Formation stage and controlling factors of the paleo-uplifts in the Tarim Basin: A further discussion

Abstract

Various types of paleo-uplifts with different characteristics are developed in the Tarim Basin. Previously, there were multiple opinions on the pale-uplifts origins and structural evolution, so the oil and gas exploration ideas and deployment in the Tarim Basin were not developed smoothly. In this paper, regional seismic interpretation and structural analysis were carried out on the deep marine carbonate rocks in this basin based on the new seismic and drilling data. Then combined with the structural denudation results, the paleo-structural frameworks were reconstructed. And finally, the formation stage and main controlling factors of paleo-uplifts were discussed. It is shown that the Middle Ordovician is the key period when regional extension was converted to compression in this basin, so stratigraphic, sedimentary and structural differences occurred. Before the deposition of Yijianfang Fm in late Middle Ordovician, three carbonate paleo-uplifts (i.e., the Northern, Central and SW Tarim paleo-uplifts) begun to appear, and they were all broad-folded paleo-uplifts of nearly E–W striking and were formed at the same stage. The distribution and development of the Phanerozoic uplifts in this basin are restricted by the Northern and Southern Tarim basement pale-uplifts of nearly E–W striking which were developed during the Precambrian. It is indicated that all the three paleo-uplifts are compressional paleo-uplifts originated from the convergence of the southern plate margin based on the basement paleo-uplifts and they are all characterized by similar structural characteristics and inherited formation and evolution. The current differences of paleo-uplifts are controlled by multi-stage intense structural reformation since the Silurian. It is concluded that the oil and gas exploration potential is immense in the carbonate reservoirs of well-preserved deep paleo-structural zones in a larger area.