Seismic Reflection Research Articles

Offshore Tech Evolves for Deeper Waters, Deeper Reservoirs

_ Since the late 1930s, the offshore industry has moved from installing the first offshore platform in 14 ft of water to the ultradeepwater 20K era. Advances in seismic, drilling, and development technologies all helped move the industry from shallow waters to ultradeepwaters, from lower-pressure reservoirs to high-pressure/high-temperature (HP/HT) reservoirs, and beyond known hydrocarbon areas like the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) into frontier regions, like Guyana. Brent Gros, vice president of Chevron’s GOM business unit, told JPT there is a stark difference between the GOM of today and how it was when he first started working in the area 26 years ago. Now, he said, operating further from land in water depths of 4,000 to 7,000 ft is the norm. “We’re not really taking crew boats to those platforms, given the distance from shore. We operate as well at much higher pressures,” he said. Jayme Meier, ExxonMobil’s vice president of deepwater project delivery, echoed that sentiment. At the dawn of the offshore era, “anything that was in any amount of water was, by definition, deep water, because it was as far as you could go,” she told JPT. “And we are now at the stage where we are routinely doing things that are in 2000 m (6,560 ft) of water or more, and we continue to press boundaries and technical limits to be able to move further out in water depth.” As such, she said, the fundamental definition of deep water has shifted in the past quarter century. Where To Drill? “To find oil and gas resources, we rely on seismic, and we’ve seen huge advancements in seismic over the past 25 years,” Gros said. 3D seismic technology, pioneered half a century ago, sharpened the view into the world’s reservoirs, and new seismic processing methods have helped identify new opportunities. “Now we have ocean-bottom node surveys, which essentially take a lot of the noise out of surveys, allowing us to image deeper with a clearer image. We also have four-dimensional seismic, which helps us understand the performance of reservoirs through time,” he said. “If you compare the seismic capability today to what we had in the past, it’s like seeing the world with a new pair of glasses, and it really helps us understand potential prospects in a more-complex geological setting and pursue those opportunities in deeper water and deeper horizons than we previously would have been able to.” Deepwater Challenges Moving into ever deeper waters requires more tech and more-capable drilling rigs. It also requires precision, Meier noted. “Technology allows us to position a floating rig on the surface of the ocean. It’s got to be able to drill at very precise angles and precise locations, and significant extensions of technology were needed to enable that to happen. We’re at the point now where we’re even doing multizone completions on our wells in deep water,” she said. point now where we’re even doing multizone completions on our wells in deep water,” she said. She called deepwater “by far the most exciting space” to work in. It requires planning and designing for facilities that must withstand intense, harsh, and constantly changing conditions throughout its lifetime.

Clarification of the structure of the Parfenov horizon based on generalization of the results of regional seismic surveys within the Angara–Lena oil and gas region

The results of regional geological exploration at the expense of the federal budget in the territory of the Angara–Lena oil and gas region from 2006 to 2017 are analyzed. Based on a comprehensive interpretation of data from geophysical surveys of wells and seismic surveys, relief maps of the roof of the Chora Formation, thicknesses and sandiness of the Parfenov gas-bearing horizon were updated. Based on the interpretation of a complex of GIS data, seismic exploration and deep drilling, a conclusion was made about the nature of the change in the sand content of the Parfenov gas-bearing horizon.

Time Dependent Spectral Ratio Technique for Micro-seismic Exploration in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Abstract: Since the discovery of the hydrocarbon micro-tremors, there have been numerous efforts to understand the causes of these microseisms related to oil and gas. A spectral ratio (SR) time-dependent equation was derived based on geological principles. The equation showed tremendous success in analyzing multi-layered geological terrain and estimating the spectral ratio in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. This study seeks to develop a reliable model using standard seismic reflection data to analyze microseismic datasets from hydrocarbon reservoirs. Type A-SR acts over a longer duration and can be used to determine hydrocarbon reservoirs. Type B-SR acts in a short time with maximum impact. It can be used to determine gas condensate flow in the hydrocarbon reservoir. It is recommended that this technique be applied in real time to ascertain its accuracy. Keywords: Niger Delta, Microseismic, Amplitude, Special ratio, Geology.

Detachment and Transfer Fault Systems in the Northern South China Sea, Insights Into 3D Tectonic Segmentation of Rifted Margins

AbstractThe 2D rifting modes interpreted in traditional “magma‐poor” and “magma‐rich” margins cannot explain the crustal structure and inferred rifting processes in the northern South China Sea (SCS) rifted margin. The “intermediate‐type” terminology has been therefore applied to the mid‐northern SCS, where a “wide‐rift” model has been widely accepted. However, the tectono‐magmatic processes of the SCS are still debated and at least five contrasting models exist. We present a compilation of 3‐D seismic volumes and regional 2‐D seismic surveys covering the entire Baiyun and Liwan Sub‐basins to investigate their tectonic structure and faulting style in this “wide‐rift” region. We interpret two segments with contrasting tectonic styles separated by a volcanic lineament and steep transfer faults. The Baiyun Sub‐basin was controlled by a landward‐dipping detachment system. The Liwan Sub‐basin, however, was formed by a ∼100 km‐long oceanward‐dipping, concave‐up detachment fault working at a low angle of <10°. The lateral boundaries of the detachment system were mechanically decoupled from surrounding tectonics by a volcanic lineament/transfer zone to the west and a > 190 km‐long N‐S‐trending left‐lateral strike‐slip fault to the east. The planar low‐angle detachment does not resemble classical metamorphic core complex domes interpreted previously. Our results indicate a 60‐80 km‐wavelength segmentation within a single “wide‐rift” system, indicating complex 3D rifting during crustal extension. This study supports that the intermediate SCS margin had a kinematically complex deformation style locally dominated by the interaction between detachment and transfer fault systems that might be yet unrecognized in other margins.

Optimizing Energy-Efficient in VLSI Architecture for FIR Filter in Seismic Signal Processing

This project aims to developing an optimized and energy-efficient VLSI design for FIR filters specifically designed for seismic signal processing. The process begins by converting seismic signal dataset values into binary format, and then, simulating them in MATLAB, and generating a coefficient file. This coefficient file is then analyzed using Verilog HDL code and simulated in the Xilinx Vivado 2022.2 tool to assess key parameters such as area, delay, and power. The suggested architecture lessens the complexity of computing, hardware efficiency compared to traditional FIR filters that utilize the CSE technique. This design employs a critical method known as the CSD-based Matrix-Grouped Common Subexpression Elimination (MCSE) algorithm, which significantly reduces the quantity of logic operators (LOs) and logic depths (LDs). Additionally, the design incorporates a Half-Unit Biased (HUB) rounding technique to minimize the truncation errors and cut-set retiming method to reduce the critical-path delay (CPD). This hardware-efficient FIR filter constructs integrates the CSD-based MCSE algorithm, HUB rounding, and cut-set retiming techniques to offer a reconfigurable FIR filter configuration optimized for hardware efficiency, thereby enhancing the real-time alert seismic signal processing. The implementation of an Artix-7 FPGA board including clock gating techniques to further reduces the power consumption.

Constraints on fracture connectivity from amplitude variations with incidence angle and azimuth analysis

The analysis of seismic reflection amplitude variations with incidence angle and azimuth (AVAz) is a powerful tool for studying and characterizing fractured formations. There is evidence to suggest that wave-induced fluid pressure diffusion (FPD) within connected fractures can significantly affect the AVAz response. This, in turn, indicates that this seismic attribute may contain information on the connectivity degree of the fracture network, which represents a key hydraulic property of fractured formations. The assessment of the sensitivity of seismic reflectivity with respect to fracture connectivity accounting for FPD effects to date is limited to 2D models, which is mainly due to the complexity and the associated computational cost of modeling the effective properties of the corresponding generically anisotropic 3D media. To overcome these issues, we use a numerical upscaling procedure based on Biot’s theory of poroelasticity that allows us to obtain effective anisotropic representations of 3D fractured formations accounting for the FPD effects. Using these effective properties, we then perform a plane-wave analysis to compute the reflection coefficients at the top of the corresponding fractured formation. The results of our numerical analyses extend the previous 2D studies and demonstrate that seismic reflection coefficients are highly sensitive to the degree of connectivity of the fracture networks. The reflectivity responses of formations comprising connected and unconnected fractures indicate pronounced differences not only with respect to incidence angle but also with respect to azimuth. Quite importantly, our results also demonstrate that crossplots of commonly used AVAz coefficients permit us to identify regions with higher or lower fracture connectivity.

Characteristics of the structure and hydrocarbon prospectivity of the deeply buried strata in the eastern Precaspian basin

The article examines the geological structure and oil and gas prospects of the pre-salt complex in the eastern Precaspian Basin (PB). Based on the synthesis and comprehensive analysis of geological exploration (GE) results and the analysis of geological-geochemical criteria for hydrocarbon potential, the oil and gas geological zoning has been updated, and effective directions for GE have been identified. The justification of a new hydrocarbon resources base within the eastern PB margin can be ensured by further investigating of the deeply buried Devonian-Middle Carboniferous horizons in the known petroleum plays, as well as within the less explored Sakmar-Kokpektinsky segment of the Ural fold-and-thrust belt. Within the productive KT-I and KT-II formations, there is an unrealized hydrocarbon potential at depths of 5-6 km. Using the example of the Bozoba West area, the oil and gas prospects of the Visean-Bashkirian and Lower Permian strata are examined, highlighting the significance of faults as elements of the hydrocarbon system. The applied set of 3D seismic survey data and deep drilling allowed for the interpretation of deep seismic sections, up to depths of 7.0-7.5 km. The Middle-Upper Devonian strata are considered prospective but have not been extensively explored by deep drilling. To establish a new hydrocarbon resource base within the eastern Precaspian Basin margin, it is recommended to conduct advanced regional seismic surveys and parametric exploration drilling.

Current condition, geological structure and prospects of oil and gas resources in the Aral sea

The article presents the results of the analysis of the current state of study of the Aral Sea region by geological exploration works, and in more detail – of the Aral Sea aquatory. An attempt has been made to correlate new geological data based on the works of Uzbek geologists and materials of seismic surveys of the Kazakh part of the Aral Sea, since the West Aral oil and gas condensate field has been discovered in the Uzbek part of the Aral Sea water area, the productivity of which is associated with the Middle-Upper Jurassic deposits. Taking into account the history of geological development of the territory and formation of oil and gas bearing zones, it is necessary to carry out geological exploration works in the perspective of the unified model of the Aral Sea basin. On the basis of the discussed model of geological structure the prospects of oil and gas potential of separate structural-tectonic zones were predicted, and a series of recommendations were issued.

The Derim Derim Dolerite, greater McArthur Basin, Australia: Using subsurface data to characterise a mesoproterozoic magma plumbing system

The application of high-resolution seismic reflection data has spurred major advances in knowledge of the emplacement of sub-volcanic mafic magma plumbing systems in sedimentary basins, highlighting the importance of interconnected sheet intrusions in facilitating lateral magma transport, the links between host rock mechanical properties and emplacement processes, and providing insights into how intrusive activity in basins impacts their resource potential. However, most studies have focused on Mesozoic-Cenozoic mafic magma plumbing systems situated along offshore rifted margins characterised by extensive subsurface datasets. The extensive Mesoproterozoic (c. 1300 Ma) Derim Derim Dolerite, which intrude the greater McArthur Basin in northern Australia, provide a unique opportunity to study the emplacement of a Proterozoic magma plumbing system due to its penetration by numerous hydrocarbon and mineral drillholes, in addition to seismic reflection coverage. Understanding the emplacement of this system is important because of its interactions with prospective unconventional shale reservoirs in the Velkerri and Kyalla Formations, which represent one of the world's oldest known petroleum systems. This paper focuses on characterising the intrusion emplacement and magma plumbing system using an array of subsurface data, to constrain the distribution, morphology, and emplacement mechanisms of the Derim Derim Dolerite.The morphology of the large, strata-concordant intrusions encountered at shallow present-day depths (<2 km) in the greater McArthur Basin is indicative of greater original emplacement depths of >3–4 km, suggesting a significant extent of uplift and erosion. Density-derived porosity values for the Velkerri and Kyalla Formations are anomalously low for their present-day depths, corroborating a greater palaeo-depth at time of emplacement. The extent of alteration of the host rock surrounding the Derim Derim Dolerite is highly variable, with a small number of occurrences of graphitisation of the organic matter adjacent to intrusions. However, this appears to be highly localised and the detrimental impact of the Derim Derim Dolerite on potential reservoir and/or source rocks appears generally minimal.

Moho depth model of South America from a machine learning approach

Crustal structure models play an important role in the characterization of seismogenic zones, in the regional delimitation of geological provinces and particularly, in understanding the genesis and evolution of sedimentary basins. Despite the increasing number of new seismic surveys and seismographic networks in South America, crustal thickness measurements are still scarce and irregularly sampled, reducing the resolution of crustal model maps. To overcome these challenges, a novel approach based on machine learning techniques is proposed, in order to explore higher resolution gravity datasets in the interpolation of crustal thickness measurement points obtained from previous seismic/seismological compilations. The algorithm used in this study is based on Gaussian processes prediction methods, which allowed inferring the depth of Moho to South America. The prediction error of the model obtained from the training and testing database was 3.48 km, which is compatible with the uncertainties derived from the H-k stacking analysis. The depth range varied from 69.8 km beneath the Andes to 4.3 km in oceanic regions. The average Moho depth for the South American Platform is 39.1 km, allowing a spatial correlation of deeper and shallower Moho regions with different types of continental basins. Compared to other models, the model resulting from this study presents fine-scale features highlighting the limits of the main tectonic domains and a good agreement with the suture zones. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of applying machine learning tools in crustal-scale imaging using sparse datasets, providing new advances in Moho modeling of the South America, as well as new perspectives on its the history and tectonic evolution.

Deep‐Learning Analysis of Fracture Networks Leading to System‐Size Failure in Rocks

AbstractFracture networks in rocks and other geomaterials form by seismic and aseismic damage processes that could lead to system‐size failure. Here, we use a multi‐view convolutional neural network model to predict the stress proximity to macroscopic failure of experimentally deformed rock samples using two‐dimensional images. Models are trained on time series of fractures observed in rock samples through dynamic in situ synchrotron X‐ray tomography experiments. The results demonstrate that deep learning models outperform traditional estimates based on fracture density, increasing the accuracy of the predictions. Furthermore, the models provide insights into fundamental characteristics of fracture patterns that may provide precursory information on impending material failure. The trained deep learning models estimate the angle of the fracture plane relative to the principal loading direction, which is a key factor contributing to shear failure. The predicted angle of the fracture plane, in the range of 10°–30° with respect to the direction of maximum compressive stress, is consistent with the established failure criteria used in rock mechanics.

Seismic Reflection Imaging Reveals Relict Subduction Zone of the Paleo-Pacific Plate in the Northeastern South China Sea

The South China Sea (SCS) is widely accepted as an active margin that is associated with the subduction of the Paleo-Pacific plate during the Mesozoic. However, the exact location of the subduction or suture zone remains unclear. Understanding the location of the subduction zone is crucial for comprehending the Mesozoic tectonic evolution of the South China Block and the Cenozoic rifting process of the SCS. To clarify the position of the subduction zone and the influences of preexisting structures, we used a multichannel seismic reflection profile to investigate the crustal architecture. The seismic profile reveals a crustal “crocodile” structure that is interpreted as relict subduction in the Chaoshan Depression and a set of south-dipping crust-mantle reflectors related to the initial rifting in the continent–ocean transition (COT) zone. The results indicate that a Mesozoic subduction zone is located at the northeastern margin of the SCS and that preexisting structures (subduction-related structures) facilitated the rifting process. Combined with previous studies on the oceanic plateau collision-accretionary zone of the northern SCS and the Mesozoic accretionary zone in Palawan of the southern SCS, we infer that a section of the suture zone of the Paleo-Pacific plate subduction is preserved at the northeastern SCS margin and that the rifting of the SCS may have initiated at the suture zone.

Forty years: Geometric numerical integration of dynamical systems in China

Kang Feng proposed the symplectic geometric algorithms for Hamiltonian systems at Beijing “International Symposium on Differential Geometry and Differential Equations” in August 1984, opening up a new field of research. Over the past 40 years, geometric numerical integration for dynamical systems has been irreplaceably applied in numerous fields, including celestial mechanics, plasma physics, fluid mechanics, biochemistry, meteorological forecasting, seismic exploration, data science and artificial intelligence. This paper mainly summarizes the achievements of geometric numerical integration for dynamical systems in China over the past 40 years.

A quantitative analysis of acoustic field directionality from a seismic airgun array

Marine seismic reflection surveys generate high amplitude impulsive acoustic events using airgun arrays to study geophysical characteristics of the seabed. These data can be used beyond seismic imaging – modeling short range propagation, considering impacts on marine mammals, extracting seabed properties and their effect on the acoustic field, etc. Knowledge of the source characteristics is necessary to utilize these data and proper modeling of sound propagation from these arrays requires characterization of the array beam pattern. Complex simulations of airgun arrays have been used in the past to model airgun array spectra, but beam patterns have not been thoroughly considered in the literature. Delay-and-sum combinations of these airgun signatures provide a simple beam pattern estimate, but this approach ignores variability in airgun position, timing, amplitude, interactions between airguns, etc. The use of more complex notional airgun signatures can yield more accurate estimates, but these are more challenging to model and still ignores shot-to-shot variability. Experimentally-determined beam patterns are evaluated here and the variability in the results considered, showing both similarities and notable differences from simulated results. The experimental results indicate that the source array depth impacts the ghost-free array beam pattern and that variability between shots is enough to significantly alter beam patterns. Overall, the observations suggest that accurate simulation of array beam patterns may require more complexity than is currently considered and that inclusion of uncertainty due to environmental and airgun shot variability is essential.

21Ne and 10Be dating of folded fluvial terraces: Constraining active deformation of the Guman fold along the foothill of the western Kunlun mountains (Xinjiang, China)

Characterizing the active deformation of the foreland is particularly valuable for understanding the dynamics of regional structural evolution within active contractional orogens. We focus on the Guman fold, one of the most prominent fold-and-thrust belts along the foothill of the Western Kunlun Mountains (Xinjiang, China). The anticline growing above the blind thrust faults progressively deforms river terraces. However, contemporaneous terrace surfaces are buried under young deposits north of the fold. We propose a novel method that extends terrace surfaces above the forelimb of the fold within the extent of deformation determined on the seismic reflection profile, to estimate the sediment thickness after abandonment of the terraces. Furthermore, cosmogenic nuclide (10Be and 21Ne) depth profile dating was used to determine the exposure ages of the two terrace surfaces: 413–673 kyr for T1b and 3.7–5.2 Myr for T3b. Combining the age and deformation amount, the slip rate on the frontal fault ramp within the fold is estimated to be 0.4+0.2/-0.1 mm/yr and 0.17+0.07/-0.03 mm/yr since the abandonment of the T1b and the T3b terrace respectively. These rates represent the recent crustal shortening rate across the Guman fold and likely account for most of the total crustal shortening rate across the Western Kunlun Mountains. However, these rates appear to be notably lower by an order of magnitude compared to the long-term (∼23 Ma) average crustal shortening rate (∼1.1–2.6 mm/yr) in this region. This may indicate a rapid slowing down of the deformation at the scale of the whole Western Kunlun Mountains, possibly related to a regional reorganization.

Crustal extension and necking at central Campos rifted margin: The Marlim Detachment System

Detachment faults play a crucial role in accommodating crustal thinning and controlling basin architecture in extensional tectonic settings. This study focuses on the characterization of extensional structures at the Necking Domain of the central Campos Rifted Margin, southeast Brazil. Based on seismic reflection and magnetic data we interpreted a system of long offset detachment faults, here named as the Marlim Detachment System. This system is characterized by three distinct large-displacement detachment faults which systematically root at subhorizontal intracrustal reflectors, interpreted as middle crust ductile shear zones, indicating a depth-dependent accommodation of extensional strain. The detachment fault systems resulted in highly tilted upper crustal blocks, which lead to intense erosion of the footwall and the pre-salt sequences eastward. The large horizontal displacement of the hanging wall blocks by most of the detachment faults created deep and wide half-grabens resulting in thick syn-rift sedimentary wedges. The basement structural framework seems to reflect a northward strike-rotation from NE-to NS-direction of the fault systems. That rotation promoted the segmentation of the Marlim Detachment System and points out an oblique-slip extensional kinematics during rifting. We propose that the observed tectonic style at the Necking Domain of central Campos is the result of its interaction with the Vitória-Colatina Transfer Zone to the north and the Araruama Transfer Zone to the south, configuring the Marlim area as a structurally transition zone. The tectonostratigraphic analysis suggests a migration of the deformation from continent to ocean from Hauterivian to Aptian, and a polyphase and/or tardi-tectonic deformation of the Necking Domain in the central Campos Rifted Margin.

Identification of major tectonic boundaries in the Garhwal and Kumaon Himalaya, India using shallow seismic surveys

Identification of major tectonic boundaries in the Garhwal and Kumaon Himalaya, India using shallow seismic surveys

Post-glacial stratigraphy and late Holocene record of great Cascadia earthquakes in Ozette Lake, Washington, USA

Ozette Lake is an ~100-m-deep coastal lake located along the outer coast of the Olympic Peninsula (Washington, USA); it is situated above the locked portion of the northern Cascadia megathrust but also relatively isolated from active crustal faults and intraslab earthquakes. Here we present a suite of geophysical and geological evidence for earthquake-triggered mass transport deposits (MTDs) and related turbidite deposition in Ozette Lake since ca. 14 ka. Comprehensive high-resolution bathymetry data, seismic reflection profiles, and sediment cores are used to characterize the post-glacial stratigraphic framework and examine paleoseismic evidence in the lacustrine sediments. Stacked sequences of MTDs along the steep eastern flanks of the lake appear to grade basin-ward from thick, chaotic, blocky masses to thin, parallel-bedded turbidite beds. The discrete turbidite event layers are separated by fine-grained (silt and clay) lake sedimentation. The event layers are observed throughout the lake, but the physical characteristics of the deposits vary considerably depending on proximity to primary depocenters, steep slopes, and subaqueous deltas. A total of 30–34 event deposits are observed in the post-glacial record. Radiometric dating was used to reconstruct a detailed sedimentation history over the last ~5.5 k.y., develop an age model, and estimate the recurrence (365–405 yr) for the most recent 12 event layers. Based on sedimentological characteristics, temporal overlap with other regional paleoseismic chronologies, and recurrence estimates, at least 10 of the dated event layers appear to be sourced from slope failures triggered by intense shaking during megathrust ruptures; the recurrence interval for these 10 events is 440–560 yr. Thus, Ozette Lake contains one of the longest and most robust geological records of repeated shaking along the northern Cascadia subduction zone.

Diagenetic features recorded in sedimentary rocks within a gas chimney: A case study from the Makassar Strait, offshore Indonesia

Methane seeps, prevalent in ocean basins globally, indicate upward methane migration from the subsurface, often evident as gas chimneys in seismic reflection data. The footprint of this methane migration is often indicated by methane-derived authigenic carbonate (MDAC), a product of anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM). Despite extensive research on MDAC from present-day seafloors and outcrops, understanding methane migration footprints from subsurface rock samples remains limited. Therefore, this study aims to investigate methane migration footprints from subsurface rock samples taken from a proven area of gas migration. This study utilized cutting samples from well XS-01 located in the Makassar Strait, offshore Indonesia. The well was drilled through a gas chimney into Oligocene carbonate reservoirs hosting a substantial methane column (102 m). Analysis of 44 cutting samples involved petrographic examination, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) imaging, and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis to discern mineralogical content and diagenetic features signaling the presence of gas. A diagenetic texture called clotted peloidal micrite (CPM) was discovered within foraminifera fossils and around fractures based on petrographic analysis. CPM is a type of MDAC and predominantly occurs in fine-grained, siliciclastic rocks, indicating gas migration. This migration is interpreted to occur: (i) during the early burial stages originating from microbial activity since the Oligocene (biogenic gas); (ii) following matured source rock that reached its peak maturity from the Middle Eocene to the Pliocene (thermogenic gas); or (iii) interference of these two processes. The migration route persists until present day as evidenced by gas chimney and seabed pockmarks identified in seismic reflection data. This study emphasizes the importance of subsurface rock samples, such as cuttings, in uncovering gas migration footprints. Especially, where seismic data is unavailable or could not image fluid flow features. In addition, this study also provides a new perspective on diagenesis along methane migration route, complementing most of the research that is primarily focused on reservoir diagenesis.

Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Igneous Sills in the Central Tarim Basin and Their Geological Implications

Interpretation of the seismic reflection profiles associated with borehole data from the petroleum industry offers a novel way to study sill emplacement in sedimentary basins. This study uses this approach to reveal the intrusive part of the Tarim Large Igneous Province (LIP) within the basin, which has not been systematically reported. A large number of igneous intrusions (sills) are identified in the sedimentary layers of the Central Tarim Basin. The burial depth of the sills is 6–8 km, and they are mainly located within the upper Ordovician strata. According to their seismic facies and drilling data, it is inferred that they are dolerite sills. Based on the uplift of the overlying strata above the intrusions, it is concluded that the sills were mainly formed during the depositional period of the middle Permian Kupukuziman Formation and Kaipailezike Formation (early stage), with a few formed during the depositional period of the upper Permian strata (late stage). It is likely that these two stages of sill intrusion correspond to the main basaltic eruptions within the basin and the mafic dike emplacement in the Bachu area of the Tarim LIP, respectively. The study suggests that that the dolerite sills reported in this study are also an important component of the Permian Tarim LIP.