Heterogeneity and differential hydrocarbon accumulation model of deep reservoirs in foreland thrust belts: A case study of deep Cretaceous Qingshuihe Formation clastic reservoirs in southern Junggar Basin, NW China

Using the data of drilling, logging, core, experiments and production, the heterogeneity and differential hydrocarbon accumulation model of deep reservoirs in Cretaceous Qingshuihe Formation(K1q) in the western section of the foreland thrust belt in southern Junggar Basin are investigated. The target reservoirs are characterized by superimposition of conglomerates, sandy conglomerates and sandstones, with high content of plastic clasts. The reservoir space is mainly composed of intergranular pores. The reservoirs are overall tight, and the sandy conglomerate has the best physical properties. The coupling of short deep burial period with low paleotemperature gradient and formation overpressure led to the relatively weak diagenetic strength of the reservoirs. Specifically, the sandy conglomerates show relatively low carbonate cementation, low compaction rate and high dissolution porosity. The special stress-strain mechanism of the anticline makes the reservoirs at the top of the anticline turning point more reformed by fractures than those at the limbs, and the formation overpressure makes the fractures in open state. Moreover, the sandy conglomerates have the highest oil saturation. Typical anticline reservoirs are developed in deep part of the thrust belt, but characterized by "big trap with small reservoir". Significantly, the sandy conglomerates at the top of anticline turning point have better quality, lower in-situ stress and higher structural position than those at the limbs,with the internal hydrocarbons most enriched, making them high-yield oil/gas layers. The exponential decline of fractures makes hydrocarbon accumulation difficult in the reservoirs at the limbs. Nonetheless, plane hydrocarbon distribution is more extensive at the gentle limb than the steep limb.

A Large-scale Tertiary Salt Nappe Complex in the Leading Edge of the Kuqa Foreland Fold-Thrust Belt, the Tarim Basin, Northwest China

The tectono-stratigraphic sequences of the Kuqa foreland fold-thrust belt in the northern Tarim basin, northwest China, can be divided into the Mesozoic sub-salt sequence, the Paleocene-Eocene salt sequence and the Oligocene-Quaternary supra-salt sequence. The salt sequence is composed mainly of light grey halite, gypsum, marl and brown elastics. A variety of salt-related structures have developed in the Kuqa foreland fold belt, in which the most fascinating structures are salt nappe complex. Based on field observation, seismic interpretation and drilling data, a large-scale salt nappe complex has been identified. It trends approximately east-west for over 200 km and occurs along the west Qiulitag Mountains. Its thrusting displacement is over 30 km. The salt nappe complex appears as an arcuate zone projecting southwestwards along the leading edge of the Kuqa foreland fold belt. The major thrust fault is developed along the Paleocene-Eocene salt beds. The allochthonous nappes comprise large north-dipping faulting monoclines which are made up of Paleocene-Pliocene sediments. Geological analysis and cross-section restoration revealed that the salt nappes were mainly formed at the late Himalayan stage (c.a. 1.64 Ma BP) and have been active until the present day. Because of inhomogeneous thrusting, a great difference may exist in thrust displacement, thrust occurrence, superimposition of allochthonous and autochthonous sequences and the development of the salt-related structures, which indicates the segmentation along the salt nappes. Regional compression, gravitational gliding and spreading controlled the formation and evolution of the salt nappe complex in the Kuqa foreland fold belt.

The Uplift of the Longmenshan Thrust Belt and Subsidence of the West Sichuan Foreland Basin

Based on fission track dating of apatite, and measurement of vitrinite reflectance of rock samples from the Longmenshan (Longmen Mountain)area and the West Sichuan foreland basin and computer modelling it is concluded that (l)the Songpan-Garze fold belt has uplifted at least by 3-4 km with an uplift rate of no less than 0.3-0.4 mm/a since 10 Ma B.P.; (2) the Longmenshan thrust nappe belt has uplifted at least by 5-6 km with an uplift rate of more than 0.5- 0.6 mm /a since 10 Ma B.P.; (3) the Longmenshan detachment belt has uplifted by 1 - 2 km at a rate of 0.016-0.032 mm/a since 60 Ma B.P.; (4) the West Sichuan foreland basin has uplifted by 1.7-3 km at a rate of 0.028-0.05 mm/a since 60 Ma B.P.; (5) the uplift rate of the area on the west side of the Beichuan-Yingxiu-Xiaoguanzi fault for the last 10 Ma is 40 times as much as that on its east side; (6) the uplifting of the the Songpan - Garze fold belt and the subsidence of the West Sichuan foreland basin 60 Ma ago exhibit a mirro-image correlation, i.e. the rapid uplifting of the the Songpan-Garze fold belt was corresponding to the rapid subsidence of the basin;the Songpan-Garze fold belt has uplifted at a much greater rate than the West Sichuan foeland basin in the last 60 Ma;and (7) the palaeogeothermal gradient was 25℃ /km in the West Sichuan foreland basin.

Indosinian Foreland Fold-and-Thrust Belt Bordering Yunnan and Guangxi, China

Recent discoveries of ophiolites indicate that there must be a Palaeotethyan geosuture zone bordering China and Vietnam, which separates the Vietbac block from the South China subcontinent. The Indosinian foreland fold-and-thrust belt bordering Yunnan and Guangxi provided further evidence for the palaeotethysides. The oceanic crust was subducted southwestwards while the magmatic arc migrated northeastwards, and the continent-arc collision occurred in the Late Triassic with the thrusting being extended towards the north or northeast. The features of thrust-nappe structure are discussed, which proved the continental margin of the Palaeotethyan ocean there to be a complicated one. A face-to-face collision occurred first along the NW-striking segment and then along the ENE-striking segment accompanied by transpression or oblique thrusting occurring along the NW-striking one.

Hydrodynamic Evolution and Hydrocarbon Accumulation in the Dabashan Foreland Thrust Belt,China

There are two plays in the Dabashan foreland tectonic belt： the upper and the lower plays. The lower play experienced one sedimentary hydrodynamic stage, two burial hydrodynamic stages, two tectonic hydrodynamic stages and two infiltration hydrodynamic stages from the Sinian to the Cenozoic, while the upper play had one sedimentary hydrodynamic stage, one burial hydrodynamic stage, two tectonic hydrodynamic stages and one infiltration hydrodynamic stage from the Permian to the Cenozoic. Extensive flows of both sedimentary water, including hydrocarbons, and deep mantle fluid occurred in the Chengkou faults during collision orogeny in the Middle-Late Triassic Indosinian orogeny, and fluid flow was complicated during intracontinental orogeny in the Middle-Late Jurassic. In addition to these movements, infiltration and movement of meteoric water took place in the Chengkou faults, whereas in the covering-strata decollement tectonic belt, extensive sedimentary water flow （including hydrocarbons） occurred mainly in the Zhenba and Pingba faults. During the stage of rapid uplift and exhumation from the Cretaceous to the Cenozoic, the fluid flow was characterized mainly by infiltration of meteoric water and gravity-induced flow caused by altitude difference, whereas sedimentary water flow caused by tectonic processes was relatively less significant. Sedimentary water flow was more significant to the lower play in hydrocarbon migration and accumulation during collision orogeny in the Middle-Late Triassic Indosinian orogeny, but its influence is relatively slight on the upper play. On one hand, hydrodynamics during intracontinental orogeny in the Middle-Late Jurassic adjusted, reformed or oven destroyed oil reservoirs in the lower play; on the other hand, it drove large amounts of hydrocarbons to migrate laterally and vertically and is favorable for hydrocarbon accumulation. Infiltration hydrodynamics mainly adjusted and destroyed oil reservoirs from the Cretaceous to the Cenozoic.

Efectiveness and petroleum geological signifcance of tectonic fractures in the ultra‑deep zone of the Kuqa foreland thrust belt:a case study of the Cretaceous Bashijiqike Formation in the Keshen gas feld

The buried depth of the gas-producing reservoir in the Kuqa foreland thrust belt of the Tarim Basin exceeds 6000 m.The average matrix porosity of the reservoir is 5.5%,and the average matrix permeability is 0.128×10^(−3)μm^(2).In order to reveal the characteristics and efectiveness of ultra-deep fractures and their efects on reservoir properties and natural gas production,outcrops,cores,thin section,image logs and production testing data are used to investigate the efectiveness of tectonic fractures in ultra-deep reservoirs in the Kuqa foreland thrust zone,and the corresponding geological signifcance for oil and gas exploration and development are discussed.Tectonic fractures in the thrust belt include EW-trending high-angle tensile fractures and NS-trending vertical shear fractures.The former has a relatively high flling rate,while the latter is mostly unflled.Micro-fractures are usually grain-piercing-through cracks with width of 10-100 microns.In the planar view,the efective fractures are concentrated in the high part and wing zones of the long axis of the anticline,and along the vertical direction,they are mainly found in the tensile fracture zone above the neutral plane.The adjustment fracture zone has the strongest vertical extension abilities and high efectiveness,followed by the nearly EW longitudinal tensile fracture zone,and the netted fracture zone with multiple dip angles.The efectiveness of fracture is mainly controlled by fracture aperture and flling degrees.Efective fractures can increase reservoir permeability by 1-2 orders of magnitude.The higher part of the anticline is associated with high tectonic fracture permeability,which control enrichment and high production of natural gas.The netted vertical open fractures efectively communicate with pores and throats of the reservoir matrix,which forms an apparent-homogenous to medium-heterogeneous body that is seen with high production of natural gas sustained for a long term.

Three-dimensional discrete element numerical simulation of Paleogene salt structures in the western Kuqa foreland thrust belt

Taking the Paleogene salt strata in the west of Kuqa foreland thrust belt as study object, the deformation features of salt structure in the compression direction and perpendicular to the compression direction were examined to find out the control factors and formation mechanisms of the salt structures. By using the three-dimensional discrete element numerical simulation method, the formation mechanisms of typical salt structures of western Kuqa foreland thrust belt in Keshen and Dabei work areas were comprehensively analyzed. The simulation results show that the salt deformation in Keshen and Dabei work areas is of forward spread type, with deformation concentrated in the piedmont zone;the salt deformation is affected by the early uplift near the compression end, pre-existing basement faults, synsedimentary process and the initial salt depocenter;in the direction perpendicular to the compression direction, salt rocks near the compression end have strong lateral mobility with the velocity component moving towards the middle part, and the closer to the middle, the larger the velocity will be, so that salt rocks will aggregate towards the middle and deform intensely, forming complex folds and separation of salt structures from salt source, and local outcrop with thrust faults. Compared with 2 D simulation, 3 D simulation can analyze salt structures in the principal stress direction and direction perpendicular to the principal stress, give us a full view of the formation mechanisms of salt structures, and guide the exploration of oil and gas reservoirs related to salt structures.

Characteristics,origin and controlling effects on hydrocarbon accumulation of overpressure in foreland thrust belt of southern margin of Junggar Basin,NW China

Aiming at the differential distribution of overpressure in vertical and lateral directions in the foreland thrust belt in the southern margin of Junggar Basin,the study on overpressure origin identification and overpressure evolution simulation is carried out.Based on the measured formation pressure,drilling fluid density and well logging data,overpressure origin identification and overpressure evolution simulation techniques are used to analyze the vertical and lateral distribution patterns of overpressure,genetic mechanisms of overpressure in different structural belts and causes of the differential distribution of overpressure,and the controlling effects of overpressure development and evolution on the formation and distribution of oil and gas reservoirs.The research shows that overpressure occurs in multiple formations vertically in the southern Junggar foreland thrust belt,the deeper the formation,the bigger the scale of the overpressure is.Laterally,overpressure is least developed in the mountain front belt,most developed in the fold anticline belt,and relatively developed in the slope belt.The differential distribution of overpressure is mainly controlled by the differences in disequilibrium compaction and tectonic compression strengths of different belts.The vertical overpressure transmission caused by faults connecting the deep overpressured system has an important contribution to the further increase of the overpressure strength in this area.The controlling effect of overpressure development and evolution on hydrocarbon accumulation and distribution shows in the following aspects:When the strong overpressure was formed before reservoir becoming tight overpressure maintains the physical properties of deep reservoirs to some extent,expanding the exploration depth of deep reservoirs;reservoirs below the overpressured mudstone cap rocks of the Paleogene Anjihaihe Formation and Lower Cretaceous Tugulu Group are main sites for oil and gas accumulation;under the background of overall overpressure,both overpressure strength too high or too low are not conducive to hydrocarbon enrichment and preservation,and the pressure coefficient between 1.6 and 2.1 is the best.

SEGMENTATION OF FORELAND BELTS AND RELATIONSHIP WITH BASEMENT DEFORMATION IN THE SOUTHWEST TARIM BASIN

In the foreland belts of Pamir\|West Kunlun (PWK) and Southern Tienshan (ST), the thin\|skinned thrusting systems (tsts) from mountains thrusting to the Southwest Tarim Basin (STB) and the back\|thrusting systems (bts) from basin thrusting to the adjacent mountains were developed. The different active structural systems can be segmented: Kazike\|Arte deformed bts and tsts, Yigeziya tsts, Qimugen arcurate bts, Qipan thrusting and faulted\|folded system, Kekeya tsts, Keliyang—Yuliqun bts, Sangzhu\|Duwa tsts and Cele arcurate thr usting system along the PWK foreland belts, and Kalajun—Kalpin tsts, Atushi\|Bapanshuimo bts along the foreland belts of ST.Through the study of aerial magnetic anomalies and many seismic profiles, we found that all bts and their triangle zones were formed over the NE—SW basement depressions of STB (thickness of sedimentary covers >10km). We also found that all tsts were formed over the basement uplift belts of STB (thickness of sedimentary covers <10km, 6～10km in general).In the basement depression of the basin, the bts and their triangle zones could be transformed to tsts due to continuous compression. The largest displacement of the tsts or bts is located in the convex part but the shortest displacement is located in the conjunction area of two segments. The arcurate tsts and bts display different displacements along foreland belts.

基于离散元数值模拟的构造变形机制分析方法——以准噶尔盆地南缘为例

受多期构造运动影响,准噶尔盆地南缘前陆冲断褶皱带具横向东西分段、南北分带,纵向构造叠置的变形特征。但该区构造变形机制及样式的不同认识在一定程度上制约了油气勘探的深入。为探究准南缘新生代以来构造变形机制及其变形过程,本文利用高精度地震、钻井和岩石力学等资料,根据实际地质条件,重点考虑滑脱层的数量、强度及厚度变化,结合滑脱层纵向组合、横向分布范围及同沉积作用、先存构造等因素,共设计了10组模型,并采用离散元数值模拟方法开展了对比实验。实验结果表明,滑脱层强度、厚度及其组合主要控制冲断褶皱带构造纵向叠置关系及构造样式,滑脱层分布及同沉积作用主要控制其横向变形范围,先存构造主要影响后期构造的继承性发育。在此基础上,分段开展了多因素组合模拟实验并与实际地震剖面进行对比,重构了准南缘构造变形过程,揭示了新生代以来其构造变形机制,即先存断裂、古凸起、三套不同性质滑脱层纵向叠置关系和同沉积作用共同控制了西段构造的形成与演化,“下强上弱”“下薄上厚”两套纵向叠置滑脱层控制了中段构造的形成与演化,先存断裂及单套较弱滑脱层控制了东段构造的形成与演化。该方法可为类似的复杂构造变形区提供参考。

库车前陆冲断带构造分层变形特征

库车前陆冲断带地震资料信噪比低,具有多解性。利用高分辨率三维地震、钻井、油气分析化验等资料,对库车前陆冲断带地层组合进行系统描述,精细解释构造模型,深入剖析油气成藏体系,认为库车前陆冲断带发育古近系和新近系膏盐岩层及三叠系和侏罗系煤层2套滑脱层,具有分层滑脱、垂向叠置、多期变形的特征,浅层构造发育盖层滑脱褶皱,深层发育基底卷入式叠瓦状逆冲构造,膏盐岩层和煤层发生滑脱塑性变形,发育加里东运动期、海西运动晚期—印支运动期和燕山运动期—喜马拉雅运动期3期断裂,海西运动晚期—印支运动期构造控制中生界沉积,由北向南具有超覆减薄的特征。库车前陆冲断带分层构造变形控制油气分层运聚,煤层以上的油气主要来自侏罗系烃源岩,煤层之下的油气主要来自三叠系,三叠系烃源岩生烃量占60%,大量油气仍保存在煤层之下。

塔里木盆地西北缘乌什西次凹的地层系统和构造特征

乌什西次凹位于塔里木盆地西北缘,隶属于库车坳陷的乌什凹陷。它位于南天山主山脉(哈尔克山)和塔里木盆地柯坪—温宿凸起之间。区域构造格局上,这里是塔里木克拉通向西北自然延伸的部分。次凹北缘的阿合奇断裂是南天山造山带和塔里木克拉通的分界。乌什西次凹内发育与柯坪—温宿凸起相似的晚前寒武纪—古生代地层系统,包括寒武系、奥陶系和石炭系的烃源岩。新近系—第四系碎屑岩建造直接不整合于变形的古生代被动大陆边缘碎屑岩—碳酸盐岩沉积建造之上;剖面上,向南天山方向加厚,向塔里木克拉通方向减薄,呈现典型的前陆盆地剖面结构特征。这是一个晚新生代陆内前陆盆地,叠加在晚海西期—燕山期古隆起之上。这里的构造变形主要有3期,分别是中海西期、晚海西期—印支期和晚喜山期。变形以厚皮冲断构造及其相关褶皱为主,薄皮构造不发育。平面上,主构造线走向NE-SW。剖面上,以南天山向塔里木冲断为主。

志留系泥页岩滑脱层对大巴山前陆冲断带构造样式的影响——基于物理模拟研究

大巴山前陆冲断带处于秦岭造山带与四川盆地的过渡区,是四川盆地大中型油气藏探明储量的主要分布区,也是盆山耦合研究的典型区。该地区发育三套主要滑脱层,前人研究多以底层寒武系泥页岩和顶层上三叠统膏盐岩作为区域主控滑脱层,认为中间层志留系滑脱层使褶皱冲断带的构造样式复杂化,但是中间滑脱层对大巴山前陆冲断带的具体影响研究较少。本文通过物理模拟设计两组实验、四个模型,探讨了相同厚度的硅胶和玻璃微珠作为基底滑脱层时,中间滑脱层对于模型整体构造样式的影响,分析了其与基底及沉积盖层的相互作用。实验结果显示:①硅胶作基底滑脱层时,正向逆冲断层和反向逆冲断层数量相当,反冲断层多为自基底逆冲的断层。玻璃微珠作为基底滑脱层时,存在中间滑脱层的体系以正向逆冲断层为主,反冲断层多为浅部小型断层;②中间滑脱层的引入降低了整个体系的强度,使体系中构造变形更加复杂,模型中出现脱耦现象。中间滑脱层对前陆方向的变形起主导作用,促进了模型远端前陆方向的传播,垂向上沉积载荷的增大激活了中间滑脱层对挤压端构造样式的影响;③模拟表明,该地区志留系滑脱层使剖面出现脱耦,寒武系基底滑脱层为摩擦滑脱层,上三叠统之上发育较薄沉积盖层。

准噶尔盆地四棵树凹陷多期应力场作用下的构造演化特征

准噶尔盆地南缘四棵树凹陷位于北天山山前冲断带西段,盆地自古生代以来经历了多期、多向的构造运动;明确研究区构造系统特征及其演化过程,对此类含油气盆地的油气勘探开发具有重要意义。在前人地质研究的基础上,结合详细的地震资料解释、地质调查与地层发育特征,根据研究区构造发育背景,以四棵树凹陷构造格局的变动和多期应力场为线索,对四棵树凹陷构造演化过程进行了系统性分析。研究表明,四棵树凹陷深部发育挤压反转-走滑构造层、浅部发育推覆-滑脱构造层;平面上根据构造样式发育特征可划分为南部挤压断褶带、中部走滑压扭带、北部隆起带;凹陷经历了2期强烈的构造隆升期,对应2期断裂活动高峰期;构造环境及应力场条件发生了多次转变,晚石炭世至早中二叠世为弧后裂陷背景下的NNW-SSE向伸展裂陷期、晚二叠世至三叠纪为扎伊尔山造山运动下NNW-SSE向挤压的断坳转换期、晚侏罗世至古近纪为周缘造山带与车排子凸起的共同作用下NNW-SSE向挤压陆内坳陷期、新近纪为北天山强烈的造山活动背景下NS向挤压作用的复活前陆盆地期。通过探讨多期应力场作用下四棵树凹陷的构造演化特征,进一步深入认识了此类含油气盆地整体构造格局的变动过程,也为研究区油气资源下一步勘探提供了新思路。

巴布亚褶皱带构造解释与构造特征分析

巴布亚褶皱带的地震资料品质差,变形机制不明,地震解释模式的不确定使得地震解释多解性强;且不同构造带变形特征、油气分布差异大。运用沙箱模拟实验明确构造解释模式,采用轴面分析开展地震构造解释,并开展平衡剖面恢复对解释成果进行验证,最后通过构造解释厘清了褶皱带的构造特征,指明了有利构造区。

Tectonic evolution of the Dabashan orocline, central China: Insights from the superposed folds in the eastern Dabashan foreland

The Dabashan orocline is situated in the northwestern margin of the central Yangtze block,central China.Previous studies have defined the orthogonal superposed folds growing in its central-western segment thereby confirming its two-stage tectonic evolution history.Geological mapping has revealed that more types of superposed folds have developed in the eastern segment of the orocline,which probably provides more clues for probing the structure and tectonic history of the Dabashan orocline.In this paper,based on geological mapping,structural measurements and analyses of deformation,we have identified three groups of folds with different trends （e.g.NW-,NE-and nearly E-trending folds） and three types of structural patterns of superposed folds in the eastern Dabashan foreland （e.g.syn-axial,oblique,and conjunctional superposed folds）.In combination with geochronological data,we propose that the synaxial superposed folds are due to two stages of ～N-S shortening in the west and north of the Shennongjia massif,and that oblique superposed folds have been resulted from the superposition of the NW-and NE-trending folds onto the early ～ E-W folds in the east of the Shennongjia massif in the late Jurassic to early Cretaceous.The conjunctional folds are composed of the NW-and NE-trending folds,corresponding to the regional-scale dual-orocline in the eastern Sichuan as a result of the southwestward expansion of the Dabashan foreland during late Jurassic to early Cretaceous,coeval with the northwestward propagation of the Xuefengshan foreland.Integration of the structure and geochronology of the belt shows that the Dabashan orocline is a combined deformation belt primarily experiencing a twostage tectonic evolution history in Mesozoic,initiation of the Dabashan orocline as a foreland basin along the front of the Qinling orogen in late Triassic to early Jurassic due to collisional orogeny,and the final formation of the Dabashan orocline owing to the southwestward propagation of the Qinling orogen during late Jurassic to early Cretaceous intra-continental orogeny.Our studies provide some evidences for understanding the structure and deformation of the Dabashan orocline.

Simulation of the Subsidence and Deposition Processes of the Foreland Basin in the Southwestern Margin of Ordos

Characteristics of deformation in the thrust belt and sequence stratigraphic framework in the foreland basin, structural features of the basin margin, and the episodic thrusting are studied in this paper by combining the eastern Qilian thrust belt and the Late Triassic foreland basin on the southwestern margin of Ordos. On this basis, a geological model and a mechanical model of coupling mechanism were established for the pair of thrust belt and foreland basin, and the subsidence and deposition process of the foreland basin were simulated on given parameters.

Dynamic Settings and Interactions between Basin Subsidence and Orogeny in Zhoukou Depression and Dabie Orogenic Belt

This paper presents a study of the geo dynamic setting and the relation between orogenic uplift and basin subsidence in the inland Zhoukou depression and Dabie orogenic belt. Since the Mesozoic the evolution of Zhoukou depression can be divided into three stages: (1) foreland basin, (2) transitional stage, (3) fault depression. Formation and variations of basin were not only related to the orogenesis, but also consistent with the orogenic uplift.

Application Effect of CEMP in the Foreland Basin on the Western Edge of Ordos

Foreland basins on the western edge of Ordos are characterized by typical loess geomorphologic features. Its surface is severely cut, and its underground geological structures are complicated.Making use of the advantage of CEMP in exploration in frontland as well as successful multi-year exploration experiences in West China, we first employed the CEMP method to conduct exploration on the western edge of the Ordos basin and its surrounding areas. The practices proved that rich and reliable geological results have been achieved with the CEMP method in complicated areas covered with loess. This can provide important evidence for researching the contact relationship among basins and mountains, structural feature of target layers and predict favourable areas.

Geological Characteristics and Genesis of the Jiamoshan MVT Pb–Zn Deposit in the Sanjiang belt, Tibetan Plateau

The carbonate-hosted Pb–Zn deposits in the Sanjiang metallogenic belt on the Tibetan Plateau are typical of MVT Pb–Zn deposits that form in thrust-fold belts. The Jiamoshan Pb–Zn deposit is located in the Changdu area in the middle part of the Sanjiang belt, and it represents a new style of MVT deposit that was controlled by karst structures in a thrust–fold system. Such a karst-controlled MVT Pb–Zn deposit in thrust settings has not previously been described in detail, and we therefore mapped the geology of the deposit and undertook a detailed study of its genesis. The karst structures that host the Jiamoshan deposit were formed in Triassic limestones along secondary reverse faults, and the orebodies have irregular tubular shapes. The main sulfide minerals are galena, sphalerite, and pyrite that occur in massive and lamellar form. The ore-forming fluids belonged to a Mg2+–Na+–K+–SO2-4–Cl-–F-–NO-3–H2 O system at low temperatures(120–130°C) but with high salinities(19–22% NaCl eq.). We have recognized basinal brine as the source of the ore-forming fluids on the basis of their H–O isotopic compositions(-145‰ to-93‰ for δDV-SMOW and-2.22‰ to 13.00‰ for δ18 Ofluid), the ratios of Cl/Br(14–1196) and Na/Br(16–586) in the hydrothermal fluids, and the C–O isotopic compositions of calcite(-5.0‰ to 3.7‰ for δ13 CV-PDB and 15.1‰ to 22.3‰ for δ18 OV-SMOW). These fluids may have been derived from evaporated seawater trapped in marine strata at depth or from Paleogene–Neogene basins on the surface. The δ34 S values are low in the galena(-3.2‰ to 0.6‰) but high in the barite(27.1‰), indicating that the reduced sulfur came from gypsum in the regional Cenozoic basins and from sulfates in trapped paleo-seawater by bacterial sulfate reduction. The Pb isotopic compositions of the galena samples(18.3270–18.3482 for 206 Pb/204 Pb, 15.6345–15.6390 for 207 Pb/204 Pb, and 38.5503–38.5582 for 208 Pb/204 Pb) are similar to those of the regional Triassic volcanic-arc rocks that formed during the closure of the Paleo-Tethys, indicating these arc rocks were the source of the metals in the deposit. Taking into account our new observations and data, as well as regional Pb–Zn metallogenic processes, we present here a new model for MVT deposits controlled by karst structures in thrust–fold systems.