Structural patterns of fault damage zones in carbonate rocks and their influences on petroleum accumulation in Tazhong Paleo-uplift, Tarim Basin, NW China

Based on the outcrop survey,3D seismic data interpretation,drilling data analysis,the structural patterns and distribution of fault damage zones in carbonate strata of Tazhong Paleo-uplift were established to reveal the oil and gas enrichment law in the fault damage zones.The following findings were reached:(1)Through the filed survey,the fault damage zone system consists of fault core,damage zone with branch fault and fracture network.Affected by the active nature of the major faults,the fault damage zones differ in planar pattern and scale along the major faults.(2)3D seismic profiles reveal that there are three types of fault damage zones in carbonate strata in Tazhong paleo-uplift,strike-slip fault damage zones,thrust fault damage zones and superimposed fault damage zones.Featuring3 flowers and 3 root belts in vertical,the strike-slip fault damage zone can be subdivided into linear type,oblique type,feather type and horsetail type in plane.Thrust fault damage zones can be further divided into fault anticline type,anticline type and slope type.As the superimposition result of the above two kinds of fault damage zones,superimposed fault damage zones appear in three patterns,intersect type,encompassment type and penetrating type.(3)Cores from wells and geochemical data show oil and gas may migrate along the major fault and laterally.The feather type in strike-slip fault system,fault anticline type in thrust fault damage zone and intersect type in superimposed fault damage zone are possible sites for high production and efficiency wells.

Distribution, evolution and structural properties of Wushenqi paleo-uplift in Ordos Basin, NW China

This paper depicts the distribution of the Wushenqi paleo-uplift in the Ordos Basin by using the latest drilling and seismic data, and analyzes the tectonic evolution of the paleo-uplift with the support of Bischke curve and balanced section. The compressional Wushenqi paleo-uplift which developed in the Early Caledonian orogeny(Huaiyuan orogeny) is approximately a ellipse extending in S-N direction. Its long axis is about 194 km and short axis is about 55-94 km in nearly W-E direction. The denudation thickness and area of the Cambrian in the core are 170-196 m and 11 298 km^(2), respectively. It was mainly formed during the Huaiyuan orogeny according to the chronostratigraphic framework. It was in the embryonic stage in the Middle-Late Cambrian, denuded after developed obviously at the end of Late Cambrian. The paleo-uplift of the 3rd member of the Ordovician Majiagou Formation was reactivated and reduced in area. In the sedimentary period of the Ma 4 Member-pre-Carboniferous, the paleo-uplift experienced non-uniform uplift and denudation. It entered the stable period of burial and preservation in the Carboniferous and later period. The Wushenqi paleo-uplift was formed on the weak area of the basement and tectonic belts, into an compressional structure with irregular morphology, under the control of the non-coaxial compression in the south and north and the stress transmitted by the uplift in the basin. The Wushenqi paleo-uplift has a controlling effect on the sedimentary reservoirs and hydrocarbon accumulation.

Migration of paleo-uplift in southwestern Tarim Basin and its implications for orogenesis and reservoir development, NW China

Based on well horizon calibration,the typical seismic profiles in southwestern Tarim Basin were interpreted systematically,regional geological sections were established,and the regional denudation thickness of each tectonic period was restored.On this basis,the plane morphology maps of ancient structures of the Cambrian pre-salt dolomites in different periods were compiled,and the spatial distribution,development,evolution and migration of paleo-uplift in the late Early Paleozoic were analyzed.In the late Early Paleozoic,there existed a unified regional paleo-uplift widely distributed in southwestern Tarim Basin,which is called the southwestern Tarim plaeo-uplift.The“Tarim SW paleo-uplift”and“Hetian paleo-uplift”proposed in previous literatures are not independent,but the result of the spatio-temporal migration and evolution of the southwestern Tarim paleo-uplift identified in this paper.The southwestern Tarim paleo-uplift emerged at the end of Middle Ordovician,and took its initial shape with increased amplitude in the Late Ordovician.During the Silurian,the southwestern Tarim paleo-uplift rose steadily and expanded rapidly to the east,incorporating Pishan-Hetian and other areas,with the structural high locating in the Pishan-Hetian area.During the Devonian,the southwestern Tarim paleo-uplift began to shrink gradually,to a limited range in the Pishan-Hetian area in the southern part of the basin.During the Carboniferous,the southwestern Tarim paleo-uplift became an underwater uplift,that is,the paleo-uplift gradually died out.The southwestern Tarim paleo-uplift belongs to the forebulge of the southwestern Tarim foreland basin in the late Early Paleozoic,and its formation and evolution are related to the early Paleozoic orogeny of the West Kunlun orogenic belt in the south of the Tarim Basin.The migration of the southwestern Tarim paleo-uplift from the northwestern part of the southwestern Tarim Basin to the Pishan-Hetian area indicates the early Paleozoic orogenic process of the West Kunlun orogenic belt,which started in the western section at the end of Middle Ordovician and extended from west to east in a“scissor”style.The migration and evolution of the southwestern Tarim paleo-uplift controlled the development of unconformities at the end of Middle Ordovician,the end of Late Ordovician,and the end of Middle Devonian,and the spatial distribution of dissolved fracture-cave reservoirs in weathered crust below the unconformities in the southwest of Tarim Basin.The migration of the structural high of the southwestern Tarim paleo-uplift also played an important role in controlling the development of dissolved fracture-cave reservoirs in weathered crust.

塔里木盆地塔中隆起中北部地区断裂构造特征及演化

为系统揭示塔里木盆地塔中隆起中北部地区断裂构造特征及其成因演化,通过对该区大连片三维地震工区精细构造解析和相干体等分析,并结合区域动力背景,系统论述了该区的断裂构造类型、几何学特征、差异活动机制及其构造演化过程。研究结果表明,塔中隆起中北部发育了4类7期断裂构造,其中逆冲断裂和走滑断裂尤其发育。平面上北西向弧形逆冲断裂与北东向、北西向及南北向走滑断裂相互交切与耦合;垂向上断裂分层差异活动特征明显,下奥陶统及其以下地层,断裂发育数量多且以线形为主,中奥陶统-中下泥盆统多呈雁列式,上泥盆统-二叠系仅在塔中Ⅱ号断裂带、顺北5号断裂带西南端等地区发育少量断裂。研究区断裂活动受多期、多方向不同性质应力场所控制,经历了极其复杂的演化历史:加里东早期以塔中Ⅱ号断裂带等少量北倾正断层活动为主;加里东中期Ⅰ幕断裂活动强烈,表现为逆冲断裂与走滑断裂协同演化和相互耦合特征,走滑断裂对逆冲断裂的切割或限制作用明显;加里东中期Ⅲ幕断裂活动基本继承了加里东中期Ⅰ幕的构造格局,但在工区北部的顺北4号、5号等断裂带张扭性断裂活动特征显著;加里东晚期-海西早期,部分断裂发生继承性活动且张扭断裂发育范围进一步向南扩大;印支-燕山期,仅有少数断裂发生继承性活动;喜山期该区构造比较稳定,早期形成的复杂断裂构造进入深埋阶段。

低能环境下核形石组构特征及成因——以中15井上奥陶统良里塔格组核形石为例

【目的】奥陶纪时期全球发生了一次生物大辐射,核形石研究对于揭示该期古环境特征及演化具有重要意义。【方法】以塔里木盆地塔中地区中15井核形石为研究对象,通过详细地岩心观察和室内薄片、扫描电镜鉴定,统计、分析核形石宏观形态、微观组构特征,探讨了其形成环境、成因及地质意义。【结果】塔里木盆地塔中地区中15井上奥陶统良里塔格组泥质条带灰岩段为开阔台地的台内洼地沉积,中上部发育一套厚约12.3 m的深灰色含泥质条带核形石灰岩、含生屑泥晶核形石灰岩,核形石粒径大、丰度高。核心为早期台缘生屑、团块;包壳厚度大,富含细菌纹层;基质中多充填灰泥、细生屑,普遍发育泥质条带;代表了一种水体搅动及搬运作用不强烈的原地或近距离搬运沉积成因。核形石可分为球状、帽状、板条状、椭球状等四类,以帽状、球状为主。垂向上为三个核形石发育段,单个旋回含量、粒度呈变大趋势。【结论】球状、帽状核形石形成于水体搅动和静止相交替状态的环境,板条状核形石形成于弱搅动的低能环境。中15井核形石的产出受奥陶纪全球海平面上升以及生物大辐射影响,具体为丰富的核心物质来源(相邻台缘带生屑、团块)、发育程度高的细菌黏附生长、稳定或弱波动的沉积环境等因素的有机耦合。

Origin of the unusually high dibenzothiophene concentrations in Lower Ordovician oils from the Tazhong Uplift,Tarim Basin,China

The origin of the unusually high dibenzothiophene （DBT） concentrations in Lower Ordovician oils from the Tazhong Uplift,Tarim Basin was studied by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry （FT-ICR MS）.The most abundant sulfur compounds in the oils are S 1 species with doublebond equivalent （DBE） values of 1-19 and 11-48 carbon atoms.The range of the number of carbon atoms in the sulfur compounds detected by the FT-ICR MS （S 1 species with DBE=9） is about ten times larger than that for sulfur compounds detected by GC/MS （DBTs）.This suggests that FT-ICR MS is a much better approach than GC/MS for characterization of DBTs in crude oils.The abundance of S 1 species with DBE=1-8 decreased with increasing thermal maturity,while the abundance of S 1 species with DBE=9 （primarily DBTs） increased.Therefore,thermal maturity is an important factor in the formation of oils with high DBT concentrations.Unusually high abundances of S 1 species with low DBE values （1-8）,which include sulfide,thiophene and benzothiophene,were observed in several oils,especially the TZ83 （O 1） oil with high or very high thermal maturity.Thermochemical sulfate reduction （TSR） was thought to be the reason for the high abundance of these low DBE compounds in deep reservoirs,and thermochemical sulfate reduction could affect the distribution and composition of DBTs in the oils.According to the results of FT-ICR MS analysis,there are no signs that TSR is occurring or has occurred recently for most of the Lower Ordovician oils.

Comparison of the Surface and Underground Natural Gas Occurrences in the Tazhong Uplift of the Tarim Basin

The oil, gas and water volumes revealed by the productivity of exploratory wells do not reflect the actual underground situations. Under the geologic conditions, a certain amount of dissolved natural gas is stored in oil or water. Based on the production test data of exploratory wells in the Tazhong uplift of the Tarim basin, this paper discusses in detail the differences in occurrence and distribution featrues between the surface and underground natural gases; presents a restoration of the surface gas occurrence to actual underground geologic conditions according to the dissolubility of natural gas under different temperature, pressure and medium conditions; and classifies the natural gas into three states, i.e. the oversaturated, saturated and undersaturated, according to its relative content underground. Through a comparative analysis of the differences in surface and underground occurrences of natural gas, it discusses the hydrocarbon reservoir formation mechanism and distribution rules, thereby providing guidances as new methods and technologies for the prediction of potential natural gas reservoir distribution in the study area.

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

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

Differences of Hydrocarbon Enrichment between the Upper and the Lower Structural Layers in the Tazhong Paleouplift

The Tazhong paleouplift is divided into the upper and the lower structural layers, bounded by the unconformity surface at the top of the Ordovician carbonate rock. The reservoirs in the two layers from different parts vary in number, type and reserves, but the mechanism was rarely researched before. Therefore, an explanation of the mechanism will promote petroleum exploration in Tazhong paleouplift. After studying the evolution and reservoir distribution of the Tazhong paleouplift, it is concluded that the evolution in late Caledonian, late Hercynian and Himalayan periods resulted in the upper and the lower structural layers. It is also defined that in the upper structural layer, structural and stratigraphic overlap reservoirs are developed at the top and the upper part of the paleouplift, which are dominated by oil reservoirs, while for the lower structural layer, lithological reservoirs are developed in the lower part of the paleouplift, which are dominated by gas reservoirs, and more reserves are discovered in the lower structural layer than the upper. Through a comparative analysis of accumulation conditions of the upper and the lower structural layers, the mechanism of enrichment differences is clearly explained. The reservoir and seal conditions of the lower structural layer are better than those of the upper layer, which is the reason why more reservoirs have been found in the former. The differences in the carrier system types, trap types and charging periods between the upper and the lower structural layers lead to differences in the reservoir types and distribution. An accumulation model is established for the Tazhong paleouplift. For the upper structural layer, the structural reservoirs and the stratigraphic overlap reservoirs are formed at the upper part of the paleouplift, while for the lower structural layer, the weathering crust reservoirs are formed at the top, the reef-flat reservoirs are formed on the lateral margin, the karst and inside reservoirs are formed in the lower part of the paleouplift.

Control of facies and fluid potential on hydrocarbon accumulation and prediction of favorable Silurian targets in the Tazhong Uplift,Tarim Basin,China

Exploration practices show that the Silurian hydrocarbon accumulation in the Tazhong Uplift is extremely complicated.Our research indicates that the oil and gas accumulation is controlled by favorable facies and low fluid potential.At the macro level,hydrocarbon distribution in this uplift is controlled by structural zones and sedimentary systems.At the micro level,oil occurrences are dominated by lithofacies and petrophysical facies.The control of facies is embodied in high porosity and permeability controlling hydrocarbon accumulation.Besides,the macro oil and gas distribution in the uplift is also influenced by the relatively low fluid potential at local highs,where most successful wells are located.These wells are also closely related to the adjacent fractures.Therefore,the Silurian hydrocarbon accumulation mechanism in the Tazhong Uplift can be described as follows.Induced by structures,the deep and overpressured fluids migrated through faults into the sand bodies with relatively low potential and high porosity and permeability.The released overpressure expelled the oil and gas into the normal-pressured zones,and the hydrocarbon was preserved by the overlying caprock of poorly compacted Carboniferous and Permian mudstones.Such a mechanism reflects favorable facies and low potential controlling hydrocarbon accumulation.Based on the statistical analysis of the reservoirs and commercial wells in the uplift,a relationship between oil-bearing property in traps and the facies-potential index was established,and a prediction of two favorable targets was made.

Observation of saltation activity at Tazhong area in Taklimakan Desert,China

A two-year field observation of saltation activity was carried out at Tazhong area, the hinterland area of the Taklimakan Desert with highly frequent dust storms. From 1 September 2008 to 31 August 2010, a piezoelectric saltation sensor （Sensit） was used to continuously collect the data on saltation activity at a level sand surface. Analysis on the data suggests that saltation activity can occur at any time of the year when conditions are favorable; however, the necessary conditions are rarely satisfied in most time. In the daytime of spring or summer, saltation activity can persist even over a continuous one-hour-or-so period. It is found that, from 1 September 2008 to 31 August 2010, saltation activity accounts for more than 3% of the total yearly time, and it tends to peak in spring and summer months with strong winds. During winter months when winds are weak, however, it is often at a minimum. It seems that precipitation does not appear to be significant in reducing saltation activity in arid regions like Tazhong.

Distribution and Significance of Carbazole Compounds in Palaeozoic Oils from the Tazhong Uplift, Tarim

Carbazole compounds in crude oils from the Tazhong uplift of the Tarim basin have been fractionated and detected and successfully used to study petroleum migration and trace source rocks in the study area. Alkylcarbazoles have been found in large amounts in the oil samples analyzed and alkylbenzocarbazoles detected in a small concentration only in part of the samples, but alkyldibenzocarbazoles have not been found in oils. Based on the distribution of G1, G2 and G3 of C2-alkylcarbazoles, the ratio of C3-carbazoles to C2-carbazoles and the relative amounts of alkylcarbazoles and alkylbenzocarbazoles, one can know that the vertical oil migration in the Tazhong uplift is generally from below upward, i.e. from the Ordovician through the Silurian to the Carboniferous. Evidently, source rocks in the uplift should be lower Palaeozoic strata (Ordovician and Cambrian). This study shows that carbazoles are of great importance in the study of petroleum migration and source rocks.

Post-Triassic thermal history of the Tazhong Uplift Zone in the Tarim Basin, Northwest China: Evidence from apatite fssion-track thermochronology

The Tarim Basin is a representative example of the basins developed in the northwest China that are characterized by multiple stages of heating and cooling.In order to better understand its complex thermal history,apatite fission track （AFT） thermochronology was applied to borehole samples from the Tazhong Uplift Zone （TUZ）.Twelve sedimentary samples of Silurian to Triassic depositional ages were analyzed from depths coinciding with the apatite partial annealing zone （～60-120 ℃）.The AFT ages,ranging from 132 ± 7 Ma （from a Triassic sample） to 25 ± 2 Ma （from a Carboniferous sample）,are clearly younger than their depositional ages and demonstrate a total resetting of the AFT thermometer after deposition.The AFT ages vary among different tectonic belts and decrease from the No.Ten Faulted Zone （133-105 Ma） in the northwest,the Central Horst Zone in the middle （108-37 Ma）,to the East Buried Hill Zone in the south （51 25 Ma）.Given the low magnitude of post-Triassic burial heating evidenced by low vitrinite reflectance values （Ro ＜ 0.7％）,the total resetting of the AFT system is speculated to result from the hot fluid flow along the faults.Thermal effects along the faults are well documented by younger AFT ages and unimodal single grain age distributions in the vicinity of the faults.Permian-early Triassic basaltic volcanism may be responsible for the early Triassic total annealing of those samples lacking connectivity with the fault.The above arguments are supported by thermal modeling results.

Controls of Acid-sensitive Minerals on Reservoir Sensitivity Testing： An Example from the Silurian Kepingtage Formation in Tazhong Area, Tarim Basin

The Silurian Kepingtage Formation in Tazhong area is regarded as an acid-sensitive hydrocarbon reservoir. However, formation mechanism of acid-sensitive of the reservoir cannot be interpreted by the existing acid-sensitive evaluation criterion based on damage rate. The contents of acid-sensitive minerals illustrated by bulk-rock XRD, scanning electron microscopy and clay mineral composition analysis exert the dominant control on acid-sensitive flow testing of the reservoir. The ironbearing minerals（including pyrite cements and chlorite cements） mainly deteriorate reservoir quality, while the iron-free minerals（including calcite cements and dolomite cements） mainly improve permeability. The permeability variation of the tested samples is controlled by the relative content of two acid-sensitive minerals. On the basis of newly established sensitivity mechanism and its influence on permeability, the corresponding ion（Fe^（2＋）） stabilizer was added to the acidizing fluids during the acidification reconstruction, which inhibited the negative factors of acid-sensitive minerals and improved the target layer quality effectively.

Structural Characteristics and their Significance for Hydrocarbon Accumulation in the Northern Slope of the Central Sichuan Paleo-uplift

Based on 2D and 3D seismic data,the latest drilling data and field outcrop data of the northern slope of the Central Sichuan paleo-uplift,the structural analysis method is used to analyze unconformity development characteristics and fault characteristics during the key structural transformation period,discussing the influence of the structural characteristics on the hydrocarbon accumulation of deep carbonate rocks.The results show that:(1)The two key unconformities of the Tongwan and Caledonian periods were primarily developed in deep carbonate rocks.Firstly,Tongwan’s unconformities are characterized by regional disconformities between the second and third members of the Dengying Formation,the top formation of the Sinian and the lower Cambrian,strips of which zigzag through the north and south sides of the study area.Secondly,the Caledonian unconformity is characterized by a regional unconformable contact between the lower Permian and the ower Paleozoic strata.From NE to SW,the age of the strata,which were subject to erosion,changes from new to old,the denudation distribution showing as a nose-shaped structure which inclines towards the ENE.(2)Boundary fault and transtensional strike-slip faults developed in the Sinian to Paleozoic strata.In profile,there are three types of structural styles:steep and erect,flower structures,’Y’and reversed’Y’type faults.In plane view,the Sinian developed extensional boundary faults extending in an almost NS direction,strike-slip faults developing and extending linearly in approximately EW,WNW and NE strikes in the Cambrian,with characteristically more in the south and less in the north.(3)The faults in the northern slope show obvious zonal deformations in transverse view as well as significant stages and stratified activity in a longitudinal direction.Among them,the activity of faults in the Sinian was the strongest,followed by the activity in the Cambrian period,the activity intensity of faults in the Permian period being the weakest.This fault activity can be divided into four periods:Sinian,Cambrian-Permian,the early Indosinian period and the late Indosinian-Himalayan period,the transtensional strikeslip faults being the products of oblique extensions of pre-existing weak zones in the Xingkai and Emei taphrogenesis,with a particular inheritance in the main faults.(4)Combined with hydrocarbon accumulation factors,it is considered that the epigenetic karstification of the Tongwan and Caledonian unconformities in the northern slope controlled the formation and distribution of carbonate karst reservoirs over a large area,also acting as a good pathway for oil and gas migration.The extensional faults developed at the margin of the NS trending rift,controlling the sag-platform sedimentary pattern in the Dengying Formation of the Sinian.Strike-slip faults in NE,WNW and ENE directions may control the microgeomorphological pattern inside the platform and intensify the differential distribution of grain beach facies.The multi-stage hereditary activity of strike-slip faults not only improved the porosity and permeability of the reservoirs,but also acted as the main channel of oil and gas migration,providing favorable conditions for the development of the current multi-layer gasbearing scenario in the northern slope of the Central Sichuan Basin.

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

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

Control of hydrocarbon accumulation by Lower Paleozoic cap rocks in the Tazhong Low Rise, Central Uplift, Tarim Basin, West China

Despite the absence of regional cap rocks in the Lower Paleozoic for the entire Tazhong Low Rise,several sets of effective local cap rocks are well preserved on the Northern Slope.Of these the best is the Ordovician mudstone of the Sangtamu Formation; the second is the Silurian Red Mudstone Member of the Tatairtag Formation and the marl of the Ordovician Lianglitag Formation; and the third is the gray mudstone of the Silurian Kepingtag Formation.The dense limestone of the Ordovician Yingshan Formation and the gypsum of the Middle Cambrian have shown initial sealing capacity.These effective cap rocks are closely related to the distribution of Lower Palaeozoic hydrocarbons in the Tazhong Low Rise.With well-preserved Sangtamu Formation mudstone and its location close to migration pathways,rich Lower Paleozoic hydrocarbon accumulation can be found on the Northem Slope.Vertically,most of the reserves are distributed below the Sangtamu Formation mudstone; areally,hydrocarbons are mainly found in the areas with well-developed Sangtamu Formation mudstone and Lianglitag Formation marl.Burial history and hydrocarbon charging history show that the evolution of Lower Palaeozoic cap rocks controlled the accumulation of hydrocarbon in the Tazhong Low Rise.Take the Red Mudstone Member of the Tatairtag Formation and Sangtamu Formation mudstone for examples：1） In the hydrocarbon charging time of the Late Caledonian-Early Hercynian,with top surfaces at burial depths of over 1,100 m,the cap rocks were able to seal oil and gas; 2） During the intense uplifting of the Devonian,the cap rocks with top surfaces at burial depths of 200-800 m and 500-1,100 m respectively were denuded in local areas,thus hydrocarbons trapped in earlier time were degraded to widespread bitumen; 3） In the hydrocarbon charging time of the Late Hercynian and Himalayan,the top surfaces of the cap rocks were at burial depths of over 2,000 m without intense uplifting and denudation thereafter,so trapped hydrocarbons were preserved.Based on cap rocks,the Ordovician Penglaiba Formation and Lower Cambrian dolomite could be potential targets for exploration on the Tazhong Northern Slope,and combined with hydrocarbon migration,less risk would be involved.

Application of wind profiler data to rainfall analyses in Tazhong Oilfield region,Xinjiang,China

To improve the level of meteorological service for the Oilfield region in the Taklimakan Desert, the Urumqi Institute of Desert Meteorology of the China Meteorological Administration （CMA） conducted a detection experiment by means of wind profiling radar （WPR） in Tazhong Oilfield region of Xinjiang, China in July 2010. By using the wind profiler data obtained during the rainfall process on 27 July, this paper analyzed the wind field fea- tures and some related scientific issues of this weather event. The results indicated that： （1） wind profiler data had high temporal resolution and vertical spatial resolution, and could be used to analyze detailed vertical structures of rainfall processes and the characteristics of meso-scale systems. Before and after the rain event on 27 July, the wind field showed multi-layer vertical structures, having an obvious meso-scale wind shear line and three airflows from different directions, speeding up the motion of updraft convergence in the lower atmosphere. Besides, the wind directions before and after the rainfall changed inversely with increasing height. Before the rain, the winds blew clockwise, but after the onset of the rain, the wind directions became counterclockwise mainly; （2） the temperature advection derived from wind profiler data can reproduce the characteristics of low-level thermodynamic evolution in the process of rainfall, which is capable to reflect the variation trend of hydrostatic stability in the atmosphere. In the early stage of the precipitation on 27 July, the lower atmosphere was mainly affected by warm advection which had accumulated unstable energy for the rainfall event and was beneficial for the occurrence of updraft motion and precipitation; （3） the ＂large-value zone＂ of the radar reflectivity factor Z was virtually consistent with the onset and end of the rainfall, the height for the formation of rain cloud particles, and precipitation intensity. The reflectivity factor Z during this event varied approximately in the range of 18-38 dBZ and the rain droplets formed mainly at the layer of 3,800-4,500 m.

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

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

Natural gas geology and exploration direction of the Cambrian Lower Canglangpu Member in central Sichuan paleo-uplift,Sichuan Basin,SW China

Based on drilling data of JT1 and CS1,outcrop profiles and seismic data,the sedimentary pattern,space configuration of source-reservoir-cap combinations and paleouplift evolution characteristics of the Cambrian Lower Canglangpu Member in the central Sichuan paleouplift have been investigated to determine the favorable exploration zones.Controlled by Deyang-Anyue rift,the Lower Canglangpu Member features differential characteristics from east to west in sedimentary framework.In the west side of the Deyang-Anyue rift,this member is composed of clastic sediments,while in the east side of the Deyang-Anyue rift,it is fresh water shelf sediments,with grain beaches occurring along edges of the depressions,shelf and lagoon.Among the beaches,the dolomitic ones are mainly distributed around the depression edge and in the north of the lagoon.The beach sediments could become high quality reservoirs under the effect of karstification.Underlying the Lower Canglangpu Member is the widespread source rock of the Qiongzhusi Formation,so oil and gas generated by the Qiongzhusi Formation source rock can directly charge into the beach reservoirs.The sandy mudstone of the Upper Canglangpu Member can serve as the caprock of the Lower Canglangpu Member reservoir.The dolomitic beaches are located at the higher part of the paleo-uplift during the main accumulation period,with good hydrocarbon accumulation elements.Blocks PT1-CS1,HT1-GT2 and east GT2 are favorable exploration zones.