Structural characteristics and hydrocarbon accumulation in Bashituo area,Tarim Basin

According to well logs, core, seismic and other geological data, the authors studied the tectonic evolution stages, trap formation stages, fault and fracture development in the Bashituo area, and furthermore, analyzed the time of hydrocarbon accumulation, hydrocarbon migration pathways and related controversial issues in the study area. It is believed that the tectonic evolution in the study area can be divided into three stages, namely Late Hercynian, the Early Himalayan and the Late Himalayan. In the Late Hercynian, tectonic movement led to folding and faulting, resulting in the embryonic form of anticlinal traps. In the Early Himalayan, affected by both tectonic movement and transformation, deep faults reactivated and cut through the Lower Tertiary strata. After the Early Himalayan tectonic movement, faulting stopped and no vertical migration pathway was available. Then hydrocarbon migrated laterally along the sand bodies in the Bachu Formation and accumulated in the Carboniferous reservoirs. However, the Carboniferous accumulation was formed late, and the tectonic movement was weak at the Late Himalayan, and faults were underdeveloped, so the reservoirs in the deep Bachu Formation were not disturbed.