Method and Description of Sedimentary System Characterization Based on Sequence Stratigraphy

A Oilfield is the most representative mid to deep oil field in the Bohai Sea, with the main oil bearing intervals being the upper and middle Shahejie-3 sections of the Paleogene Shahejie Formation. By combining well seismic analysis, the middle section of Shahejie-3 is divided into high-level system tract and forced lake retreat system tract, corresponding to the II oil formation and I oil formation, respectively. Using sequence stratigraphy methods, based on seismic profiles and drilling lithological cycles, the high stand system tract is divided into 5 stages of delta progradation. The first and second stages are high angle S-type progradation with large sedimentary thickness, the third stage is oblique progradation, and the fourth and fifth stages are S-oblique composite progradation;By combining seismic data, we characterized the large-scale (8 small-scale) progradation bodies of 5 periods, clarified the distribution characteristics of reservoir planes, and laid the foundation for the later exploration of oilfield potential.

Sequential Analysis in the Identification of 3rd Order System Tract in the Abidjan Margin

The use of sequential stratigraphy concept, based on well logs, sedimentology, and biostratigraphy, has shed light on the complex mechanisms controlling sedimentary accumulations. Consequently, identifying these mechanisms allows us to predict the hydrocarbon generation potential of source rocks. In the Ivorian offshore sedimentary basin, certain studies have contributed to understanding and characterizing the petroleum system. However, these previous works did not integrate biostratigraphic data to highlight sedimentary facies. This study, conducted on two wells in the Abidjan margin, is crucial as it helps us comprehend the geometry of fossil sediments in relation to sea level variations. It will also aid in reconstructing the basin-filling history and predicting the distribution of rocks capable of trapping oil, determining lowstand systems tracts (reservoir rocks), transgressive systems tracts, and highstand systems tracts (cap rocks). Lithological analysis revealed predominantly clayey sedimentation with sandy layers. Well log data facilitated the delineation of formation boundaries and highlighted reservoirs consisting of sands, sandstones, limestones, and occasionally intercalated shales. Integrating these analysis results with biostratigraphic interpretations based on foraminifera and palynomorphs revealed that the traversed formations were deposited in a transitional environment ranging from Coniacian to Maastrichtian ages. Applying sequential stratigraphy concept from well logging resolved dating issues encountered in microfossil-poor or microfossil-free zones. The results of the Coniacian-Maastrichtian age sequential subdivision were aligned with the chart.

The Cretaceous System in China

This paper provides an outline of Cretaceous stratigraphy and paleogeography in China, which is based on rich data obtained from recent researches. Cretaceous deposits are widespread in China. Most strata are of nonmarine origin and marine sediments occur only in Tibet, western Tarim Basin of Xinjiang, Taiwan and limited localities of eastern Heilongjiang. AH deposits are rich in fossils and well-constrained biostratigraphically. The stratigraphic successions of different regions are illustrated, and general stratigraphic division and correlation have been introduced. The marine deposits are described in the Tibetan Tethys, Kashi-Hotan Region of Xinjiang, eastern Heilongjiang, western Yunnan and Taiwan; the nonmarine deposits are outlined from northeast China, southeast China, southern interior China, southwest China, the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia region, and northwestern China intermontane basins. The sedimentary facies and paleogeography are diversified. In Tibet the basin evolution is largely related to the subduction and collision of the Indian Plate against the Eurasian Continent, and shows a tectonic evolution in the Cretaceous. Foraminifera are a dominant biota in the Tibet Tethys. Nonmarine sediments include variegated and red beds, coal- or salt-bearing horizons, and volcanic rocks. These deposits contain diverse and abundant continental faunas and floras, as well as important coal and oil resources. The Cretaceous stratigraphy and paleogeography in China have presented a foundation for geological studies.

Sequence Stratigraphy of the Desert System: A Case Study of the Lower Cretaceous in the Kuqa Basin in Xinjiang, Northwestern China

The Lower Cretaceous strata in the Kuqa Basin in Xinjiang are marked by a set of arid red beds. Several types of sedimentary fades can be identified in this set of arid red beds: mudstones of the plaza and intracontinental sebkha, aeolian sandstones, sandy conglomerates of the intermittent river, conglomerates of the pluvial fan, etc. These types of sedimentary facies constitute a typical desert system. Therefore, the Cretaceous strata in the Kuqa Basin provide a favorable condition for studies of sequence stratigraphic divisions of the desert system. With the rise and fall of the base level of the sedimentary basin, cyclicity is clearly revealed in stratigraphic records, which helps the identification of the third-order sequences. Based on the cyclicity in stratigraphic records, 5 third-order sequences can be found in the strata of the Early Cretaceous in the Kuqa Basin. These sequences comprise a second-order tectonic sequence. The primary feature of these third-order sequences is of an upward-fining sedimentary succession formed by a succession of 'coarse sediments of the alluvial system-fine sediments of the lake system'. The result of this study shows that aeolian sandstones are the best reservoirs of natural gas in the Cretaceous strata in the Kuqa Basin, and that the Kela-2 gas field is the first large gas field dominated by aeolian sandstone reservoirs in China.

Controls of Tectonics on both Sedimentary Sequences and Petroleum Systems in Tarim Basin, Northwest China

Various orders of sequences were recognized in the Tarim Basin from unconformities. Three mega-sequence groups, six mega-sequences, sixteen super-sequences and forty-two sequences were determined from the Sinian to the Quaternary. The mega-sequences and super-sequences were in accordance with the locally tectonic events occurring in both the north and the south margins of the Tarim plate. The global sea level changes only worked to control formations in the tectonically stable periods or in the low order sequences. The sequences had close relationship to the source rocks, reservoirs and cap rocks, and the tectonic events determined the migration, accumulation, and preservation of the hydrocarbon. The three mega-sequence group cycles, including the early cycle-the Sinian-middle Devonian, the middle cycle-the upper Devonian-Triassic, and the late cycle-the Jurassic-Quaternary, corresponded to three reservoir formation cycles. So, it can be concluded that the local tectonic events controlled both the sequences and the distribution of oil and gas in the Tarim Basin.

Character of Terrestrial Sequence Stratigraphy and Depositional System in Incised Valley, Outcrop Area of Karamay Oilfield, Junggar Basin, China

In the Karamay oilfield located on the northwestern margin of Junggar basin, Xinjiang, China, a large area of the Karamay Formation is exposed at outcrop in the northeast of the oilfield, a consequence of thrusting. The Middle Triassic Karamay Formation in the outcrop area is a type of terrestrial third-order sequence, bounded by two easily recognizable sequence boundaries: a regional surface of angular unconformity (SB1) at the base and a regional unconformity (SB2) at the top. Within the Karamay Formation, two lacustrine expansion events can be recognized and be used to identify both the initial and the maximum lacustrine flooding surfaces. The two lacustrine flooding surfaces serve as references for the classification of this third-order sequence-Karamay Formation into the following three sedimentary successions: a lower lowstand systems tract (LST), a middle lacustrine-expanding systems tract (EST), and an upper highstand systems tract (HST). Different systems tracts are composed of different depositional system assemblages. In this paper, each depositional system is described in detail. The lowstand systems tract in the study area is characterized by incised valleys. At the base and on the margin of the incised valleys occur alluvial fan depositional systems, and in the upper and distal parts of the alluvial fan, low-sinuosity river depositional systems. The lacustrine-expanding systems tract consists of a lacustrine depositional system and a lacustrine delta depositional system, overlying the lower incised valley fills. The highstand systems tract is filled by a widespread lacustrine braided delta depositional system. The analysis of sequence stratigraphy in this paper serves the description of the spatial distribution of the reservoir. The depositional system analysis serves the description of the reservoir types. Field investigations of oil sandstone and oil seepage show that the Karamay Formation is composed of several types of reservoirs. However, two types of high quality reservoir occur both in the upper interval of the lowstand systems tract and in the lacustrine-expanding systems tract: gravelly low-sinuosity channel in the distal fans and sandy-gravelly distributary channel in the lacustrine delta plain.

TRIASSIC SEQUENCE STRATIGRAPHY AND CORRELATION FROM POLY-ARC AND BACK-ARC SYSTEM IN EASTERN TIBET

It is dominantly characterized that arc and back\|arc basin occur mutually in arc\|basin systems, Jomda arc and Sinda back\|arc basin located in Qamdo area are typical(Fig.1). Jomda arc covered by Triassic with thickness about 10000m.Marine sediments predominate, and are Characterized by the largely thick turbidity rocks and arc volcanic rocks of calc\|alkali suite which frequent volcanic events raised. Sinda back\|arc basin with a land\|crust basement is filled by the Upper Triassic sedimentary strata of more than 5000m. The active marginal sediments are composed of terrigenous,basinal and volcanic turbidity deposits of bathyal to deep\|sea facies,Characteristic extensive alkali basalts and submarine spout hot water deposits. Based on investigation of the cutcrop pro\|file, isotime grillwork for Triassic sequence stratigraphy has been established. for example Jomda arc basin, including 6 type 1 and 4 type 2 boundaries.10 three\|order sequences are divided, including 6 type 1 and 4 type 2 sequences. These sequences evolves during 37Ma,the estimated average time of a sequences is 3～7Ma,with being generally 1～2Ma,the longest being about 10Ma. type 1 and type 2 sequence boundaries are identified, in Upper Triassic Sinda back\|arc basin two type 1 and one type 2 sequences are divided. Relations have been first concluded among mainly controlled factors of sequence stratigraphies in arc and back\|arc basin systems. First, more sequences product and three\|units of its structures are complete in arc systems of complicated tectonic\|volcanic topographies, for example Jomda arc area of island\|sea framework, because lots of deposits are supplied and accumulations are allowed. Secondly, tectonic control is very clear, type 1 boundaries of SQ1 and SQ7 are clearly unconformity interfaces stressed by tectonism.Thirdly,volcanic rocks is greatly related with sequences, and there are various volcanic rocks in mang sequences,for example Jomda sequence stratigraphies,volcanic rocks of calc alkaline suite occurs in LST which thickness occupying in LST is middle; both tholeiite and calc\|alkaline,alkaline suite (Sinda back\|arc area) in TST, thickness smallest; calc\|alkaline suite in HST, Thickness biggest. It proves that intra\|genetic association between volcanic and relative sea\|level changes, which is gained by the concordance of thick curves of volcanic rock and sea\|level in different systematic traces. When thickness of volcanic rocks growing or progressing, relative sea\|level falls; otherwise, when reducing, it rises. There are larger differences in quantities, structures and types of sequences by comparing sequence stratigraphies of arc, back\|arc with craton area. Those varieties are responses for interactions among tectonic\|volcano, sediment and eustacy. It is pointed out that tectonic and arc volcanic processes are crucial.

THE PERMIAN SYSTEM OF THE NUJIANG—LANCANGJIANG—JINSHAJIANG AREA, SOUTHWESTERN CHINA

Permian system is one of the best developed systems in Sanjiang area. In Yidun\|Zhongdian and in Zhiso\|Muli, The Lower Permian is clastics\|carbonates\|volcanics with interbeds of siliceous sediments, Whereas the Upper Permian is composed of lower part of basic volcanics and upper part of clastics\|carbonates with a total thickness of 1000～4000 meters .In Zhongzha (Batang)\|Jingping region, It is mainly carbonates of 217～1320 meters thick, But in Jingping proper, there occur about 5000 meters thick basalts of early late Permian . From Batang to Benzinan along the Jinshajiang river , the lower Permian is clastics\|volcanics\|carbonates formation with interbeds of siliceous sediments and spilite formation; Whereas the Upper Permian is clastics with volcanic interbeds; The total thickness being 3700 to 7100 meters. In Jiangda—Mangco (Mangkang), It is clastic\|carbonate\|volcanic formation of 1100 to 2400 meters . In Tuoba (Qamdo)—Haitong (Mankang)—Ximi (Mujiang ), It is mainly clastics\|carbonates formation , the Upper Permian being coal\|bearing clastics sequence and the total thickness being 700～2500 meters ,In Zhado—Zhasuosuo (Mangkang)—Deqing—Qinggu—Qinghong, It is clastic\|carbonate\|volcanic formation, locally with coal\|bearing clastics of Upper Permian and the total thickness of mainly carbonate formation and clastic formation with coal\|bearing clastic formation of Uppermian, is 800 to 2000 meters. In the whole area , the Permian strata were slightly metamorphosed, locally more intensively metamorphosed up to amphibolite facies. The fossils found belong to fusulinids, coral, brachiopods,ammonite,bivalve, gastropods, bryozoa,foraminifera, trilobite, algae ,porifera (sponge), and continental plant . Besides the Gondwana cold\|water type components of brachiopods found in Baoshan, the fossils belong mainly to Cathaysian biota, especially to South China type. In some places such as Mangkang, Guxue (Dewong), to South China type. In some places such as Mangkang, Guxue (Dewong), and Wachang (Muli), the resedimented Late Carboniferous fusulinid fossils can be found in the clastic limestone of Lower Permian, and the Early Permian or even Middle to Late Carboniferous fusulinid fossils found in Upper Permian classic limestone. All these suggest the resedimentation of biolimestone blocks or fragments related to fault\|volcanism .On the section of Tongba (Muli), the permian is continuous graded upwards into the Triassic, with a transitional zone of fossil.

Occurrence of Mafic Rocks within Ediacaran Strata in the Aksu Region,NW Tarim Craton,and its Geological Implications

The Tarim Craton is an ancient Precambrian continental block,and detailed knowledge of its thermo-tectonic history is crucial for understanding the early history of continental evolution.Abundant layered mafic rocks,which have commonly been regarded as basalts,occur within the Ediacaran Sugetbrak Formation(Fm.)in the Aksu region of the northwestern Tarim Craton.Clear intrusive features have now been discovered,including mafic rocks truncating Ediacaran sedimentary layers,exhibiting an intrusion-baked margin where they interact with both the overlying and bottom wall rocks,and displaying a fine-grained transition zone from their interior to their margins.The new findings demonstrate that these mafic rocks within the Aksu Ediacaran strata were not erupted basalts but instead are intrusive diabase dykes.Therefore,these mafic rocks cannot be used to constrain the timing of the Sugetbrak Fm.in the Aksu area,nor as marker layers for regional stratigraphic correlation.Furthermore,the Ediacaran thermo-tectonic evolution in this region,deduced from the assumption that the mafic rocks are lavas,needs to be revised.

Stratigraphic identification using real-time drilling data

Identification of stratigraphic interfaces and lithology is a key aspect in geological and geotechnical investigations.In this study,a monitoring while-drilling system was developed,along with a corresponding data pre-processing method.The method can handle invalid drilling data generated during manual operations.The correlation between various drilling parameters was analyzed,and a database of stratigraphic interfaces and key lithology identification based on the monitoring parameters was established.The average drilling speed was found to be the most suitable parameter for stratigraphic and lithology identification,and when the average drilling speed varied over a wide range,it corresponded to a stratigraphic interface.The average drilling speeds in sandy mudstone and sandstone strata were in the ranges of 0.1e0.2 m/min and 0.2e0.29 m/min,respectively.The results obtained using the present method were consistent with geotechnical survey results.The proposed method can be used for realtime lithology identification and represents a novel approach for intelligent geotechnical surveying.

The Upper Jurassic sediments,Marib-Shabwa Basin,Yemen:Lithofacies aspects and sequence stratigraphic analysis

The present study is devoted to understanding the evolution of the Upper Jurassic Sab'atayn Formation in the Marib-Shabwa Basin,Yemen,through a sequence stratigraphic analysis based on integrating datasets of sedimentology,seismic sections,and well logs.The Sab'atayn Formation(Tithonian age)is represented by a series of clastic and evaporites that were deposited under fluvio-deltaic to prodeltaic settings.It is divided into four members including Yah(at the base),upwards to Seen,Alif,and Safir at the top.Two third-order depositional sequences were determined for the Tithonian succession which were separated by three sequence boundaries.These sequences were classified into their systems tracts signifying several sedimentation patterns of progradational,aggradational,and retrogradational parasequence sets.The first depositional sequence corresponds to the early-middle Tithonian Yah and Seen units that can be classified into lowstand,transgressive,and highstand systems tracts.The second sequence comprises the late Tithonian Alif unit that can be subdivided into transgressive and highstand systems tracts.The sandy deposits of the Alif Member(highstand deposits)represent the most productive hydrocarbon reservoir in the basin.The Upper Jurassic sediments in the study area were resulted from a combination of eustatic and tectonic effects.

Prediction of favorable geological storage areas based on sedimentary characteristics:A case study on the northeastern Ordos Basin,China

The Ordos Basin is a large cratonic basin with stable deposition in Northwest China.Given its mostly stable subsidence background and the urgent need for saline water disposal and carbon dioxide storage in the coal mining and coal chemical industries,the Ordos Basin has been chosen as a pilot demonstration site for carbon dioxide and saline water storage in China.However,few studies have been made to evaluate the sedimentary and sequence stratigraphy characteristics of this region,as well as their influence on carbon dioxide and saline water storage potential.To address this research gap,we conducted a sedimentary study of the Lower Triassic Liujiagou Formation in the northeastern Ordos Basin utilizing the stratigraphy theory,laboratory test analysis,and pilot project demonstration,to evaluate the area's viability for the deep geological storage of gas and liquid waste.We studied the tectonic setting,petrological features,and sedimentary characteristics of the favorable strata and predicted favorable areas based on sequence stratigraphy theory.The lithology predominantly consists of feldspathic graywacke,with a fine grain size and mostly fine-to-medium-grained sandstone.The distribution of thick-grained sandstone and fine-grained sediment was identified by dividing the sequence,and a favorable reservoir-cap assemblage configuration was formed.It's concluded that the Lower Triassic Liujiagou Formation exhibits suitable characteristics for the deep geological storage of carbon dioxide and saline water.This study demonstrates the importance of basic theory in guiding practical applications and provides a reference for the scientific selection of favorable areas for deep basin storage.

Highlighting relationships between sand thicknesses,reservoir-seal pairs and paleobathymetry from a sequence stratigraphic perspective:An example from Tortonian Serravallian deposits,onshore Niger Delta Basin

The utilization of sequence stratigraphic concepts in identifying sands and their spatial continuity in distinct gross depositional settings is key,especially in frontier settings where data paucity is a common challenge.In the Baka field,onshore Niger Delta,detailed reservoir correlation guided by sequence stratigraphic framework analysis showed the distribution of sand and shale units constituting reservoirseal pairs(RSP)correlatable across the field.Within the 3rd-order packages,it is observed that the lowstand systems tract(LST)and highstand systems tract(HST)contain more RSPs and thicker 4th-and 5th-order sands than the transgressive systems tract(TST).In terms of bathymetry,it is noted that irrespective of systems tracts,the RSP Index(RI)decreases from the proximal shallow/inner shelf settings to the more distal outer shelf areas.Amongst all three systems tracts,intervals interpreted as lowstand prograding complexes contain the best developed sands and highest RSP.Sand development within the LSTs has been controlled by a pronounced growth fault regime accompanied by high subsidence and sedimentation rates.This is linked to the basinward migration of the sands during prolonged sea-level fall,creating significant accommodation space for sand deposition.On the other hand,the TSTs known to mark periods of progressive sea-level rise and landward migration of sandy facies,show thinner sands enclosed in much thicker,laterally extensive,and better-preserved deeper marine shales.Interpreted seismic sections indicate intense growth faulting and channelization that influenced the syn-and postdepositional development of the sand packages across the field.The initial timing of deformation of subregional faults in this area coincides with periods of abrupt falls in sea level.This approach could be useful for predicting sand-prone areas in frontier fields as well as possible reservoir-seal parameters required for some aspects of petroleum system analysis and quick-look volume estimation.

3D static modeling and sequence stratigraphy using well logs and seismic data:An example of Abu Roash G member in Bahga oilfield

This research uses both three-dimensional(3D)modeling and geologic well control to piece back together the architectural parts of the Late Cretaceous formations.The goal is to figure out the sizes,directions,locations,and controls of the layers of the fluvial sandstone reservoirs.Sequence stratigraphy is essential for 3D reservoir modeling and petroleum geology understanding in the Bahga oilfield.The purpose of this work is to create a static model that shows the layers and facies distribution in the reservoir interval.We will use data from nine well logs and 22 seismic lines calibrated by the Abu Roash G Member reservoir core intervals to accomplish this.The petrophysical study discovered three parts in the Abu Roash G Member reservoir rock:channel fill that is affected by tides,channel fill that is dominated by tides(intertidal sands),and channel top with lenticular bedded sandstone.The model's findings point to the existence of an NNW-oriented sand body,which could be a prime location to produce hydrocarbons.The original oil in place(OOIP)is about 3,438,279 Stock Tank Barrels(STB),and the oil reserve reaches up to 1,031,484(STB).Sequence stratigraphic analysis using seismic and well log information(SB)reveals that the Upper Cretaceous AR/G reservoir of the Bahga field is characterized by third-and fourth-order stratigraphic sequences,which are constrained by three Maximum Flooding Surfaces(MFS)and two Sequence Boundaries.The integration of the derived geological model and sequence stratigraphic results can lower future extraction risk by identifying the locations and trends of the geologic facies with the necessary petrophysical properties for the hydrocarbon accumulations.

贡嘎山南坡三叠系露头层序地层及地层格架

对贡嘎山南坡洪坝—湾坝地区的三叠纪地层，在剖面上进行详细的沉积学研究及其横向追踪后，确定了５个层序界面，划分出４个层序，建立了层序地层格架及岩石地层格架。本文主要叙述了各层序内沉积体系域的特征。

Sequence of the Cenozoic Mammalian Faunas of the Linxia Basin in Gansu, China

In the Linxia Basin on the northeast margin of the Tibetan Plateau, the Cenozoic strata are very thick and well exposed. Abundant mammalian fossils are discovered in the deposits from the Late Oligocene to the Early Pleistocene. The Dzungariotherium fauna comes from the sandstones of the Jiaozigou Formation, including many representative Late Oligocene taxa. The Platybelodon fauna comes from the sandstones of the Dongxiang Formation and the conglomerates of the Laogou Formation, and its fossils are typical Middle Miocene forms, such as Hemicyon, Amphicyon, Platybelodon, Choerolophodon, Anchitherium, and Hispanotherium. The Hipparion fauna comes from the red clay of the Liushu and Hewangjia Formations, and its fossils can be distinctly divided into four levels, including three Late Miocene levels and one Early Pliocene level. In the Linxia Basin, the Hipparion fauna has the richest mammalian fossils. The Equus fauna comes from the Wucheng Loess, and it is slightly older than that of the classical Early Pleistocene Nihewan Fauna. The mammalian faunas from the Linxia Basin provide the reliable evidence to divide the Cenozoic strata of this basin and correlate them with European mammalian sequence.

From Cycles to Sequences:Sequence Stratigraphy and Relative Sea Level Change for the Late Cambrian of the North China Platform

In the Late Cambrian, the North China Platform was a typical carbonate ramp platform. The Upper Cambrian of the northern part of the North China Platform is famous for the development of bioherm limestones and storm calcirudites and can be divided from bottom to top into the Gushan, Changshan and Fengshan formations. In this set of strata, the deep-ramp mudstone and marls and the shallow-ramp packstones and grainstones constitute many carbonate meter-scale cycles of subtidal type. More tidal-flat dolomites are developed in the Upper Cambrian of the southern margin of the North China platform, in which limestone and dolomite beds also constitute many carbonate meter-scale cycles of the peritidal type. These cycles are marked by a variety of litho-facies successions. There are regularly vertical stacking patterns of meter-scale cycles in long-term third-order sequences, which is the key to discerning such sequences. Third- order sequence is marked by a particular sedimentary-facies succession that is the result of the environment-changing process of deepening and shoaling, which is genetically related to third-order sea level changes. Furthermore, four third- order sequences can be grouped in the Upper Cambrian of the North China Platform. The main features of these four third -order sequences in the northern part of the platform can be summarized as follows: firstly, sequence-boundaries are characterized by drowning unconformities; secondly, the sedimentary-facies succession is generally constituted by one from deep-ramp facies to shallow-ramp facies; thirdly, a succession of “CS (?)+HST” (i.e., “condensed section and high- stand system”) forms these four third-order sequences. The chief features for the third-order sequences in the southern part of the North China Platform comprises: more dolomites are developed in the HSTs of third-order sequences and also developed more carbonate meter-scale cycles of peritidal types; the sedimentary-facies succession of the third-order sequences is marked by “shallow ramp-tidal flat”; the sequence boundaries are characterized by exposure punctuated surfaces. According to the changes for the third-order sequences from the north to the south, a regular sequence- stratigraphic framework can be established. From cycles to sequences, the study of sequence stratigraphy from litho-facies successions to sedimentary-facies successions exposes that as follows: meter-scale cycles that are used as the basic working unit actually are litho-facies successions formed by the mechanism of a punctuated aggradational cycle, and third -order sequences that are constituted by regularly vertical stacking patterns of meter-scale cycles are marked by sedimentary-facies successions. On the basis of the changing curve of water depth at each section, the curve of the relative third-order sea level changes in the late Cambrian of the North China Platform can be integrated qualitatively from changing curve of water depth. The correlation of Late Cambrian long-term sea level changes between North China and North America demonstrates that there are not only similarities but also differences, reflecting control of long-term sea level changes both by global eustacy and by regional factors.

Lacustrine Basin Slope Break — A New Domain of Strata and Lithological Trap Exploration

Based on the studies of the Songliao Basin characterized by Cretaceous down-warping, of the Jurassic compressional flexural Junggar basin and of the Bohai Bay Basin characterized by Paleogene rifting, the multiple-grades slope break has developed in lacustrine basins of different origins. Their genetic types can be divided into tectonic slope break, depositional slope break and erodent slope break. The dominant agent of the slope break is tectogenesis, and the scale of slope breaks relates with the size of tectogenesis. The results of the study show that control of mutual grades slope breaks on atectonic traps mainly represent: 1) Atectonic traps develop close to mutual grades slope breaks, with beads-shaped distribution along the slope breaks. 2) In the longitudinal direction, the development of atectonic traps is characterized by the inheritance. 3) Different slope breaks and their different geographical positions can lead to different development types of atectonic traps. 4) A slope break can form different kinds of atectonic traps because of its great lateral variation. 5) The existence of mutual-grade slope breaks leads to different responses of erosion and deposition at different geographical positions in the basin. The oil source bed, reservoir and cap rock combination of atectonic traps is fine. 6) The oil-bearing condition of atectonic traps controlled by slope breaks is very favorable.

Sequence stratigraphy, paleogeography, and coal accumulation regularity of major coal-accumulating periods in China

There are 9 major coal-accumulating periods during geological history in China,including the Early Carboniferous,Late Carboniferous-Early Permian,Middle Permian,Late Permian,Late Triassic,Early-Middle Jurassic,Early Cretaceous,Paleogene and Neogene.The coal formed in these periods were developed in different coal-accumulating areas(CAA)including the North China,South China,Northwest China,Northeast China,the Qinghai–Tibet area,and China offshore area.In this paper,we investigated depositional environments,sequence stratigraphy,lithofacies paleogeography and coal accumulation pattern of five major coal-accumulating periods including the Late Carboniferous to Middle Permian of the North China CAA,the Late Permian of the South China CAA,the Late Triassic of the South China CAA,the Early-Middle Jurassic of the North and Northwest China CAA,and the Early Cretaceous in the Northeast China CAA.According to distribution of the coal-bearing strata and the regional tectonic outlines,we have identified distribution range of the coal-forming basins,sedimentary facies types and coal-accumulating models.The sequence stratigraphic frameworks of the major coal-accumulating periods were established based on recognition of a variety of sequence boundaries.The distribution of thick coals and migration patterns of the coal-accumulating centers in the sequence stratigraphic framework were analyzed.The lithofacies paleogeography maps based on third-order sequences were reconstructed and the distribution of coal accumulation centers and coal-rich belts were predicted.

A New Species of Cathayornis from the Lower Cretaceous of Inner Mongolia,China and Its Stratigraphic Significance

An incomplete postcranial avian skeleton is described from the Lower Cretaceous Jingchuan Formation of Otog Banner of western Inner Mongolia and referred to a new species of Cathayornis, C. chabuensis sp. nov. This is the first report of a Cathayornis from outside Liaoning Province. The new discovery indicates that Cathayornis coexisted with Otogornis genghisi, and a more detailed comparison between these two enantiornithine genera shows that Otogornis represents a more primitive genus than Cathayornis. Our analyses further indicate that Cathayornis is an arboreal bird. The discovery of a Cathayornis from this region also confirms that the avian fossil-bearing Jingchuan Formation is comparable to the Jiufotang Formation of the upper Jehol Group in western Liaoning, and should be referred to the middle-late Early Cretaceous.