Special Oil & Gas Reservoirs ›› 2025, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (3): 8-15.DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-6535.2025.03.002

• Geologic Exploration • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Development characteristics and genetic mechanism of faults in the Shunnan-Gulong Area, Tarim Basin

HUANG Cheng1, LIN Bo1, ZHANG Sheng1, WANG Yuefeng1,2, YU Fusheng2   

  1. 1. Sinopec Northwest Oilfield Company, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830011, China;
    2. China University of Petroleum(Beijing), Beijing 102249, China
  • Received:2024-06-24 Revised:2025-02-24 Online:2025-06-25 Published:2025-07-08

Abstract: To address the issue of differing understandings regarding the nature, evolutionary stages, and genetic mechanisms of the fault system in the Shunnan-Gulong Area, a study was conducted on the fault system in the study area through seismic interpretation, seismic attribute extraction, fault activity intensity statistics, and analysis of the regional tectonic background. The results show that the north-east-east-trending faults are extensional normal faults formed during the early Caledonian passive continental margin stage, driven by north-west to south-east oriented extension from the opening of the Altyn Ocean. These faults were reactivated in the middle Caledonian period to form "P" fractures. The north-east-trending faults are widespread left-lateral strike-slip faults formed during the middle Caledonian compressional-transpressional stage, with stress originating from the north-west to south-east oriented compression generated during the closure of the Altyn Ocean. The north-north-west-trending faults are tensile fractures formed during the late Caledonian to middle Hercynian period due to basement strike-slip, with stress from the nearly south-north compression caused by the closure of the southern Tianshan Ocean. The segmented activity differences in the Cheltenham Fault are the main reason for the segmented activity of the Tazhong No. 1 Fault and the widespread development of north-east-trending compressional-transpressional strike-slip faults. The structural characteristics of strike-slip fault zones are crucial for reservoir size and hydrocarbon migration. This study provides a theoretical basis for analyzing the development process of strike-slip faults and their relationship with hydrocarbon accumulation in the Shunnan-Gulong Area, and laying a foundation for hydrocarbon exploration in the study area and its surroundings.

Key words: Tarim Basin, Shunnan-Gulong Area, strike-slip fault, extensional fault, genetic mechanism

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