Vertical Differential Structural Deformation of the Main Strike-slip Fault Zones in the Shunbei Area,Central Tarim Basin:Structural Characteristics,Deformation Mechanisms,and Hydrocarbon Accumulation Significance

Vertical differential structural deformation(VDSD),one of the most significant structural characteristics of strike-slip fault zones(SSFZs)in the Shunbei area,is crucial for understanding deformation in the SSFZ and its hydrocarbon accumulation significance.Based on drilling data and high-precision 3-D seismic data,we analyzed the geometric and kinematic characteristics of the SSFZs in the Shunbei area.Coupled with the stratification of the rock mechanism,the structural deformations of these SSFZs in different formations were differentiated and divided into four deformation layers.According to comprehensive structural interpretations and comparisons,three integrated 3-D structural models could describe the VDSD of these SSFZs.The time-space coupling of the material basis(rock mechanism stratification),changing dynamic conditions(e.g.,changing stress-strain states),and special deformation mechanism of the en echelon normal fault array uniformly controlled the formation of the VDSD in the SSFZs of the Shunbei area.The VDSD of the SSFZs in this area controlled the entire hydrocarbon accumulation process.Multi-stage structural superimposing deformation influenced the hydrocarbon migration,accumulation,distribution,preservation,and secondary adjustments.

Hydrocarbon migration and accumulation along the fault intersection zone-a case study on the reef-flat systems of the No.1 slope break zone in the Tazhong area, Tarim Basin

Understanding hydrocarbon migration and accumulation mechanisms is one of the key scientif ic problems that should be solved for effective hydrocarbon exploration in the superimposed basins developed in northwest China. The northwest striking No.1 slope break zone, which is a representative of superimposed basins in the Tarim Basin, can be divided into five parts due to the intersection of the northeast strike-slip faults. Controlled by the tectonic framework, the types and properties of reservoirs and the hydrocarbon compositions can also be divided into five parts from east to west. Anomalies of all the parameters were found on the fault intersection zone and weakened up-dip along the structural ridge away from it. Thus, it can be inferred that the intersection zone is the hydrocarbon charging position. This new conclusion differs greatly from the traditional viewpoint, which believes that the hydrocarbon migrates and accumulates along the whole plane of the No.1 slope break zone. The viewpoint is further supported by the evidence from the theory of main pathway systems, obvious improvement of the reservoir quality （2-3 orders of magnitude at the intersection zone） and the formation mechanisms of the fault intersection zone. Differential hydrocarbon migration and entrapment exists in and around the strike- slip faults. This is controlled by the internal structure of faults. It is concluded that the more complicated the fault structure is, the more significant the effects will be. If there is a deformation band, it will hinder the cross fault migration due to the common feature of two to four orders of magnitude reduction in permeability. Otherwise, hydrocarbons tend to accumulate in the up-dip structure under the control of buoyancy. Further research on the internal fault structure should be emphasized.

Apatite fission track thermochronology in the Kuluketage and Aksu areas,NW China:Implication for tectonic evolution of the northern Tarim

Tarim Precambrian bedrocks are well exposed in the Kuluketage and Aksu areas, where twenty four samples were taken to reveal the denudation history of the northern Tarim Craton. Apatite fission track dating and thermal history modeling suggest that the northern Tarim experienced multi-stage cooling events which were assumed to be associated with the distant effects of the Cimmerian orogeny and India-Eurasia collision in the past. But the first episode of exhumation in the northern Tarim, occurring in the mid-Permian to Triassic, is here suggested to be induced by docking of the Tarim Craton and final amalgamation of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. The cooling event at ca. 170 Ma may be triggered by the Qiangtang-Eurasia collision. Widespread Cretaceous exhumation could be linked with docking of the Lhasa terrane in the late Jurassic. Cenozoic reheating and recooling likely occurred because of the northpropagating stress, however, this has not affected the northern Tarim much because the Tarim is characterized by rigid block-like motion.

Application of sequence stratigraphy to Triassic terrestrial strata in Tahe area of Tarim Basin

Based on a synthetic geological study of drilling,well logging and seismic data,core observations and geochemical analysis,it is recognized that Triassic sedimentary facies in the Tahe area of Tarim Basin include braided river deposits filling erosional valleys,and sublacustrine fan,canyon and delta facies.Braided river deposits filling erosional valleys are dominated by coarse-grained lithic quartz sandstone with oblique bedding,and represent the most important sedimentation type of sandstone in the study area.Sublacustrine fan and canyon facies are mainly distributed in the Middle Oil Member.Most delta sediments are deposited in highstand system tract(HST),Because of frequent changes in base level,delta sediments are commonly eroded and rarely preserved.Sedimentary cycles are clearly reflected by lithology,sedimentary structures and well logging data,and are closely related to the changes in lacustrine level.In accordance with the basic principle of sequence subdivision,seven type-I boundaries can be recognized in Triassic strata and six type-I sequences are subdivided correspondingly.In general,lowstand system tract(LST) is well developed within stratigraphic sequences and forms the main body of reservoir sandstone in this area;highstand system tract(HST) and transgressive system tract(TST) are often eroded by upper sequences or missed,Although various factors have different influences on terrestrial sequence stratigraphy,the classical sequence stratigraphy theory proposed by VAIL can be applied to terrestrial strata.

Characteristics of Paleozoic clastic reservoirs and the relationship with hydrocarbon accumulation in the Tazhong area of the Tarim Basin, west China

In order to predict favorable exploration areas of the Paleozoic, Carboniferous and Silurian clastic reservoirs in the Tazhong area of the Tarim Basin, west China, we studied the basic characteristics of Paleozoic clastic reservoirs in the Tazhong area based on a lot of data. Several issues about the hydrocarbon accumulation related to the reservoirs were also discussed. The results were concluded that： the high-value areas of the porosity and permeability of clastic reservoirs were located in the southeast of the Tazhong area; the content of cement （carbonate cement in particular） was the main factor controlling the porosity and permeability of clastic reservoirs; the hydrocarbon distributions of Carboniferous and Silurian clastic reservoirs were closely related to the porosity and permeability; the favorable hydrocarbon accumulation areas of the two sets of strata were located in the southeast of this area, especially in the updip pinch-out area.

Geochemical Characteristics and Migration Pathways of Ordovician Carbonate Oil Reservoirs in the Tuoputai Area,Tarim Basin,Northwestern China

Exploration potential is huge and the oil resources are rich in the Ordovician reservoirs of the Tarim Basin.However,the mechanism of hydrocarbon accumulation is complex and not yet fully understood.In the Tuoputai area,the hydrocarbon migration pathways and characteristics of deep hydrocarbon accumulation are revealed through analyses of the physical data of rich oil and gas,the geochemical parameters of oil,and fluid inclusions.The results show that the Ordovician oils in the Tuoputai area have the same geochemical characteristics as the mixed oil from the Lower Cambrian source rock and the Middle–Upper Ordovician source rock.The Ordovician reservoirs have been charged three times:in the late Caledonian,late Hercynian,and Himalayan stages.Oil charging occurred in the Hercynian stage,in particular,as it is the main filling period of hydrocarbon.The north-northeast(NNE)-trending TP12 CX major fault,active in in these times and is dominant migration channel of hydrocarbon,but there is segmentation affected by the difference of activities.Oil maturity is higher in the south than in the north and is abnormally high near the major fault.Parameters related to migration indicate that oil migrated northeastward along the NNE-trending TP12 CX major fault and adjusted laterally along the secondary faults and weathering crust,forming the present characteristics of oil and gas distribution.

New Insights into the Depositional Environments of Ordovician Carbonate Formations in the Yubei Area of Tarim Basin Based on Standard Microfacies Types

Objective The Yubei area is located in the mid-east Maigaiti slope of southwestern Tarim Basin, China, with an exploration history of several years. Recent exploration has preliminarily indicated that the Ordovician carbonate formations in this area have some oil and gas potential. Carbonate microfacies provides material basis for reservoir development, seal formation and hydrocarbon generation. Therefore, this work utilized the standard microfacies （SMF） types to study the microfacies of the Ordovician formations in the Yubei area in order to provide theoretical basis for the next exploration.

Origin, hydrocarbon accumulation and oil-gas enrichment of fault-karst carbonate reservoirs: A case study of Ordovician carbonate reservoirs in South Tahe area of Halahatang oilfield, Tarim Basin

Based on comprehensive analysis of tectonic and fault evolution, core, well logging, seismic, drilling, and production data, the reservoir space characteristic, distribution, origin of fault-karst carbonate reservoir in Yueman block of South Tahe area, Halahatang oilfield, Tarim Basin, were studied systematically. And the regular pattern of hydrocarbon accumulation and enrichment was analyzed systematically based on development practice of the reservoirs. The results show that fault-karst carbonate reservoirs are distributed in the form of "body by body" discontinuously, heterogeneously and irregularly, which are controlled by the development of faults. Three formation models of fault-karst carbonate reservoirs, namely, the models controlled by the main deep-large fault, the secondary fault and the secondary internal fault, are built. The hydrocarbon accumulation and enrichment of fault-karst carbonate reservoirs is controlled by the spatiotemporal matching relation between hydrocarbon generation period and fault activity, and the size and segmentation of fault. The study results can effectively guide the well deployment and help the efficient development of fault-karst carbonate reservoirs of South Tahe area, Halahatang oilfield.

Types of the Cambrian platform margin mound-shoal complexes and their relationship with paleogeomorphology in Gucheng area,Tarim Basin,NW China

Based on the observation of outcrops and cores,thin section identification,restoration of paleogeomorphology by residual thickness method,fine description of seismic facies,etc.,the coupling relationships between the development patterns of various types of Cambrian platform margin mound-shoal complexes and paleogeomorphology in the Gucheng area of Tarim Basin have been examined.The Cambrian platform margin mound-shoal complex is divided into mound base,mound core,mound front,mound back and mound flat microfacies,which are composed of dolomites of seven textures with facies indication.The different paleogeomorphology before the deposition of mound-shoal complex in each period was reconstructed,and three types of mound-shoal complex sedimentary models corresponding to the paleogeomorphologies of four stages were established:namely,the first stage of gentle slope symmetric accretion type,the second stage of steep slope asymmetric accretion type and the third and fourth stages of steep slope asymmetric progradation type.Their microfacies are respectively characterized by-mound base-mound back+(small)mound core+mound front-mound flat"symmetric vertical accretion structure,"mound base-(large)mound core+mound front-mound flat"asymmetric vertical accretion structure,"mound base-(small)mound core+mound front-mound flat"asymmetric lateral progradation structure.With most developed favorable reservoir facies belt,the steep slope asymmetric accretion type mound-shoal complex with the characteristics of"large mound and large shoal"is the exploration target for oil and gas reservoir.

Types,structural evolution difference and petroleum geological significance of Cambrian-Ordovician carbonate platforms in Gucheng-Xiaotang area,Tarim Basin,NW China

Based on the latest drilling cores,thin sections,and 3D seismic data,types,features,and evolution processes of Cambrian-Ordovician carbonate platforms in the Gucheng and Xiaotang areas are studied,and favorable exploration zones in this area are also discussed.There are two types of carbonate platforms developed in the Cambrian-Ordovician in the Gucheng-Xiaotang area,namely,carbonate ramp and rimmed platforms,and the evolution process of the platform in the Gucheng area is different from that in Xiaotang area.In the Early Cambrian,the study area was a homoclinal carbonate ramp.During the Middle to Late Cambrian,it evolved into a rimmed platform,with 5 phases of mound shoals developed.In the southern area,mound shoals were in progradational arrangement and the third and fourth stages of mound shoals suffering exposure and further developed abundant karst vugs.In the northern area,the mound shoals appeared in a superposition of aggradation-weak progradation,the third,fourth,and fifth stages of mound shoals suffered exposure and dissolution,and the platform slope developed gravity flow deposits.In the Early to Middle Ordovician,the southern area gradually evolved into a distally steepened carbonate ramp,where retrogradational dolomitic shoal developed;while the northern part experienced an evolution process from a weakly rimmed platform to a distally steepened carbonate ramp,and developed two or three stages of retrogradational mound shoals.The high-frequency oscillation of sea level and local exposure and dissolution were beneficial to the formation of mound or shoal reservoirs in platform margin and ramp,and the configuration of these reservoirs with low energy slope-basin facies source rocks could form good oil-gas enrichment zones.The dolomitic shoal in the Ordovician platform ramp is the practical exploration field for increasing reserve and production in the Gucheng area.The mound shoal at the Cambrian rimmed platform margin is the key exploration object in the Xiaotang area.In addition,the Cambrian slope gravity flow deposits can be taken as the favorable exploration fields in the study area.

Petroleum geological conditions and exploration potential of Lower Paleozoic carbonate rocks in Gucheng Area, Tarim Basin, China

Lower Paleozoic carbonate rocks are an important exploration area in craton area of the Tarim Basin,with the proven oil and gas reserves of more than 2.2×10^8 t,but no large-scale discovery has been made in the Gucheng area so far.The key issues restricting exploration are that the source rock,reservoir scale and law of oil and gas enrichment are unclear.By systematically examining the petroleum geological conditions of Lower Paleozoic carbonate rocks,the following findings are reached:(1)Source rocks of slope-basin facies developed in Cambrian-Lower Ordovician in the Gucheng area.(2)The dolomitized beach in the lower part of Ordovician Yingshan Formation has large-scale reservoirs,good reservoir-cap assemblage and developed gas source faults,and is an important field for increasing reserves and production in the near future;hydrocarbon enrichment is controlled by reservoir and gas source faults,and the central dolomitized beach zone is the main exploration area.(3)The Cambrian platform margin reef beach,large in scale,good in physical properties and close to source rocks,has the possibility to form monolithic gas field;the caprock and preservation conditions are the key factors for hydrocarbon enrichment;the northern part of the phasesⅠandⅡplatform margin reefs has better sealing conditions,and is the main direction of next exploration.(4)Limestone fault solution reservoirs in the upper part of Ordovician Yingshan Formation,controlled by faults and small in scale,but good in reservoir-cap combination,worth exploring.(5)The granular limestone beach of Ordovician Yijianfang Formation is well developed and gas-bearing,but short in exposure dissolution time,and the reservoirs are strongly heterogeneous,and are a potential exploration field.

Reservoir geological modeling and significance of Cambrian Xiaoerblak Formation in Keping outcrop area, Tarim Basin, NW China

Take the Cambrian Xiaoerblak Formation in the Keping(Kalpin) outcrop area as an example, a 28 km reservoir scale geological model was built based on description of 7 profiles, observation of more than 1000 thin sections, petrophysical analysis of 556 samples and many geochemical tests. The Xiaoerblak Formation, 158–178 m thick, is divided into three members and 5 submembers, and is composed of laminated microbialite dolomite(LMD), thrombolite dolomite(TD), foamy-stromatolite dolomite(FSD), oncolite dolomite(OD), grain dolomite(GD)/crystalline dolomite with grain ghost and micritic dolomite(MD)/argillaceous dolomite. The petrology features show that its sediment sequence is micro-organism layer – microbial mound/shoal – tidal flat in carbonate ramp background from bottom up. The reservoir has 5 types of pores, namely, framework pore, dissolved vug, intergranular and intragranular dissolved pore and intercrystalline dissolved pore, as main reservoir space. It is found that the development of pore has high lithofacies selectivity, FSD has the highest average porosity, TD, OD and GD come second. The reservoir is pore-vug reservoir with medium-high porosity and medium-low permeability. The dolomite of Xiaoerblak Formation was formed in para-syngenetic to early diagenetic stage through dolomitization caused by seawater. The reservoir development is jointly controlled by sedimentary facies, micro-organism type, high frequency sequence interface and early dolomitization. The classⅠand Ⅱ reservoirs, with an average thickness of 41.2 m and average reservoir-stratum ratio of about 25.6%, have significant potential. It is predicted that the microbial mounds and shoals in the middle ramp around the ancient uplift are the favorable zones for reservoir development.

The Formation Mechanism and Geological Significance of Fluorite in Ordovician, Central Uplift of Tarim Basin

Based on analysisof karst fracture-vuggy filling mineralogy and geochemical fluorite in hercynian, this paper make further research about formation and significance of fluorite in central uplift of Tarim Basin. It is point out that the development of hercynian fracture-vuggy and filling succession of fracture-cave mineral was under the background of the mingling of low-temperature magma hydrotherm and the brine of upper strata. There are overlap or associate relations between generate of fluorite and buried dissolution or oil-gas migration. It was volume decreased 26.4% after calcite metasomatic by fluorite, this reaction made fluorite engender plentiful intergranular space. It’s created appreciable reservoir space. At same time, hydrotherm carried by fluorite generating could erode adjacent rock though fracture or fissure, forming irregular fracture-cave system, and also accompanied with hydrocarbon migration. The time of hydrocarbon migration and accumulation happened in late hercynian-indosinian is inosculates with the sedimentation time such as fluorite and several hydrothermal mineral.

Characteristics and impacts on favorable reservoirs of carbonate ramp microfacies: A case study of the Middle-Lower Ordovician in Gucheng area,Tarim Basin,NW China

Based on the latest drilling core, thin section, 3D seismic, well logging data as well as exploration results, the sequence stratigraphy and sedimentary microfacies of the Middle-Lower Ordovician carbonates in Gucheng area, and their controlling effects on the development of reservoir were examined by the theories and methods of fine carbonate sedimentology.The results show that the Middle-Lower Ordovician in Gucheng area is a set of typical carbonate ramp deposits, which can be divided into 10 microfacies in 4 subfacies as follows: back ramp, inner shallow ramp, outer shallow ramp, and deep ramp. The back ramp subfacies consists of muddy-dolomitic flat and dolomitic lagoon microfacies;it is dominated by lamellar micrite dolomite tight in lithology. The inner shallow ramp subfacies includes dolomitic shoal and dolomitic flat in shoal top and dolomitic flat between shoals microfacies;it is mainly composed of crystal dolomite with metasomatic residual structure, as well as abundant karst vugs and intercrystalline pores. The crystal dolomite has an average porosity of 4.36%. The outer ramp subfacies includes medium-high and low energy grain shoal and inter-shoal microfacies;it is dominated by sandy limestone,oolitic limestone, and micrite limestone with few pores. The deep ramp subfacies is dominated by low-energy argillaceous deposits, with local presences of storm shoal microfacies. The Lower-Middle Ordovician has six third-order sequences from bottom to top, among which sequence(SQ3) represents the third member of Yingying Formation. The main reservoir has three fourth-order high-frequency sequences. Apparently, the favorable reservoir in the study area is jointly controlled by sedimentary microfacies and high frequency sequence in the carbonate ramp. The former controls the primary pore structure, and the latter controls the intensities of karstification exposure and dolomitization in the penecontemporaneous period. The dolomitic shoals and top dolomitic flats of different stages, superimposed and connected into favorable reservoirs of considerable scale like "platform margin", are favorable exploration facies in the carbonate ramp.

Characteristics and main control factors of Ordovician shoal dolomite gas reservoir in Gucheng area,Tarim Basin,NW China

Based on seismic, drilling data and experimental analysis, the characteristics and main controlling factors of shoal dolomite gas reservoir in the third member of Ordovician Yingshan Formation of Gucheng area, Tarim basin were examined.The study shows that the dolomite gas reservoir in Gucheng area is lithologic gas reservoir controlled by shoal and fault jointly,and its formation is mainly attributed to the following factors:(1) The continuously developing paleotectonic structure has been in the direction of gas migration and accumulation;(2) The large area of medium-high energy grain bank deposited in gentle slope environment is the material basis for the formation of dolomite reservoir;(3) Atmospheric water leaching and dolomitization and fluid dissolution in fault zone are the key factors for the formation of high-quality dolomite reservoir;(4)The natural gas comes from cracking of the ancient oil reservoir and hydrocarbon generation of dispersed organic matter in source rocks, and the NNE-trending strike-slip fault is the dominant channel for vertical migration of natural gas;(5) Limestone cap rocks in the first and second members of Yingshan Formation provide direct sealing for the formation of gas reservoir there. On the basis of comprehensive analysis, it is pointed out that the Gucheng area has three grain shoal zones in the third member of Yingshan Formation in nearly S-N direction, which together with seven strike-slip fault zones in NNE direction control the development of shoal dolomite gas reservoir.

Distribution regularity of the Ordovician reef-bank reservoir inside sequence stratigraphic ework in central Tarim Basin

Based on the integrated study of the outcrops, the seismic, drilling and logging data of Lianglitage formation in central Tarim Basin, the sequence stratigraphic framework of the platform margin is built, and the Lianglitage formation is divided into 3 third-order sequences. The vertical pattern and lateral distribution for carbonate reef-bank reservoir in sequence stratigraphic framework are analyzed. The reef-bank reservoir mainly developed in highstand system tract of sequence Ssq2, and distributed along the carbonate platform margin of the Middle-Late Ordovician in central Tarim Basin. The mudstone mound, organic reef, granule bank are vertically stacked. Laterally, the area of well shun3-shun4-shun2-shun6 are characterized by multiphase bank reservoir overlapping, and the area of well TZ82 -TZ44 - TZ161 -TZ24 - TZ26 are characterized by multiphase organic reef and bank overlapping. The reef-bank complexes in sequence Ssq2 are the main targets of exploration in central Tarim Basin.

Thermochemical Sulfate Reduction in the Tazhong District,Tarim Basin,Northeast China:Evidence from Formation Water and Natural Gas Geochemistry

Systematic analyses of the formation water and natural gas geochemistry in the Central Uplift of the Tarim Basin （CUTB） show that gas invasion at the late stage is accompanied by an increase of the contents of HeS and CO2 in natural gas, by the forming of the high total dissolved solids formation water, by an increase of the content of HCO3^-, relative to Cl^-, by an increase of the 2nd family ions （Ca^2＋, Mg^2＋, Sr^2＋ and Ba^2＋） and by a decrease of the content of SO4^2-, relative to Cl^-. The above phenomena can be explained only by way of thermochemicai sulfate reduction （TSR）. TSR often occurs in the transition zone of oil and water and is often described in the following reaction formula： ∑CH＋CaSO4＋H-2O→H2S＋CO2＋CaCO3. （1） Dissolved SO4^2- in the formation water is consumed in the above reaction, when HeS and CO2 are generated, resulting in a decrease of SO4^2- in the formation water and an increase of both HeS and CO2 in the natural gas. If formation water exists, the generated CO2 will go on reacting with the carbonate to form bicarbonate, which can be dissolved in the formation water, thus resulting in the enrichment of Ca^2＋ and HCO3^-. The above reaction can be described by the following equation： CO2＋HeO＋CaCO3→Ca^2＋＋2HCO3^-. The stratigraphic temperatures of the Cambrian and lower Ordovician in CUTB exceeded 120℃, which is the minimum for TSR to occur. At the same time, dolomitization, which might be a direct result of TSR, has been found in both the Cambrian and the lower Ordovician. The above evidence indicates that TSR is in an active reaction, providing a novel way to reevaluate the exploration potentials of natural gas in this district.

Reservoir geochemistry of the Tazhong oilfield in the Tarim Basin, China, Part I. Geochemical characteristics and genetic classification of crude oils

According to the assemblage characteristics of saturated hydrocarbon biomarkers in crude oils and their geochemical implications, this study has proposed, for the first time, the criteria for the genetic classification of crude oils in the Tazhong area of the Tarim Basin, China. Crude oils from the area studied are classified as three genetic types: type-I is characterized by the low contents of C29 norhopane, extremely abundant contents of gammacerane, low contents of rearranged sterane and relatively high contents of regular C28 sterane; the geochemical properties of type-II crude oils are opposite to those of type-I crude oils; the parameters for type-III crude oils are intermediate between type-I and type-II. Results of oil correlation indicated that type-I crude oils were derived from Cambrian-Lower Ordovician hydrocarbon source rocks, type-II curde oils originated from Middle-Upper Ordovician hydrocarbon source rocks and type-III crude oils are of mixed origin.

Division of Ecosystem Sensitivity of Natural Landscape in Lower Reaches of Tarim River

By choosing aerial and satellite remote sensing images of the year 1959, 1973, 1989, 2000 and 2008 as data source, combining ground investigation, landscape in lower reaches of Tarim River was classified and landscape classification map was promoted by using GIS technique and landscape ecology theory. Finally landscape classification maps of the five years would be converted into gray scale images which would be used for overlay analysis, and based on this, landscape ecosystem sensitive zone had been identified. The result showed that the extremely sensitive zone took up 10.18% of the study area and sensitive zone occupied 17.95% of the study area. Ecological system of natural landscape in the lower reaches of Tarim River was superior to ecological system of artificial landscape in terms of resistance to wind, dust, salt and drought. Study on division of ecosystem sensitivity area of natural landscape not only provided scientific reference for the formulation of regional policies to prevent and treat ecological environmental problems, but also was beneficial for people to identify treatment focus of ecological environmental problems in different regions and propose countermeasures ameliorating regional ecological environment.