The tectonic evolution and hydrocarbon potential in the boundaries of Vietnam continental shelf

Abstract

Recent survey results indicate the presence of Tertiary sedimentary basins with hydrocarbon potential in the boundaries of Vietnam continental shelf. These basins were perhaps formed in the Early Oligocene on the Mesozoic basement of continental crust and were filled with mainly deltaic clastic sediments. From very early Miocene these basins have linked together and became wider. Sediments of marine and prograding delta facies accumulated and widespreaded on the whole continental shelf. At the Middle Miocene to present-day the opening of the Bien Dong Sea (Vietnam East Sea), the regional tectonic subsidence and the eustatic fluctuation had created sedimentary formations of open and deep marine facies with turbidite shale, platform carbonate including reef build-up. Andesite and basalt extrusion occurred in form of dykes resulting from tectonic inversions in Late Oligocene, in the beginning of Middle Miocene, particularly in Late Miocene-Pliocene. These Tertiary sedimentary basins are expected to have hydrocarbon potential and need to be investigated and explorated adequately. The main risk is the drilling technology, the exploitation in the deep sea and high investment cost.