Mechanism of Silurian Hydrocarbon Pool Formation in the Tarim Basin

There are three formation stages of Silurian hydrocarbon pools in the Tarim Basin. The widely distributed asphaltic sandstones in the Tazhong （central Tarim） and Tabei （northern Tarim） areas are the results of destruction of hydrocarbon pools formed in the first-stage, and the asphaltic sandstones around the Awati Sag were formed in the second-stage. The hydrocarbon migration characteristics reflected by the residual dry asphalts could represent the migration characteristics of hydrocarbons in the Silurian paleo-pools, while the present movable oil in the Silurian reservoirs is related to the iater-stage （the third-stage） hydrocarbon accumulation.

Distribution of major hydrocarbon source rocks in the major oil-gas-bearing basins in China

The distribution characteristics of major hydrocarbon source rocks in the major oil-gas-bearing basins in China were discussed in this paper, and differences between the East and the West basins in tectonic setting, age, lithology, sedimentary environment, and hydrocarbon generation feature and potential were also studied. Considering the Lüliang Mountains-Dalou Mountains as the boundary, source rocks in the East basins are distributed mainly in three NNE-trend subsiding belts, and those in the West basins are distributed in the north and south of the Tianshan Mountains and Qilian Mountains. They are mainly NWW trending and can be divided into four basin groups.

Rapid hydrocarbon accumulation mechanism in later period in Kelasu thrust belt in Kuqa depression

Based on the analyses of generation, migration and accumulation of oil and gas in the structures of Kela 1, Kela 2 and Kela 3 in Kasangtuokai anticlinal belt using a series of geological and geochemical evidence, this paper proposes that the rapid rate of hydrocarbon generation, main drain path for over-pressured fluid flow and converging conduit system are indispensable conditions for the rapid, late-stage gas accumulation in the Kelasu thrust belt in the Kuqa depression. Due to structural over-lapping and the resultant rapid burial, the maturity of the source rocks had been increased rapidly from 1.3 to 2.5% Ro within 2.3 Ma, with an average rate of Ro increase up to 0.539% Ro/Ma. The rapid matura-tion of the source rocks had provided sufficient gases for late-stage gas accumulation. The kelasu structural belt has a variety of faults, but only the fault that related with fault propagation fold and cut through the gypsiferous mudstone cap could act as the main path for overpressured fluid release and then for fast gas accumulation in low fluid potential area. All the evidence from surface structure map, seismic profile explanation, authigenic kaolinite and reservoir property demonstrates that the main drain path related with faults for overpressured fluid and the converging conduit system are the key point for the formation of the giant Kela 2 gas field. By contrast, the Kela 1 and Kela 3 structures lo-cated on both sides of Kela 2 structure, are not favourable for gas accumulation due to lacking con-verging conduit system.

The distribution and geological significance of carbazole compounds in Silurian paleo-pools of the Tarim Basin, Northwest China

The results presented in this paper indicated that the carbazole-type compounds have high thermal stabil- ity and also show stability in oxidation and bio-degradation. This kind of compounds still has high concentrations and a complete distribution in the analyzed dry asphalt samples, showing that they are particularly useful in the study of hydrocarbon migration of the paleo-pools. The difference in the contents of nitrogen compounds in the Silurian dry asphalts from the Awati, Tabei and Tazhong areas is attributed to the difference in the extent of oxidation and (or) bio-degradation for the areas; the Awati and Tabei areas underwent relatively strong oxidation and bio-degradation. During the first stage of hydrocarbon pool formation in the Silurian system in the Tazhong and Tabei areas of the Tarim Basin (at the end of the Silurian period) and at the second stage in the Awati area (in Permian), the hydrocar- bons experienced a long-distance migration.