Distribution of Carboniferous source rocks and petroleum systems in the Junggar Basin

Abstract With pre-Cambrian continental nuclei and Early Paleozoic accretionary folded belts as the collaged basement, the Junggar Basin underwent an evolution of intra-cratonic basin after the transitional period of Carboniferous to Permian. The Carboniferous Period was a critical phase for the cratonization of Junggar Terrane, with two continental passive margins developed on both the southern and northern margins, and with rifts and upswells in the basin interior. The rifts were full-filled with volcanic clastic rocks up to 2 000 to 5 000 m in thickness. Influenced by the marine transgression, the regional extended source-rocks of the Lower Carboniferous Dishuiquan Formation(C1d) and the Upper Carboniferous Batamayneishan Formation(C2b) occurred within or around the basin, with the former one as oil and gas source rocks, while the latter one as effective gas source rocks. Volcanic rocks in the Batamayneishan Formation are the main reservoirs. Two petroleum systems were formed: C 1 d-C (.) and C 2 b-C 2 b (!). The tectonic events in the Late Jurassic and Neogene gave rise to the formation, modification, and finalizing of the Carboniferous prospects. The difference between the evolutionary process of each structural unit resulted in the differentiation of the petroleum systems horizontally. A series of oil and gas fields have been discovered in Carboniferous, such as the Wucaiwan, Shixi, Kelameili, and Chepaizi oil and gas fields as well as the oil-bearing Block-2, 4, and 6 in the Karamay Oilfield. The exploration has proven that the Carboniferous has great potential for oil and gas discovery.