Meso-Neoproterozoic strata and target source rocks in the North China Craton: A review

Abstract

Along with the breakup of the supercontinent Nuna and Rodinia during the Mesoproterozoic and Neoproterozoic, a series of sedimentary basins formed within or at the periphery of the ancient cratons. Under the regime of breakup of the supercontinent, these basins underwent different evolutionary history hence formed different geological elements constituting the petroleum systems. In this contribution, the distribution and the stratigraphic successions of the Meso-Neoproterozoic basins in the North China Craton (NCC) were examined, as well as the retrospective review for the mechanisms of the basin formation. The synthesized geological and geochronological data support a long-term extensional environment for the basins in the northern NCC. The Mesoproterozoic basins in the Yanshan, western Liaoning (Yan-Liao) and the Zhaertai areas formed at the intracratonic position later than that in the Bayan Obo, which possibly deposited in the continental margin. The further efforts still need to be devoted to decipher the huge controversial around the tectonic nature of the basins in the southern NCC, as well as their stratigraphic correlations with the basins in the north and central. The distribution and organic geochemical characteristics of the Mesoproterozoic source rock were also summarized. Three sets of source rock in the central NCC, namely the Chuanlinggou, Hongshuizhuang and Xiamaling Formations developed favorable geological and geochemical conditions for the generation of the hydrocarbon. While in the south, the Cuizhuang Formation was the only interval feasible for potential source rock. The progress in seismic geophysics and borehole drilling suggested the existence of the Mesoproterozoic beneath deep Ordos Basin. This open a new window for the reconstruction of the Mesoproterozoic paleogeography as well as the evaluation of the source potential of the Mesoproterozoic basins in the North China Craton.