Sequence development, depositional filling evolution, and prospect forecast in northern Aryskum Depression of South Turgay Basin, Kazakstan

Abstract

Jurassic to Cretaceous clastic rocks of the South Turgay Basin were deposited in the typical Mesozoic rift basin formed during the late Triassic collision between the Kazakstan and Siberia plates. In this study, we used more than 140 wells and 2400 km2 of 3D seismic data in the northern Aryskum Depression to produce a detailed sequence stratigraphic interpretation of the South Turgay Basin. Guided by sequence stratigraphy, sedimentology, and structural geology, lower Jurassic-lower Cretaceous strata of the northern Aryskum Depression in the South Turgay Basin, Kazakhstan were subdivided into 10 third-order sequences based on geological and geophysical data. Combined with tectonic evolution characteristics, sequence developments in the basin can be divided into four stages: early rift stage (SQ1–SQ3), late rift stage (SQ4–SQ6), fault to depression transition stage (SQ7–SQ8), and depression stage (SQ9–SQ10). Through comprehensive analysis of seismic sequence configuration, sequence stacking pattern, and depositional filling characteristics, we established the depositional model of the Aryskum Depression in the South Turgay Basin. It is indicated that there are differences in depositional compositions of sequences formed in different stages. Four stages can be clearly identified: filling stage of fan delta facies–lacustrine facies (Stage I) corresponding to the rapid filling in the early rift stage, filling stage of fan delta facies–lacustrine facies–normal delta facies (Stage II) corresponding to trichotomous characteristics of internal systems tracts in the late rift stage, filling stage of braided river delta facies–normal delta facies–lacustrine facies (Stage III) corresponding to the development of high-stand systems tracts in the fault to depression transition stage, and filling stage of fluvial facies–normal delta facies–lacustrine facies (Stage IV) corresponding to binary characteristics of internal systems tracts in the depression stage. Finally, optimization of favorable exploration strata and prospects in the Aryskum Depression are proposed.