Exploration field analysis and zone optimization of sinian, Tarim Basin, China

Abstract

Carbonate rock from the Late Proterozoic to the Early Paleozoic is an important field of oil and gas exploration. The Sinian carbonate rock series in Tarim Basin are old, deep buried, with few drilling wells and various geological problems are unclear that restrict the exploration of deep carbonate rock. Based on the analysis of Sinian geological structure, by means of stratigraphic correlation and seismic prediction, the distribution of Sinian favorable source rocks, deep reservoir facies belts, and reservoir forming assemblages are studied to comb the exploration fields and favorable zones of Sinian in Tarim Basin. The findings reveal that slope-basin facies source rocks developed in Sinian. In the upper part of the Qigebulake Formation, high-quality dolomite reservoirs evolved, and mudstone from the Yuertus Formation at the foot of Cambrian can form favorable reservoir cap assemblage. The south slope of Tabei Uplift and the north slope of Tazhong Uplift are the most favorable exploration zones for Sinian dolomite, favorable exploration area of approximately 31,000 km2. The findings can provide a certain reference for the Sinian carbonate oil and gas exploration in the Tarim Basin.

Keywords

• Tarim Basin
• Sinian
• Hydrocarbon source rocks
• Accumulation assemblage
• Exploration domain
• Zone selection