Oil and Gas Accumulation in the Foreland Basins,Central and Western China

Foreland basin represents one of the most important hydrocarbon habitats in central and western China. To distinguish these foreland basins regionally, and according to the need of petroleum exploration and favorable exploration areas, the foreland basins in central and western China can be divided into three structural types： superimposed, retrogressive and reformative foreland basin （or thrust belt）, each with distinctive petroleum system characteristics in their petroleum system components （such as the source rock, reservoir rock, caprock, time of oil and gas accumulation, the remolding of oil/gas reservoir after accumulation, and the favorable exploration area, etc.）. The superimposed type foreland basins, as exemplified by the Kuqa Depression of the Tarim Basin, characterized by two stages of early and late foreland basin development, typically contain at least two hydrocarbon source beds, one deposited in the early foreland development and another in the later fault-trough lake stage. Hydrocarbon accumulations in this type of foreland basin often occur in multiple stages of the basin development, though most of the highly productive pools were formed during the late stage of hydrocarbon migration and entrapment （Himalayan period）. This is in sharp contrast to the retrogressive foreland basins （only developing foreland basin during the Permian to Triassic） such as the western Sichuan Basin, where prolific hydrocarbon source rocks are associated with sediments deposited during the early stages of the foreland basin development. As a result, hydrocarbon accumulations in retrogressive foreland basins occur mainly in the early stage of basin evolution. The reformative foreland basins （only developing foreland basin during the Himalayan period） such as the northern Qaidam Basin, in contrast, contain organic-rich, lacustrine source rocks deposited only in fault-trough lake basins occurring prior to the reformative foreland development during the late Cenozoic, with hydrocarbon accumulations taking place relatively late （Himalayan period）. Therefore, the ultimate hydrocarbon potentials in the three types of foreland basins are largely determined by the extent of spatial and temporal matching among the thrust belts, hydrocarbon source kitchens, and regional and local caprocks.

Formation of overpressure system and its relationship with the distribution of large gas fields in typical foreland basins in central and western China

Based on the data of measured formation pressure, drilling fluid density of key exploration wells and calculated pressure by well logging, combined with the analysis of natural gas geological conditions, the characteristics and formation mechanisms of formation fluid overpressure systems in different foreland basins and the relationship between overpressure systems and large-scale gas accumulation are discussed.(1) The formation mechanisms of formation overpressure in different foreland basins are different. The formation mechanism of overpressure in the Kuqa foreland basin is mainly the overpressure sealing of plastic salt gypsum layer and hydrocarbon generation pressurization in deep–ultra-deep layers, that in the southern Junggar foreland basin is mainly hydrocarbon generation pressurization and under-compaction sealing, and that in the western Sichuan foreland basin is mainly hydrocarbon generation pressurization and paleo-fluid overpressure residual.(2) There are three common characteristics in foreland basins, i.e. superimposed development of multi-type overpressure and multi-layer overpressure, strong–extremely strong overpressure developed in a closed foreland thrust belt, and strong–extremely strong overpressure developed in a deep foreland uplift area.(3) There are four regional overpressure sealing and storage mechanisms, which play an important role in controlling large gas fields, such as the overpressure of plastic salt gypsum layer, the overpressure formed by hydrocarbon generation pressurization, the residual overpressure after Himalayan uplift and denudation, and the under-compaction overpressure.(4) Regional overpressure is an important guarantee for forming large gas fields, the sufficient gas source, large-scale reservoir and trap development in overpressure system are the basic conditions for forming large gas fields, and the overpressure system is conducive to forming deep to ultra-deep large gas fields.

Diagenesis of the Paleogene Sandstones in the DN2 Gas Field,Kuqa Foreland Basin and its Link to Tectonics

We investigated diagenesis of the sandstones from the DN2 Gas Field of the Kuqa Foreland Basin(KFB),in order to infer the timing of fluid migration and discuss the linkage between fluids and tectonics.The textures and chemical composition of authigenic minerals,fluid evidence from fluid inclusions and formation water measurements were all used to fulfill this aim.Eodiagenesis occurred with the participation of meteoric water and connate water.Mesodiagenesis is related to high salinity fluids,which were attributed as originating from the overlying Neogene Jidike Formation evaporite(principal minerals including halite,anhydrite,glauberite,carnallite and thenardite).The onset of high salinity fluid migration is inferred to occur during the late Miocene(12.4-9.2 Ma)through the use of homogenization temperatures measured in the present study and K-Ar dating of authigenetic illites from previous work.This period is consistent with the crucial phase(13-10 Ma)that witnessed the rapid uplift of the southern Tianshan Mts and the stage when calcite and anhydrite veins formed in the studied strata.We thus argue that diagenesis related to high salinity fluids occurred as a response to the Tianshan Mts'rapid uplift and related tectonic processes.The flow of high salinity fluids was probably driven by a density gradient and channeled and focused by fractures formed contemporaneously.

Formation of the Zengmu and Beikang Basins,and West Baram Line in the southwestern South China Sea margin

The Zengmu and Beikang basins,separated by the West Baram Line(WBL)in the southwestern South China Sea margin,display distinct geological and geophysical features.However,the nature of the basins and the WBL are debated.Here we explore this issue by conducting the stratigraphic and structural interpretation,faults and subsidence analysis,and lithospheric finite extension modelling using seismic data.Results show that the WBL is a trans-extensional fault zone comprising normal faults and flower structures mainly active in the Late Eocene to Early Miocene.The Zengmu Basin,to the southwest of the WBL,shows an overall synformal geometry,thick folded strata in the Late Eocene to Late Miocene(40.4-5.2 Ma),and pretty small normal faults at the basin edge,which imply that the Zengmu Basin is a foreland basin under the Luconia and Borneo collision in the Sarawak since the Eocene.Furthermore,the basin exhibits two stages of subsidence(fast in 40.4-30 Ma and slow in 30-0 Ma);but the amount of observed subsidence and heat flow are both greater than that predicted by crustal thinning.The Beikang Basin,to the NE of the WBL,consists of the syn-rift faulted sub-basins(45-16.4 Ma)and the post-rift less deformed sequences(16.4-0 Ma).The heat flow(~60 mW/m2)is also consistent with that predicted based on crustal thinning,inferring that it is a rifted basin.However,the basin shows three stages of subsidence(fast in 45-30 Ma,uplift in 30-16.4 Ma,and fast in 16.4-0 Ma).In the uplift stage,the strata were partly folded in the Late Oligocene and partly eroded in the Early Miocene,which is probably caused by the flexural bulging in response to the paleo-South China Sea subduction and the subsequent Dangerous Grounds and Borneo collision in the Sabah to the east of the WBL.

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.

From Flysch to Molasse—Sedimentary and Tectonic Evolution of Late Caledonian -Early Hercynian Foreland Basin in North Qilian Mountains

The Late Caledonian to Early Hercynian North Qilian orogenic belt in no rthwestern China is an elongate tectonic unit situated between the North China p late in the north and the Qaidam plate in the south. North Qilian started in the latest Proterozoic to Cambrian as a rift basin on the southern margin of North China, and evolved later to an archipelagic ocean and active continental margin during the Ordovician and a foreland basin from Silurian to the Early and Middle Devonian. The Early Silurian flysch and submarine alluvial fan, the Middle to L ate Silurian shallow marine to tidal flat deposits and the Early and Middle Devo nian terrestrial molasse are developed along the corridor Nanshan. The shallowin g upward succession from subabyssal flysch, shallow marine, tidal flat to terre strial molasse and its gradually narrowed regional distribution demonstrate that the foreland basin experienced the transition from flysch stage to molasse stag e during the Silurian and Devonian time.

Control of neotectonic movement on hydrocarbon accumulation in the Kuqa Foreland Basin,west China

Neotectonic movement refers to the tectonic movement that has happened since the Cenozoic, which is the latest movement. It has the most important influence on the basins in west China, especially on the hydrocarbon accumulation in the western foreland basins. We determined the time of neotectonic movement in the Kuqa Foreland Basin, which began from the Neogene, and analyzed the patterns of movement, which were continuous and fast subsidence in the vertical direction and intense lateral compression. The structure styles are that the faulting is weakened and the folding is strengthened gradually from north to south. We studied the control of neotectonic movement on the hydrocarbon accumulation process and model in the Kuqa Foreland Basin with basin simulation technique. The largest subsidence rate of the Kuqa Foreland Basin reached 1,200 m/Ma during the neotectonic movement, leading to rapid maturing of source rock within 5 Ma and a large quantity of hydrocarbon being generated and expelled. The thick neotectonic strata can form high quality reservoirs with the proved gas and oil reserves accounting for 5% and 27% of the total reserves, respectively. 86% of the structural traps were formed in the neotectonic movement period. The faults formed during the neotectonic movement serve as important migration pathways and they exist in the region where the hydrocarbon reservoirs are distributed. Abnormally high pressure caused by the intense lateral compression, thick neotectonic strata deposition and rapid hydrocarbon generation provide driving force for hydrocarbon migration. The accumulation elements match each other well over a short period, leading to many large gas fields formed later in the Kuqa Foreland Basin.

The Coupling Relationship between the Uplift of Longmen Shan and the Subsidence of Foreland Basin,Sichuan,China

Depending on the analysis of the coeval sedimentary geometry and subsidence mechanism in the Longmen Shan foreland basin, three models about the coupling relationship between Longmen Shan uplift and foreland basin subsidence since the Indosinian have been proposed：（1） crustal shortening and its related wide wedge-shaped foreland basin,（2） crustal isostatic rebound and its related tabular foreland basin, and（3） lower crustal flow and its related narrow wedge-shaped foreland basin. Based on the narrow wedge-shaped foreland basin developed since 4 Ma, it is believed that the narrow crustal shortening and tectonic load driven by lower crustal flow is a primary driver for the present Longmen Shan uplift and the Wenchuan（Ms 8.0） earthquake.

Evolution and Structural Style of Tianshan and Adjacent Basins， Northwestern China

The Tianshan orogenic belt has a W-shape, composed of the V-shape Southern Tianshan and Northern Tianshan with different orogenic models .The Southern Tianshan broke off from the Sinian, forming a passive continental margin and ocean, and closed during Silurian and Devoaian. It belongs to the Wilson cycle orogenic model. The net duration is about 400 My.The Northern Tianshan began back-arc spreading during Devonian, forming the Devonian-Carboniferous marginal sea, and dosed during Late Carboaiferous. It belongs to the non-Wilson cycle orogeulc model or back-arc orogenic model. The duration is about 100 My .Deformation of the foreland fold-thrust belt occurred in two stages: in the early stage, folds and thrusts were formed by wedge-thrusting and lateral compression, while in the later stage, folds, gravitational normal faults and reveal faults were formed by the uplift of the Tianshan range and by gravity-gliding.

Characteristics of Triassic Petroleum Systems in the Longmenshan Foreland Basin,Sichuan Province,China

The Triassic in the Longmengshan foreland basin is rich in oil and gas resources. Its reservoirs feature low-porosity, low-permeability, small pore throat, high water saturation, and strong heterogeneity. The existence of abnormally high pressure and various reservoir-cap combinations developed at different times provide favorable conditions for trapping oil and gas. Taking the theory of petroleum systems as a guide, and beginning with research on tectonics, sedimentary history, distribution and evolution of source rocks, reservoir evolution, hydraulic force distribution, and hydrocarbon migration, analysis and study of static factors like source rocks, reservoirs and cap rocks, and dynamic factors such as hydrocarbon generation, migration, and accumulation revealed the characteristics of the Upper Triassic petroleum system in western Sichuan province. The deepbasin gas in the central hydrocarbon kitchen of the Upper Triassic, structural-lithological combination traps on the surrounding slopes, and the structural traps of the Indo-Chinese-Yangshan paleohighs, are potential plays. The relatively well- developed fault zones in the southern segment of the Longmengshan foothill belt are favorable Jurassic gas plays. Pengshan-Xinjin, Qiongxi, and Dayi are recent exploration targets for Jurassic oil/gas reservoirs.

Interpreting the Coseismic Uplift and Subsidence of the Longmen Shan Foreland Basin System during the Wenchuan Earthquake by a Elastic Flexural Model

The coseismic surface uplift of the Longmen Shan（LMS） created an instantaneous topographic load over the western margin of the Sichuan Basin, where surface subsidence, decreasing eastward, has been measured using several methods, such as GPS, SAR and levelling. Using an elastic flexural model, we aim to interpret the coseismic surface uplift and subsidence, and constrain the effective lithospheric elastic thickness（Te） of the Sichuan Basin. Using different effective elastic thickness values for the Sichuan Basin, a series of subsidence curves were computed by the elastic flexure model equation for a broken elastic plate. The curves, produced by models using an effective elastic thickness of 30–40 km, provided the best fit to the general pattern of observed coseismic subsidence of the Sichuan Basin. However, the calculated subsidence（-40–70 cm） at the front of the LMS is evidently lower than the observed values（-100 cm）, suggesting that the effective elastic thickness therein should be lower. These results indicate that the lithospheric strength may decrease westward from the Sichuan Basin to the LMS.

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.

Structural Styles of the Longmenshan Thrust Belt and Evolution of the Foreland Basin in Western Sichuan Province, China

The Longmenshan thrust system consists of two major groups of structural styles according to the depth of their involvement: basement thrusts-compressional fault blocks; fold-thrust system in the cover. In cross-section, the Longmenshan structural belt is divided into 5 zones. The propagation of the Longmenshan thrust system is piggy-back due to pushing at the early stage and overstep due to gravity sliding at the late stage. Balanced cross-sections and palinspastic reconstruction reveal that the total sliding displacement of the thrust system amounts to 120 km. The tectonic evolution of the Tethys domain in western Sichuan has experienced 5 stages: continental break-up; ocean-continent subduction ; continent-arc collision; orogenic thrusting; uplift of western Sichuan.

Tectonic Evolution of the Junggar Foreland Basin in the Late Carboniferous-Permian

A comprehensive study has been carried out to subdivide and correlate the Upper Carboniferous and Permian sedimentary successions in the Junggar basin based on outcrops and drilling and geophysical data. The study results, combined with geological analyses of the basin's periphery and the basement, as well as studies of the sedimentary rocks within the basin, the unconformities, tectonic geometry, kinematics and geodynamics, lead to the conclusion that the Junggar basin was characterized by the development of foreland basin systems during the Late Carboniferous and Permian. During that period, three foreland basin systems were developed: (1) the northwest foreland basin system, which trended nearly north-south from Mahu to the Chepaizi Palaeo-mountain during its early stage of development and thus it was also referred to as the west foreland basin system; (2) the Karamaili foreland basin system in the east and (3) the Northern Tianshan foreland basin system in the south. These systems are different in size, development stage and time of formation. The first two are developed earlier than the third, but they are smaller in size. All the structures in the Junggar basin have resulted from the integration and superposition of structural elements in the above three systems. In general, the development of the Junggar basin can be divided into four stages. Stage I was marked by the creation and evolution of the marginal western foreland and the peripheral Karamaili foreland basin systems during the Late Carboniferous-early Early Permian (C3P1ja). Stage II was characterized by the development of complicated foreland basin systems during the middle-late Early Permian (P1jb-P1f) when the three foreland basin systems took their shapes. Stage III was the integration stage of peripheral foreland basin systems during the Middle Permian (P2) in which steady and slow tectonic subsidence prevailed. Stage IV coincided with the shrinking of foreland basin development during the Late Permian (P3).

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.

Application of the Material Balance Method in Paleoelevation Recovery: A Case Study of the Longmen Mountains Foreland Basin on the Eastern Margin of the Tibetan Plateau

We applied the material balance principle of the denudation volume and sedimentary flux to study the denudation-accumulation system between the Longmen Mountains （Mts.） and the foreland basin. The amount of sediment in each sedimentation stage of the basin was estimated to obtain the denudation volume, erosion thickness and deposit thickness since the Late Triassic Epoch, to enable us to recover the paleoelevation of the provenance and the sedimentary area. The results show the following： （1） Since the Late Triassic Epoch, the elevation of the surface of the Longmen Mts. has uplifted from 0 m to 2751 m, and the crust of the Longmen Mts. has uplifted by 9.8 km. Approximately 72% of the materials introduced have been denuded from the mountains. （2） It is difficult to recover the paleoelevation of each stage of the Longmen Mts. foreland basin quantitatively by the present-day techniques and data. （3） The formation of the Longmen Mts. foreland basin consisted of three stages of thrust belt tectonic load and three stages of thrust belt erosional unload. During tectonic loading stages （Late Triassic Epoch, Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous, Late Cretaceous-Miocene）, the average elevation of Longmen Mts. was lower （approximately 700-1700 m）. During erosional unloading stages （Early and Middle Jurassic, Middle Cretaceous and Jiaguan, Late Cenozoic）, the average elevation of Longmen Mts. was high at approximately 2000-2800m.

Relation between structural evolution of the Longmenshan orogenic zone and sedimentation of its foreland basin

In order to determine the area for oil and gas exploration in China’s north Sichuan basin,we have divided the time during which the Longmenshan foreland basin was formed into five periods,based on the sedimentary response relationship of the foreland basin to structural evolution: 1) a late Triassic Noric period;2) an early-Middle Jurassic period;3) a late Jurassic to early Cretaceous period;4) a late Cretaceous to Paleogene-Neogene period and 5) the Quaternary period. As well,we analyzed the sedimentary environment and lithologic features of every basin-forming period. The results show that there are several favorable source-reservoir-cap assemblages in our study area,making it a major region for future oil and gas exploration in China’s northern Sichuan basin.

Sedimentary Characteristics and Reservoir Prediction of Paleogene in the East Part of Kuqa Foreland Basin

Most of the Mesozoic and Cenozoic large-scale hydrocarbon-bearing basins in western China were formed in a similar foreland setting. Hydrocarbon exploration of the Kuqa foreland basin requires research into the sedimentary characteristics and filling evolution of the depositional sequences and their response to the basin process. Based on an analysis of outcrops, well logs and high resolution seismic data, the sedimentary system types and distribution characteristics of the Paleogene in the east part of Kuqa foreland basin were systematically studied. The results show that： （ 1 ） Three types of sedimentary systems are developed in the area： an oxidative salty wide shallow lacustrine system, a fan delta system and an evaporitic bordersea system. （2） The configuration and evolution of the depositional systems of the Paleogene in the Kuqa foreland basin were predominantly determined by foreland tectonism. Vertically, the Paleogene sedimentary sequence can be divided into three parts： the lower, middle and upper depositional system tracts. The lower and upper tracts commonly consist of progradational or aggradational sequences, while the middle part is usually comprised of a set of aggradational to transgressive third-order sequences. Laterally, the sedimentary systems in the east part of the Kuqa foreland basin spread from east to west as a whole, and the sedimentary facies obviously vary from south to north. The sand bodies of the delta front facies are excellent gas reservoirs, characterized by rather thick, extensive and continuous distribution, high porosity and permeability, and just a few barrier beds.

Episodic Orogeny Deduced from Coeval Sedimentary Sequences in the Foreland Basin and Its Implication for Uplift Process of Longmen Mountain,China

Longmen Mountain located at the boundary between the Sichuan Basin and Tibetan Plateau,representing the steepest gradient of any edges of the plateau.Three endmember models of uplift process and mechanism have been proposed,including crustal thickening,crustal flow,and crustal isostatic rebound.Here we use coeval sedimentary sequences in the foreland basin to restraint uplift process and mechanism in the Longmen Mountain.The more than 10,000 m thick Late TriassicQuaternary strata filled in this foreland basin and can be divided into six megasequences that are distinguished as two distinct types.The first type is the wedge-shaped megasequences which are sedimentary response of strong active thrust loading events,characterized by a high rate of subsidence and sediment accumulation,coarsening-upward succession and a dual-sourced sediment supply.This type includes Late Triassic,Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous and Late Cretaceous to Paleogene megasequences.The second type is the tabular megasequences,characterized by the low rate of subsidence and sediment accumulation,finingupward succession,and a single-sourced sediment supply,which is sedimentary response of isostatic rebound and erosion unloading.This type includes the Early to Middle Jurassic,Middle Cretaceous and Neogene to Quaternary megasequences.Basing on sedimentary,active tectonic,geomorphic evidence,we infer that the direction has been reversed from SSWdirected sinistral strike-slip to NNE-directed dextral strike-slip during 40-3.6 Ma,and since 3.6 Ma,the Longmen Mountain thrust belt belong to times of isostatic rebound and erosional unloading with NNEdirected dextral strike-slip.This suggests that crustal isostatic rebound is a primary driver for uplift and topography of the present Longmen Mountain.The Wenchuan(Ms8.0) earthquake,which ruptured a large thrust fault with NNE-directed dextral strikeslip along the range front,is an active manifestation of this crustal isostatic rebound process with dextral strike-slipping and shortening.This process may be the cause for the Wenchuan Earthquake and the apparent paradox of high relief,little shortening,the relative dearth of historical seismicity in the region.

Comparison of Kuqa foreland basin with Persian Gulf Basin in salt tectonics

Compared Kuqa foreland basin with Persian Gulf Basin in development of salt layers, salt tectonics, and the relation between salt tectonics and hydrocarbon, it is concluded that the salt diapirs are relative to hydrocarbon. Searching salt diapirs and related traps in Kuqa foreland basin is important. The forming mechanism of salt tectonic in Kuqa foreland basin is different from that of Hormuz Series, but similar to that of Lower Fars Series/Gachsaran Formation. Inspired by the role of salt tectonics of Lower Fars Series/Gaehsaran Formation in hydrocarbon accumulation, the authors considered that the exploration below salt layer should be enforced, and the traps below salt layer in the southern part of the Kuqa foreland basin would be found where salt layer is thicker. On the contrary, the traps should be found both above and below the salt layer in front of the northern mountain where salt layer is thin. The Triassic and Jurassic source rocks are rich in this area with great exploration prospective.