A well-preserved 250 million-year-old oil accumulation in the Tarim Basin, western China: Implications for hydrocarbon exploration in old and deep basins

2013 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
pp. 478-488 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guangyou Zhu ◽  
Shuichang Zhang ◽  
Keyu Liu ◽  
Haijun Yang ◽  
Bin Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tarim Basin ◽  
Hydrocarbon Exploration ◽  
Western China ◽  
Oil Accumulation

Geological origins of seismic bright spot reflections in the Ordovician strata in the Halahatang area of the Tarim Basin, western China

2018 ◽  
Vol 55 (12) ◽  
pp. 1297-1311 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Yang ◽  
Xiaoxing Gong ◽  
Wenjie Li
Keyword(s):  
Tarim Basin ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
High Amplitude ◽  
Hydrothermal Activity ◽  
Hydrocarbon Exploration ◽  
Western China ◽  
Bright Spot ◽  
Gas Reservoirs ◽  
Seismic Section ◽  
Bright Spots

Anomalously high-amplitude seismic reflections are commonly observed in deeply buried Ordovician carbonate strata in the Halahatang area of the northern Tarim Basin. These bright spots have been demonstrated to be generally related to effective oil and gas reservoirs. These bright spot reflections have complex geological origins, because they are deeply buried and have been altered by multi-phase tectonic movement and karstification. Currently, there is no effective geological model for these bright spots to guide hydrocarbon exploration and development. Using core, well logs, and seismic data, the geological origins of bright spot are classified into three types, controlled by karstification, faulting, and volcanic hydrothermal activity. Bright spots differing by geological origin exhibit large differences in seismic reflection character, such as reflection amplitude, curvature, degree of distortion, and the number of vertically stacked bright spots in the seismic section. By categorizing the bright spots and the seismic character of the surrounding strata, their geological origins can after be inferred. Reservoirs formed by early karstification were later altered by epigenetic karstification. Two periods of paleodrainage further altered the early dissolution pores. In addition, faults formed by tectonic uplift also enhanced the dissolution of the flowing karst waters. Some reservoirs were subsequently altered by Permian volcanic hydrothermal fluids.

Genetic diversity patterns in an endangered desert shrub from north-western China: implications for conservation

2019 ◽  
Vol 67 (7) ◽  
pp. 571
Author(s):  
Zhihao Su ◽  
Liuqiang Wang ◽  
Li Zhuo ◽  
Xiaolong Jiang ◽  
Wenjun Li
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Tarim Basin ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Gene Diversity ◽  
Isolation By Distance ◽  
In Situ Conservation ◽  
Western China ◽  
Niche Modelling ◽  
Diversity Patterns ◽  
North Western

Tamarix taklamakanensis is an endangered shrub endemic to the Tarim Basin and adjacent Kumtag Desert in north-western China. Here, we used two chloroplast DNA sequences, namely, psbA-trnH and trnS-trnG, to examine the genetic diversity patterns of this species across its entire covered range. A total of nineteen haplotypes were detected. The total gene diversity within the species is high. Genetic variation mainly occurred among populations, SAMOVA groups, and geographic regions. The test for isolation-by-distance showed a significant correlation between genetic and geographical distances, and the genetic landscape shape analysis showed a significant genetic divergence between the Tarim Basin and Kumtag Desert. T. taklamakanensis likely had a potential geographic range during the Last Glacial Maximum period that was much smaller than the present range predicted by ecological niche modelling. The cold and dry climate during the glacial periods of the Quaternary might be a driver of the genetic isolation and divergence detected within T. taklamakanensis, and climatic oscillations might account for the habitat fragmentation of the species. Within the inner of the basin, populations have a higher level of genetic diversity and harbor most of this genetic diversity, thus a nature reserves should be set up in this area for the in situ conservation. In addition, five genetically distinct groups within T. taklamakanensis should be treated as different management units (MUs) when implementing conservation activities.

Recovery of the Cretaceous palaeo‐uplifts and its implications for hydrocarbon systems in the Kuqa Depression, Tarim Basin, western China

2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (12) ◽  
pp. 7872-7891
Author(s):  
Xu Song ◽  
Xiuxiang Lü ◽  
Han Quan ◽  
Xiaoxiao Zhou ◽  
Yao Guan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tarim Basin ◽  
Western China ◽  
Kuqa Depression

Hydrocarbon-bearing characteristics of the SB1 strike-slip fault zone in the north of the Shuntuo Low Uplift, Tarim Basin

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. petgeo2019-144
Author(s):  
Ziyi Wang ◽  
Zhiqian Gao ◽  
Tailiang Fan ◽  
Hehang Zhang ◽  
Lixin Qi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fault Zone ◽  
Tarim Basin ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Strike Slip ◽  
Strike Slip Fault ◽  
Hydrocarbon Exploration ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Permeability Barrier ◽  
The North ◽  
Migration Pathways

The SB1 strike-slip fault zone, which developed in the north of the Shuntuo Low Uplift of the Tarim Basin, plays an essential role in reservoir formation and hydrocarbon accumulation in deep Ordovician carbonate rocks. In this research, through the analysis of high-quality 3D seismic volumes, outcrop, drilling and production data, the hydrocarbon-bearing characteristics of the SB1 fault are systematically studied. The SB1 fault developed sequentially in the Paleozoic and formed as a result of a three-fold evolution: Middle Caledonian (phase III), Late Caledonian–Early Hercynian and Middle–Late Hercynian. Multiple fault activities are beneficial to reservoir development and hydrocarbon filling. In the Middle–Lower Ordovician carbonate strata, linear shear structures without deformation segments, pull-apart structure segments and push-up structure segments alternately developed along the SB1 fault. Pull-apart structure segments are the most favourable areas for oil and gas accumulation. The tight fault core in the centre of the strike-slip fault zone is typically a low-permeability barrier, whilst the damage zones on both sides of the fault core are migration pathways and accumulation traps for hydrocarbons, leading to heterogeneity in the reservoirs controlled by the SB1 fault. This study provides a reference for hydrocarbon exploration and development of similar deep-marine carbonate reservoirs controlled by strike-slip faults in the Tarim Basin and similar ancient hydrocarbon-rich basins.

scholarly journals Onset of permanent Taklimakan Desert linked to the mid-Pleistocene transition

Geology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (8) ◽  
pp. 782-786
Author(s):  
Weiguo Liu ◽  
Zhonghui Liu ◽  
Jimin Sun ◽  
Chunhui Song ◽  
Hong Chang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tarim Basin ◽  
Sand Dunes ◽  
Western China ◽  
Taklimakan Desert ◽  
The Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Mountain Glaciers ◽  
Long Period ◽  
Carbonate Carbon ◽  
Eolian Sand ◽  
Desert Landscape

Abstract The initial occurrence of desert landscape or eolian sand dunes is thought to have occurred long before the Pleistocene, and desertification was subsequently enhanced under cold, dusty glacial conditions. However, when and how the desert landscape persisted during both glacial and interglacial periods, defined as “permanent” desert here, remain elusive. Here, we present carbonate carbon isotope and grain-size records from the Tarim Basin, western China, revealing a detailed desertification history for the Taklimakan Desert. Our records demonstrate that after desiccation of episodic lakes at ca. 4.9 Ma, alternations of eolian sand dunes and fluvial and playa-like conditions persisted for a long period until 0.7 Ma in the Tarim Basin. The onset of permanent desert landscape around 0.7–0.5 Ma occurred concurrently with the climatic reorganization across the mid-Pleistocene transition. The occurrence of mountain glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau and atmospheric circulation changes may have controlled the formation and extreme aridification of the permanent desert in inland Asia since the mid-Pleistocene transition.

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