Tectonics and Prospects of Oil and Gas in Tarim Basin

Kang Zhang and Darui Wang

The authors put forward a new scheme for boundary line of Tarim plate with Tarim and Qaidam fault blocks. Tarim and Dunhuang basins, as well as some uplifts are developed in the Tarim fault block. The tectonics evolution of Tarim plate during the Phanerozoic has experienced a tension-pressure megacycle which consists of two cycles (Z-P and T-Q). further, each cycle can be subdivided into two subcycles, and their ages are Z-D, C-P, Tr-J, and K-Q. They all have undergone the process of tension-pressure. The characters between each stage or region are different, owing to distinct evolutional background in the cycles or in tectonics position.

The juxtaposition of different texture elements in the same geologic age and the super-position of some texture elements in different geologic age result in the formation of Tarim Basin with complex texture.

Tarim Basin is rich in oil and gas resources, but some factors, such as long-term and multi-stages (including late stage) of hydrocarbon generation, and dispersal by regional unconformity, redistribution of hydrocarbon accumulation, etc., will be the difficulties for exploration.

AAPG Search and Discover Article #91019©1996 AAPG Convention and Exhibition 19-22 May 1996, San Diego, California