Release 12.2.0.1.0
Are you sure about the target and source version?
I did here and worked right.
My source DB version was 12.1.0.2.0 and the target was 12.2.0.1.0.
Please, see my example below:
$ cat myfile.par
directory=DUMP
dumpfile=MYFILE.DMP
logfile=MYFILE.LOG
content=ALL
schemas=&quot;DIEGO&quot;,&quot;HR&quot;,&quot;USER&quot;

$ expdp user@mypdb parfile=myfile.par

Exporting and Importing Between Different Database Releases

In an upgrade situation, when the target release of a Data Pump-based migration is higher than the source, the VERSION parameter typically does not have to be specified because all objects in the source database will be compatible with the higher target release. An exception is when an entire Oracle Database 11g (release 11.2.0.3 or higher) is exported in preparation for importing into Oracle Database 12c Release 1 (12.1.0.1) or later. In this case, explicitly specify VERSION=12 in conjunction with FULL=YES in order to include a complete set of Oracle internal component metadata.
In a downgrade situation, when the target release of a Data Pump-based migration is lower than the source, the VERSION parameter should be explicitly specified to be the same version as the target. An exception is when the target release version is the same as the value of the COMPATIBLE initialization parameter on the source system; then VERSION does not need to be specified. In general however, Data Pump import cannot read dump file sets created by an Oracle release that is newer than the current release unless the VERSION parameter is explicitly specified.