Evaluation of the oil and gas preservation conditions, source rocks, and hydrocarbongenerating potential of the Qiangtang Basin: New evidence from the scientific drilling project

The Qiangtang Basin of the Tibetan Plateau,located in the eastern Tethys tectonic domain,is the largest new marine petroliferous region for exploration in China.The scientific drilling project consisting primarily of well QK-1 and its supporting shallow boreholes for geological surveys(also referred to as the Project)completed in recent years contributes to a series of new discoveries and insights into the oil and gas preservation conditions and source rock evaluation of the Qiangtang Basin.These findings differ from previous views that the Qiangtang Basin has poor oil and gas preservation conditions and lacks high-quality source rocks.As revealed by well QK-1 and its supporting shallow boreholes in the Project,the Qiangtang Basin hosts two sets of high-quality regional seals,namely an anhydrite layer in the Quemo Co Formation and the gypsum-bearing mudstones in the Xiali Formation.Moreover,the Qiangtang Basin has favorable oil and gas preservation conditions,as verified by the comprehensive study of the sealing capacity of seals,basin structure,tectonic uplift,magmatic activity,and groundwater motion.Furthermore,the shallow boreholes have also revealed that the Qiangtang Basin has high-quality hydrocarbon source rocks in the Upper Triassic Bagong Formation,which are thick and widely distributed according to the geological and geophysical data.In addition,the petroleum geological conditions,such as the type,abundance,and thermal evolution of organic matter,indicate that the Qiangtang Basin has great hydrocarbon-generating potential.

Characteristics and discovery significance of the Upper Triassic–Lower Jurassic marine shale oil in Qiangtang Basin,China

Mesozoic marine shale oil was found in the Qiangtang Basin by a large number of hydrocarbon geological surveys and shallow drilling sampling.Based on systematic observation and experimental analysis of outcrop and core samples,the deposition and development conditions and characteristics of marine shale are revealed,the geochemical and reservoir characteristics of marine shale are evaluated,and the layers of marine shale oil in the Mesozoic are determined.The following geological understandings are obtained.First,there are two sets of marine organic-rich shales,the Lower Jurassic Quse Formation and the Upper Triassic Bagong Formation,in the Qiangtang Basin.They are mainly composed of laminated shale with massive mudstone.The laminated organic-rich shale of the Quse Formation is located in the lower part of the stratum,with a thickness of 50–75 m,and mainly distributed in southern Qiangtang Basin and the central-west of northern Qiangtang Basin.The laminated organic-rich shale of the Bagong Formation is located in the middle of the stratum,with a thickness of 250–350 m,and distributed in both northern and southern Qiangtang Basin.Second,the two sets of laminated organic-rich shales develop foliation,and various types of micropores and microfractures.The average content of brittle minerals is 70%,implying a high fracturability.The average porosity is 5.89%,indicating good reservoir physical properties to the level of moderate–good shale oil reservoirs.Third,the organic-rich shale of the Quse Formation contains organic matters of types II1 and II2,with the average TOC of 8.34%,the average content of chloroform bitumen'A'of 0.66%,the average residual hydrocarbon generation potential(S1+S2)of 29.93 mg/g,and the Ro value of 0.9%–1.3%,meeting the standard of high-quality source rock.The organic-rich shale of the Bagong Formation contains mixed organic matters,with the TOC of 0.65%–3.10%and the Ro value of 1.17%–1.59%,meeting the standard of moderate source rock.Fourth,four shallow wells(depth of 50–250 m)with oil shows have been found in the organic shales at 50–90 m in the lower part of the Bagong Formation and 30–75 m in the middle part of the Quse Formation.The crude oil contains a high content of saturated hydrocarbon.Analysis and testing of outcrop and shallow well samples confirm the presence of marine shale oil in the Bagong Formation and the Quse Formation.Good shale oil intervals in the Bagong Formation are observed in layers 18–20 in the lower part of the section,where the shales with(S0+S1)higher than 1 mg/g are 206.7 m thick,with the maximum and average(S0+S1)of 1.92 mg/g and 1.81 mg/g,respectively.Good shale oil intervals in the Quse Formation are found in layers 4–8 in the lower part of the section,where the shales with(S0+S1)higher than 1 mg/g are 58.8 m thick,with the maximum and average(S0+S1)of 6.46 mg/g and 2.23 mg/g,respectively.

Apatite Fission Track Evidence of Uplift Cooling in the Qiangtang Basin and Constraints on the Tibetan Plateau Uplift

The Qiangtang basin is located in the central Tibetan Plateau. This basin has an important structural position, and further study of its tectonic and thermal histories has great significance for understanding the evolution of the Tibetan Plateau and the hydrocarbon potential of marine carbonates in the basin. This study focuses on low temperature thermochronology and in particular conducted apatite fission track analysis. Under constraints provided by the geological background, the thermal history in different tectonic units is characterized by the degree of annealing of samples, and the timing of major （uplift-erosion related） cooling episodes is inferred. The cooling history in the Qiangtang basin can be divided into two distinct episodes. The first stage is mainly from the late Early Cretaceous to the Late Cretaceous （69.8 Ma to 108.7 Ma）, while the second is mainly from the Middle- Late Eocene to the late Miocene （10.3 Ma to 44.4 Ma）. The first cooling episode records the uplift of strata in the central Qiangtang basin caused by continued convergent extrusion after the Bangong- Nujiang ocean closed. The second episode can be further divided into three periods, which are respectively 10.3 Ma, 22.6-26.1 Ma and 30.8-44.4 Ma. The late Oligocene-early Miocene （22.6-26.1 Ma） is the main cooling period. The distribution and times of the earlier uplift-related cooling show that the effect of extrusion after the collision between Eurasian plate and India plate obviously influenced the Qiangtang basin at 44.4 Ma. The Qiangtang basin underwent compression and started to be uplifted from the middle-late Eocene to the early Oligocene （45.0-30.8 Ma）. Subsequently, a large-scale and intensive uplift process occurred during the late Oligocene to early Miocene （26.1-22.6 Ma） and the basin continued to undergo compression and uplift up to the late Miocene （10.3 Ma）. Thus, uplift-erosion in the Qiangtang basin was intensive from 44.5 Ma to about 10 Ma. The timing of cooling in the second episode shows that the uplift of the Qiangtang basin was caused by the strong compression after the collision of the Indian plate and Eurasian plate. On the whole, the new apatite fission-track data from the Qiangtang basin show that the Tibetan Plateau started to extrude and uplift during 45-30.8 Ma. The main period of uplift and formation of the Tibetan Plateau took place about 22.6-26.1 Ma, and uplift and extrusion continued until the late Miocene （10.3 Ma）.

The Cretaceous tectonic event in the Qiangtang Basin and its implications for hydrocarbon accumulation

The tectonic event during Cretaceous and its relationship with hydrocarbon accumulation in the Qiangtang Basin is discussed based on zircon U-Pb dating and the study of deformation, thermochronology and hydrocarbon formation. LA-ICPMS zircon U-Pb dating indicates that the tectonic event took place during the Early-Late Cretaceous （125-75Ma）. The event not only established the framework and the styles of structural traps in the basin, but also led to the cessation of the first hydrocarbon formation and the destruction of previous oil pools. The light crude oil in the basin was formed during the second hydrocarbon formation stage in the Cenozoic, and ancient structural traps formed during the Cretaceous event are promising targets for oil and gas exploration.

Sedimentary Conditions of Evaporites in the Late Jurassic Xiali Formation,Qiangtang Basin：Evidence from Geochemistry Records

The Qiangtang Basin（QB）, located in the central Tibetan Plateau, is a Jurassic marine basin and one of the most important prospective salt resource belts in China. In recent decades, many outcrops of gypsiferous bed have been found in the Jurassic marine strata in the basin. Salt springs with abnormally high sodium（Na-＋） contents had been identified in the Late Jurassic Xiali Formation（Fm.） in the basin in the last years. However, to date, no potash or halite deposits have been identified in the QB. Gypsum outcrops and salt springs are very important signs in the investigation of halite and potash deposits. Therefore, the Xiali Fm. is a potentially valuable layer to evaluate for the possible presence of halite and potash deposits in the basin. However, few studies have explored the formation conditions of evaporites in the unit. Here, we present detailed geochemical records from the Yanshiping section related to the study of the formation conditions of evaporites in the Xiali Fm. of the QB. Climate proxies based on the obviously increased anion concentrations of SO4（2-） and Cl-- and the significant correlation coefficients of Ca2＋-SO42-（R = 0.985） and Na-＋-Cl--（R = 0.8974） reveal that the upper member of the Xiali Fm.（the upper Xiali Fm.） formed under an arid climate and evolved into the sulfate phase or early chloride phase. Provenance proxies based on the obviously increased K-＋ and Na-＋ ion concentrations and the significant correlation coefficient of Na-＋-Cl--（R = 0.8974） suggest that the upper Xiali Fm. featured optimal provenance conditions for the possible formation of halite deposits. The regression and the semi-closed tidal flat environment in the upper Xiali Fm. were favorable for the formation of potash and halite deposits. The low Mg-（2＋） /Ca-（2＋） values（mean value = 1.82） and significant Na-＋-Cl-- correlation coefficient（R = 0.8974） also suggest that the upper Xiali Fm. is the layer most likely to contain potential halite deposits. In addition, the macroscopic correlations of tectonism, provenance, paleoclimate, saliferous strata and sedimentary environment between the QB and the adjoining Amu Darya Basin in Central Asia reveal that the two basins shared similar geologic settings that were favorable for the formation of evaporites during the Late Jurassic. Therefore, the upper Xiali Fm. is a valuable layer to explore for halite deposit and may be potentially valuable in the future exploration for potash deposits in the QB.

Conditions of Petroleum Geology of the Qiangtang Basin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau located in the Tethyan tectonic domain is the best developed region of Mesozoic and Cenozoic marine sediments in China. The Qiangtang basin is the biggest and relatively stable area of the plateau. Triassic and Jurassic hydrocarbon source rocks are extensively distributed in the basin. There exist good dolomite and organic reef reservoirs and mudstone and evaporite cap rocks, as well as well-developed structural traps in the basin; in addition destroyed petroleum traps have been discovered. Therefore, the conditions of petroleum geology in the Qiangtang basin are excellent

Geological Conditions and Prospect Forecast of Shale Gas Formation in Qiangtang Basin, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

The presence of shale gas has been confirmed in almost every marine shale distribution area in North America.Formation conditions of shale gas in China are the most favorable for marine,organic-rich shale as well.But there has been little research focusing on shale gas in Qiangtang Basin,Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,where a lot of Mesozoic marine shale formations developed.Based on the survey results of petroleum geology and comprehensive test analysis data for Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,for the first time,this paper discusses characteristics of sedimentary development,thickness distribution,geochemistry,reservoir and burial depth of organic-rich shale,and geological conditions for shale gas formation in Qiangtang Basin.There are four sets of marine shale strata in Qiangtang Basin including Upper Triassic Xiaochaka Formation （T3x）,Middle Jurassic Buqu Formation （J2b）,Xiali Formation （J2x） and Upper Jurassic Suowa Formation （J3s）,the sedimentary types of which are mainly bathyal-basin facies,open platform-platform margin slope facies,lagoon and tidal-fiat facies,as well as delta facies.By comparing it with the indicators of gas shale in the main U.S.basins,it was found that the four marine shale formations in Qiangtang Basin constitute a multi-layer distribution of organic-rich shale,featuring a high degree of thickness and low abundance of organic matter,high thermal evolution maturity,many kinds of brittle minerals,an equivalent content of quartz and clay minerals,a high content of feldspar and low porosity,which provide basic conditions for an accumulation of shale gas resources.Xiaochaka Formation shale is widely distributed,with big thickness and the best gas generating indicators.It is the main gas source layer.Xiali Formation shale is of intermediate thickness and coverage area,with relatively good gas generating indicators and moderate gas formation potential.Buqu Formation shale and Suowa Formation shale are of relatively large thickness,and covering a small area,with poor gas generating indicators,and limited gas formation potential.The shale gas geological resources and technically recoverable resources were estimated by using geologic analogy method,and the prospective areas and potentially favorable areas for Mesozoic marine shale gas in Qiangtang Basin are forecast and analyzed.It is relatively favorable in a tectonic setting and indication of oil and gas,shale maturity,sedimentary thickness and gypsum-salt beds,and in terms of mineral association for shale gas accumulation.But the challenge lies in overcoming the harsh natural conditions which contributes to great difficulties in ground engineering and exploration,and high exploration costs.

Paleoclimate evolution and aridification mechanism of the eastern Tethys during the Callovian–Oxfordian: evidence from geochemical records of the Qiangtang Basin, Tibetan Plateau

Global climate during the Jurassic has been commonly described as a uniform greenhouse climate for a long time.However,the climate scenario of a cool episode during the Callovian-Oxfordian transition following by a warming trend during the Oxfordian(163.53 to157.4 Ma)is documented in many localities of the western Tethys.It is still unclear if a correlatable climate scenario also occurred in the eastern Tethys during the same time interval.In this study,a detailed geochemical analysis on the 1060 m thick successions(the Xiali and Suowa formations)from the Yanshiping section of the Qiangtang Basin,located in the eastern Tethys margin during the Callovian-Oxfordian periods,was performed.To reveal the climate evolution of the basin,carbonate content and soluble salt concentrations(SO_(4)^(2-),Cl^(-))were chosen as climatic indices.The results show that the overall climate patterns during the deposition of the Xiali and Suowa formations can be divided into three stages:relatively humid(164.0 to 160.9 Ma),dry(160.9 to159.6 Ma),semi-dry(159.6 to 156.8 Ma).A similar warming climate scenario also occurred in eastern Tethys during the Callovian-Oxfordian transition(160.9 to159.6 Ma).Besides,we clarify that the Jurassic True polar wander(TPW),the motion of the lithosphere and mantle with respect to Earth’s spin axis,inducing climatic shifts were responsible for the aridification of the Qiangtang Basin during the Callovian-Oxfordian transition with a review of the paleolatitude of the Xiali formation(19.7+2.8/-2.6°N)and the Suowa formation(20.7+4.1/-3.7°N).It is because the TPW rotations shifted the East Asia blocks(the North and South China,Qiangtang,and Qaidam blocks)from the humid zone to the tropical/subtropical arid zone and triggered the remarkable aridification during the Middle-Late Jurassic(ca.165-155 Ma).

The Sedimentary Evolution During Late Triassic-Jurassic Period and the Hydrocarbon Exploration Direction in the Eastern Part of the Qiangtang Basin, Tibet

Based on the field outcrops surveyed,combined with recent published the regional tectonic evolution and geochronology data,we analyzed the lithologies and rock associations of strata,identified the sedimentary facies types,and discussed the distribution sedimentary facies and the hydrocarbon accumulation in the eastern Qiangtang basin during the Late Triassic–Jurassic.Marked by regional unconformities,there are two tectono-stratigraphic units(from the Carnian to the Norian and from the Rhaetian to the Kimmeridgian,respectively)in the eastern part of Qiangtang basin.We systematically described the distribution range,thickness variation and lithological characteristics of different formations in the tectonostratigraphic units.The Late Triassic-Jurassic is dominated by marine facies and marine-continental transitional facies.The marine-continental transitional facies include deltaic and tidallagoon facies.Marine facies including gentle carbonate slope,evaporative platform,restricted platform,littoral,neritic,bathyal and abysmal facies.The Carnian stage is dominated by littoral–neritic–bathyal–abysmal facies in the north Qiangtang depression otherwise the littoral–neritic facies in the south Qiangtang depression.The early Norian stage is dominated by carbonate gentle slope-mixed continental shelf facies.The late Norian,Bajocian,Callovian and Kimmeridgian stage are dominated by tidal flat-delta facies in the north Qiangtang depression and littoral-neritic facies in the south Qiangtang depression.The Bathonian and Oxfordian stage are dominated by evaporative platform-restricted platform-mixed continental shelf facies.The sedimentary facies formed zones from north to south and extended in an E–W direction.The Eastern Lower Uplift(ELU)played an important role in the division zones of sedimentary facies from north to south.During the Bathonian and Oxfordian,the ELU developed below the sea level and controlled the distribution of restricted platform,evaporative platform and platform margin.We analyzed 20 source rock samples from the upper Triassic-Jurassic.The total organic carbon(TOC)value from Qoimaco,Buqu and Adula Formations.of late TriassicJurassic in the eastern Qiangtang basin are ranges from 0.17~0.33%(average 0.28%),0.05~0.25%(average 0.15%)and 10.32~28.78%(average 19.33%),respectively.Obviously,the Adula Fm.developed good source rocks.The values of Tmax and S1+S2 in the Adula formation are 459-461℃(average 460℃)and 6.75-28.55 mg/g(average 18.18 mg/g),indicating that the Adula source rock has reached high-over-maturity stage.The bathyal,gentle slop and platform facie belts of the Upper Triassic can configurate the good hydrocarbon prospects in the northeastern area of the Qiangtang basin.

Structural Characteristics of the Basement beneath Qiangtang Basin in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau: Results of Interaction Interpretation from Seismic Reflection/Refraction Data

The studies on configuration, character/property of the basement of Qiangtang basin is helpful for evaluating petroleum and nature gas resources as well as understanding the basin evolvement. Recently a moderate to high-grade metamorphic gneiss rock was found underlying beneath very low metamorphic Ordovician strata in Mayer Kangri to the north of the central uplift. That fact actually proved existence of the crystalline basement just the distribution and structures of pre-Paleozoic crystalline basement still remain puzzle. In recent years a number of active sources deep seismic profiling, to aim at lithospheric structure of northern Tibet and petroleum resources of the Qiangtang basin, had been conducted that make it possible to image the structure of the basement of the Qiangtang. Near vertical reflection profiles, included those acquired previously and those during 2004 to 2008, have been utilized in this study. By through the interaction process and interpretation between the reflection profiles and the wide-angle profile, a model with the detailed structure and velocity distribution from surface to the depth of 20 km of Qiangtang basin has been imaged.Based on the results and discussions of this study, the preliminary conclusions are as follows： （1） The velocity structure section （~20 kin） that is interactively constrained by the refraction and reflection seismic data reveals that the sedimentary stratum gently lie until 10 km in the south Qiangtang basin. （2） The basement consists of fold basement （the upper） and crystalline basement （the lower）.The fold basement buried at the average depth of 6 km with a velocity of 5.2-5.8 km/s. The shallowest appear at range of the central uplift. The crystalline basement is underlying beneath the fold basement at the average depth of 10 km with a velocity of 5.9-6.0 km/s except near Bangong-Nujiang suture. （3） The high-velocity body at the depth range of 3-6 km of the central uplift is considered as a fragment of the crystalline basement that perhaps was raised by Thermal or deformation. （4） The lower-consolidated fold basement show more affinity of Yangtze block but the crystalline basement seems more approximate to Lhasa terrene in geophysical nature. We have attempted to improve the resolution and reliability by interaction of the active seismic data and prove it effective to image complex basement structure. It will be a potential to process the piggy-back acquisition data and has wide prospects.

An Investigation of Deep Electrical Structure of Qiangtang Basin,Xizang(Tibet),China

In order to study the deep geoelectrical structure and the regional geological structure and detect potential oil and gas areas in Qiangtang basin in northern Xizang (Tibet ), 222 MT soundings were conducted along three N - S MT profiles across the basin .The MT results indicate that the south and north parts of the Qiangtang basin have a good contrast in the deep electri cal structure . In the south Qiangtang , there are generally two high conductivity layers in the crust . The first is at a depth of about 10 - 25 km and possesses a resistivity of about 10 - 80 Ωm .The second ,the high conductivity layer in the lower crust ,is at a depth of about 40 - 70 km with 3 - 50 Ωm .In the north Qiangtang .there is generally one high conductivity layer .It is at a depth of about 10 - 30 km and the resistivity is about 1-60 Ωm . The thickness of the second high conductivity layer in both the south Qiangtang and the Bangong-Nujiang suture is much greater than that of the first .The thickness of the lithosphere is about 110-120 km for the Bangong-Nujiang suture ,115 km for the south Qiangtang and 100-130 km for the north Qiangtang . On the difference of the deep electrical structures of the crust between the south and the north Qiangtang , we believe that it is related to the eastward flow of the crustal substance .

The Records of the Tectonic Evolution From the Volcanics in Qiangtang Basin,Tibet

The volcanism in Qiangtang Basin is very frequent due to the divergence and subduction of the various plates.The study indicates that these volcanics are formed in different tectonic settings:1)Hercynian volcanics are mainly basalts and are formed in the intraplate and intercontinental rift.2)Indosinian volcanics markedly vary in the distribution and composition and reflect transitional MORB and island arc environments respectively.3)Yanshanian volcanics consist predominantly of basalts,andesites,dacites and rhyolites and are characterized by calc-alkaline volcanic suite, indicating island arc setting.4)Himalayan volcanics are complicated and associated with intraplate orogency.The volcanism provides important tectonic information for recognizing the evolution of Qiangtang Basin.

Typical Soft–Sediment Deformation Structures Induced by Freeze/Thaw Cycles: A Case Study of Quaternary Alluvial Deposits in the Northern Qiangtang Basin, Tibetan Plateau

With the objective of establishing a distinction between deformation structures caused by freeze/thaw cycles and those resulting from seismic activity, we studied three well–exposed alluvial deposits in a section at Dogai Coring, northern Qiangtang Basin, Tibetan Plateau. Deformation is present in the form of plastic structures(diapirs, folds and clastic dykes), brittle structures(micro–faults) and cryogenic wedges. These soft–sediment deformation features(except the micro–faults) are mainly characterized by meter–scale, non–interlayered, low–speed and low–pressure displacements within soft sediments, most commonly in the form of plastic deformation. Taking into account the geographic setting, lithology and deformation features, we interpret these soft–sediment deformation features as the products of freeze/thaw cycles, rather than of earthquake–induced shock waves, thus reflecting regional temperature changes and fluctuations of hydrothermal conditions in the uppermost sediments. The micro–faults(close to linear hot springs) are ascribed to regional fault activity;however, we were unable to identify the nature of the micro–faults, perhaps due to disturbance by subsequent freeze/thaw cycles. This study may serve as a guide to recognizing the differences between deformation structures attributed to freeze/thaw cycles and seismic processes.

THE DECOLLEMENT IN THE QIANGTANG BASIN, TIBET

Qiangtang Basin in northern part of Tibet is significant on geological research, and it is also a prospect area for petroleum and gas exploration. Qiangtang Basin mainly consists of Triassic\|Jurassic carbonate strata, extending E—W. The basement of the Qiangtang Basin composed of Lower\|Middle Proterozoic exposed in the central part, and is called Central Upright Zone.The decollement and thrust structure occurred both in Qiangtang Basin and the Central Upright Zone, which have resulted in important influence for petroleum and gas exploration.(1) Tectonic style:① The suprastructure of Qiangtang Basin is dominated by parallel folds (Ramsay’s classification Ib\|Ic) and brittle faults.② Most of the folds are open folds with interlimb angles 80～120°and lack of axial cleavage.③ The 3\|D shape of fold is cylindrical, without or little change on area and volume.④ The folds association is ejective folds (i.e. with the characteristics of the Jura\|type fold).⑤ The plastic bed flowing with the higher zone of the folds formed diapir structure, which is the important evidence indicating decol lement.

PETROLEUM GEOLOGICAL CONDITIONS IN QIANGTANG BASIN

Qiangtang Basin is located in the middle of Tethys, which is the famous oil and gas accumulation belt of the world. one of the few exploration areas in our continental petroleum industry at present. Previous studies show that this basin is a “composite basin" which has experienced, from Late Paleozoic to Cenozoic, a long time geological evolution. The major of this basin formed at Late Permian to Early Cretaceous, and its deformation generated after Late Cretaceous. The present part is just the remnants of the proto basin.Qiangtang Basin, about 180000km\+2, is located in the west part of Qiangtang\|Qamdo Terrane with Triassic Jurassic system as the main exploration systems.The tectonic framework of the basin displays the characteristic of one central uplift between the northern and the southern depressions, among of which the maximum burial depth of the substratums is 7km deep at Tubocuo in the northern depression. The deformation of the basin developed different kinds of structural styles, including compressive, wrench and extensive as well as inversive structures.The thickness of effective hydrocarbon source rocks (mudstone and carbonate rocks) is over 1500m, and the organic matter types are mainly of type I and type Ⅱ. In general the abundance of organic matter of the carbonate rocks is 0 1%～0 3%, the hydrocarbon generating potential (S1+S2) being 0 01～0 195mg/g. The abundance of organic matter of mudstone is generally over 0 5%, with the maximum over 2%. Its hydrocarbon generating potential is 0 018～28 1mg/g, and the organic matter is mainly at the mature to highly mature stage. More than 30 oil seeps have been found in the area, of which three are oil liquid ones and the others are solid bitumen and soft bitumen. Oil bearing rocks are concentrated in the Middle Upper Jurassic and Upper Triassic. Oil to source correlation analysis shows that the liquid oil is derived from the strata with oil reserves.The oil and gas shows, especially liquid oil seeps, indicate that the area experienced a history of hydrocarbon generation and migration. Preliminary prospecting shows that there exist two kinds of reservoirs: clastic rocks and carbonate rocks. The porosity of some carbonate reservoirs is up to 15%, which is favorable to the storage of oil and gas. Gypsum layers (single layer is generally 20～40m) are extensively distributed in Middle Jurassic of the Qiangtang Basin. Since Mesozoic marine strata in the basin has been strongly deformed and exposured on the surface of the earth during the Cenozoic, compared with other general bearing hydrocarbon basins, the preservative condition of Qiangtang Basin appears to be poor, but there still has a good prospects of exploration because of the Mesozoic strata containing abundant pliable layers such as gypsums and shales.

TECTONIC CHARACTERISTICS AND EVOLUTION OF THE QIANGTANG BASIN IN NORTHERN TIBET PLATEAU

The Qiangtang basin is located in the north of Qinghai—Tibet plateau and sandwiched by Nianqingtangula continental block and Kekexili\|Bayuankal continental block. Its southern boundary is the Bangongfu—Nujiang suture zone and its northern boundary is the Xijinwulan\|Jinshajiang suture zone.The basement of Qiangtang basin is composed f metamorphic rock of Proterozoic age, which can be divided into two parts. The competent lower part with isotope age of 2056～2310Ma experienced multi\|stage deformation and the soft upper part is dated 1111～1205Ma. Within the basin, it groups into Northern Qiangtang Depression, Central Rise and Southern Depressions and are complicated by a number of subdepressions and subuplifts.The strata of Middle Devonian\|Tertiary are overlain on the basement and composed of marine carbonate rocks, clastic rocks and terrestrial sandstone and conglomerate. Several sets of faults and folds have developed in the cover sequence and the deformation is very strong, characterized by orientation, zonation and equidistance in space and by diversity and disharmony in the profile. The major deformation occurred in Yanshan\|Himalayan period.

Study of the Factors Affecting the Abundance of Organic Matter in Jurassic Carbonate Rocks in Qiangtang Basin, Tibet

Field and laboratory analyses of carbonate rock samples from the Qiangtang Basin, Tibet, indicate that carbonate source rocks are mainly developed in the Middle Jurassic Xiali Formation and Upper Jurassic Suowa Formation. Comprehensive studies showed that the Suowa Formation carbonate source rocks have a favorable hydrocarbon-generating potential. The abundance of organic matter in the carbonate rocks is controlled mainly by sedimentary environment and inorganic compounds in the rocks, which is higher in the restricted platform facies than in the open platform facies. Organic carbon contents decrease with increasing CaO contents in the source rocks.

Characteristics of the Upper Jurassic Marine Source Rocks and Prediction of Favorable Source Rock Kitchens in the Qiangtang Basin, Tibet

This study evaluated the hydrocarbon-bearing potential of Upper Jurassic marine source rocks in the Qiangtang （羌塘） Basin through a comprehensive organic geochemical analysis of the samples from a large number of outcrops in different structural units to predict the location of favorable hydro- carbon kitchens, based on the evaluation standards of Mesozoic marine source rocks in the Qiangtang Ba- sin. Rocks＇ depositional environment, thickness and organic geochemistry feature were analyzed in this study. The principal controlling factors of the occurrences of favorable source rocks were analyzed. Upper Jurassic Suowa （索瓦） Formation source rocks are mainly platform limestone in the Dongcuo （洞错）-Hulu （葫芦） Lake deep sag and Tupocuo （吐坡错）-Baitan （白滩） Lake deep sag. Lithologically, the Suowa Fro- mation is made up of a suite of marls in intra-platform sags, micrites and black shales, which were all de- posited in the closed, deep and static water depositional environment. Marl could form hydrocarbon-rich source rocks and its organic matter type is mainly II type in mature to highly-mature stage, the limestone forms a medium-level source rock. In addition, the favorable source kitchen of limestone is larger than that of mudstone. This study provides an important reference for the evaluation of Jurassic marine source rocks and for prediction of petroleum resources in the Qiangtang Basin.

DEFINITING AND ITS GEOLOGIC MEANING OF SOUTH-NORTH TREND FAULTED STRUCTURE BELT IN QIANGTANG BASIN, NORTH PART OF TIBET

There were more expounding to north—west (west) trend fault and north\|east trend fault within Qiangtang Basin, North Part of Tibet, in the past literature. With increasing of geophysical exploration data, nearly east\|west trend structure began to be taken note to. Since the year of 1995, by a synthetic study to geophysical and geological data, that south\|north trend faulted structures are well developed. These structures should be paid much more attention to, because they have important theoretical meaning and practical significance.1 Spreading of south\|north faulted structure belt According to different geological and geophysical data, the six larger scale nearly south\|north faulted structure belt could be distinguished within the scope of east longitude 84°～96° and near Qiangtang Basin. The actual location of the six belts are nearly located in the west of the six meridian of east longitude 85°,87°,89°,91°,93°,95° or located near these meridian. The six south\|north faulted structure belts spread in the same interval with near 2° longitude interval. The more clear and much more significance of south\|north trend faulted structure belts are the two S—N trend faulted structure belts of east longitude 87° and 89°. There are S—N trend faulted structure belts in the west of east longitude 83°,81°, or near the longitudes. The structure belts spreading features,manifestation,geological function and its importance, and inter texture and structure are not exactly so same. The structure belts all different degree caused different region of geological structure or gravity field and magnetic field. There is different scale near S—N trend faulted structure belt between the belts.

Base level change and depositional filling response of Jurassic in the Qiangtang Basin of Tibet

The base level during the deposition of Jurassic in the Qiangtang Basin shows a complete cycle from rising to falling. The base level change is closely connected with tectonic evolution of the basin,especially connected with Bangonghu-Nujiang ocean evolution process in the formation and evolution of the basin. It is also affected by climate. The Jurassic strata correspond to a long-term base level cycle sequence. The sequence is in fact a non-complete symmetrical cycle,consisting of rising hemicycle and falling hemicycle. It can be divided into 6 intermediate-term base level cycle sequences,including 2 carbonate sequences,3 mixture sedimentary sequences of carbonate and clastic rocks and one clastic sedimentary sequence. Depositional filling characteristics during base level change show that Bangonghu-Nujiang ocean spreads in Toarcian-Bajocian ages,and is at the height of spreading of Bangonghu-Nujiang ocean in Bathonian-Oxfordian ages. In that process,sea area became smaller because of the dry climate. Eventually,marine depositional filling is ended with the subduction and collision of Bangonghu-Nujiang ocean.