塔河地区志留纪层序地层划分及沉积相分析

塔河地区志留系缺失中、上统,只保留了下统柯坪塔格组及塔塔埃尔塔格组,发育滨海-浅海碎屑岩沉积,包括潮坪、陆棚等沉积亚相和中潮坪（混合坪）、低潮坪（砂坪）、陆棚泥等3个微相.该地区志留系分为3个三级层序,其中柯坪塔格组包括了SQ1、SQ2,塔塔埃尔塔格组为SQ3.构造运动和海平面升降是塔河地区志留系三级层序及其内部体系域形成的主要控制因素.     

塔里木盆地塔中-塔北志留系层序地层

随着近年来塔里木盆地勘探开发的逐步深入,志留系地层已经成为众多学者的研究热点。本文应用层序地层研究方法,利用钻井、测井、地震及实验分析资料,通过对岩石地层、测井地层、生物地层、地震地层等资料的综合分析,将塔里木盆地志留系地层划分为3个三级层序,SQ1对应柯坪塔格组下段,SQ2对应柯坪塔格组中上段,SQ3对应塔塔埃尔塔格组。每个层序由海侵体系域和高位体系域组成,不发育低位体系域。对层序格架内的沉积类型和沉积相展布进行分析,认为主要发育扇三角洲相-有障壁潮坪相-浅海相。     

塔里木盆地顺托果勒地区柯坪塔格组下段勘探新发现及其启示

依据钻井及地震资料综合解释,奥陶纪末期由于海平面下降,其顶面遭受侵蚀下切,形成一个大型东西向的侵蚀谷.谷底多处零星分布了一套30m左右的玄武岩、凝灰岩.后期该侵蚀谷被志留系下统柯坪塔格组下段填平补齐.柯坪塔格组下段主要分布在塔中Ⅰ号断裂带以北和塔北隆起之间,东西向展布,最大厚度约1000m,据其厚度和在古沉积斜坡的超覆特征,可分为北部缓坡带、中央深陷带和南部陡坡带三个古构造单元.柯坪塔格组下段早—中期物源受侵蚀谷充填控制主要来自塔东地区,晚期物源则主要来自塔北地区,Ⅰ号断裂以南的塔中隆起没有提供物源.柯坪塔格组下段经历了从半深海泥到潮控三角洲的过渡型沉积环境,发育三角洲储层和低幅度构造,形成了良好的油气成藏区域.     

满加尔凹陷南缘志留系柯坪塔格组上段不同体系域内辫状三角洲砂体与储集性研究

通过详细的岩心描述、测井相研究与近3000km地震剖面的精细解释,认为满加尔凹陷南缘在志留纪早期为缓坡大陆边缘,在满参2井与塔中32井、满南1井间的志留系柯坪塔格组上段底部识别出几近与志留系尖灭线平行的地层超覆线,此地层超覆线认为是满南地区志留系柯坪塔格组上段层序1中的初次海侵时期的海岸线。在此认识的基础上,结合钻井层序界面的有效识别,将塔中32井、塔中34井、满参2井与满南1井区志留系柯坪塔格组上段划分为2个三级层序,此2个层序中均有辫状三角洲砂体沉积,但“不同体系域同相砂体”的储集性具有不同特征,其主要影响因素是碎屑颗粒的粒径与分选、胶结物类型与含量、储集体经历不同的埋藏特征。位于斜坡低部位的满参2井区在层序1低位域内发育早期辫状三角洲前缘砂体沉积,主要储集砂体为前缘水下分流河道砂体,颗粒较细且成分成熟度较低。由于储集体埋深达5000m左右,且方解石胶结物含量高,致使储集性相对较差。而位于隆起区的塔中32井与34井区的主要储集体为层序1中海侵体系域内退积型辫状三角洲前缘水下分流河道砂体,颗粒相对较粗,成分成熟度较高,且埋深相对较浅,胶结物含量较低,其孔渗特征明显好于低位域早期辫状三角洲前缘砂体。     

塔里木盆地下志留统柯坪塔格组沉积和层序地层特征——以柯坪县阿恰剖面为例

基于不同的研究位置或区域,目前,塔里木盆地志留系柯坪塔格组三级层序划分方案不一,这制约了对该段地层区域构造－沉积演化及油气勘探方向的认识。本文结合露头、公开的钻井、地震及已有的研究成果,对柯坪阿恰地区的柯坪塔格组露头剖面沉积与层序特征进行了系统分析,认为：① 阿瓦提凹陷西缘阿恰地区柯坪塔格组以混合水动力控制下的三角洲沉积体系为主,自下而上,下段为由粗至细再到粗的沉积旋回,中段与上段整体构成向上变粗的沉积旋回;② 柯坪塔格组顶、底及内部的不整合面可将其分为2个三级层序,其下段构成第一个三级层序（SQ1）,中段和上段构成第二个三级层序（SQ2）;SQ1中低位体系域（LST）、海侵体系域（TST）及高位体系域（HST）均发育,SQ2中只发育TST和HST;③ 柯坪塔格组中段与下段的界线对应于晚奥陶世赫南特期全球冰期海平面下降所形成的不整合;④ 水动力条件不同,导致LST中以河流作用为主,HST中波浪与潮汐作用大于河流作用;⑤ SQ2中的TST为区域性的优质盖层,与SQ1中的HST可构成良好的盖、储组合,故SQ1中的HST可作为该套地层中的首要勘探目标。     

塔里木盆地北部三叠系“二元”层序结构特征及演化模式

综合运用露头、测井、岩芯等资料,对塔里木盆地北部库车坳陷库车河野外露头及塔北隆起区三叠系层序结构特征进行了分析。各层序低位体系域,主要是冲积扇、辫状河、辫状河三角洲等粗粒沉积体,层序上部多为湖相泥岩,统称为湖侵-高位体系域,单个层序均具有“下粗上细”的“二元”结构特征。塔北三叠系特殊的层序结构,主要是与三叠纪塔里木盆地的幕式挤压活动有关。挤压初期,物源近且供给充分,可容空间增加缓慢,主要为低位体系域的粗碎屑沉积;随着挤压作用持续增强,湖盆逐渐加深,细粒沉积物为主体的湖侵体系域沉积;最终盆地基底破裂时,湖平面快速下降,高位体系域不甚发育,多为湖相细粒沉积物。据此提出塔北三叠系层序发育模式,认为在构造挤压期,沉积扇三角洲、辫状河三角洲等粗粒低位域沉积;而在构造持续期和卸载期,层序上部发育细粒深湖-半深湖湖侵-高位体系域沉积。由于层序特殊的“二元结构”特征,纵向上构成了较好的生储盖组合。因此,除了构造油气藏外,塔北地区各层序低位体系域的岩性油气藏及岩性-构造油气藏是重要的勘探目标。     

塔里木盆地塔中地区志留系柯坪塔格组沉积相与沉积模式

塔中地区志留系自下而上包括柯坪塔格组(下沥青砂岩段、灰色泥岩段、上沥青砂岩段)、塔塔埃尔塔格组（红色泥岩段和砂泥岩段）、依木干他乌组。通过对塔中地区志留系钻井岩心观察和盆地西北部阿克苏、柯坪、巴楚等地露头剖面的观察,塔中地区志留系下沥青砂岩段岩石类型主要为绿灰色泥岩、粉砂质泥岩、泥质粉砂岩、粉砂岩、极细砂岩和细砂岩,部分井发育中细砂岩和中砂岩,砂岩层中常见大量撕裂状泥砾和黄铁矿,发育水平纹理、平行层理、低角度交错层理和楔状交错层理,在露头剖面中可见槽状交错层理。发育的主要沉积相类型为前滨-临滨、浅海陆棚、受风暴影响的浅海砂坝或潮汐砂脊等。在部分井的志留系底部还可见砂砾岩沉积,砾石磨圆较好,砾石成分为石英岩、燧石、泥砾、砂岩砾及其它变质岩砾,向上过渡为中粗砂岩和中细砂岩,发育板状和槽状交错层理,具向上变细的粒序结构,具河流相沉积特征,如塔中30、塔中161井的志留系底部。总体认为塔中地区志留系柯坪塔格组下沥青砂岩段为无障壁滨线-陆棚为主的沉积体系,具有海侵背景下受风暴控制的滨线－陆棚沉积模式, 随海侵发展形成宽度几十公里以上的滨线－陆棚砂岩沉积体,垂向上为滨岸砂到陆棚砂的演化序列。上沥青砂岩段以潮坪沉积为主,并有部分前滨和临滨沉积,横向相变,垂向交互叠置,在砂体发育程度和规模上较下沥青砂岩段差。根据岩心物性和测井物性分析,浅海陆棚沙坝和滨岸沙坝砂岩储集性好于潮坪相砂岩。     

塔北古生界滨岸相混控碎屑岩体系沉积学和沉积模式

滨岸相混控碎屑岩沉积体系是指发育在滨岸带，受河流、波浪和潮汐混合水动力作用产生的复合碎屑岩沉积体系。受区域构造、物源、古地貌、海平面变化和滨岸水动力控制，塔里木盆地沙雅隆起区在志留纪—泥盆纪—石炭纪时期发育了辫状河三角洲、潮汐和波浪作用相互交替的滨岸相碎屑岩复合沉积体系。本文基于野外露头、钻井和测井等资料，开展了沙雅隆起区志留系—石炭系沉积层序、沉积相和沉积模式的综合研究，建立复合沉积体系的沉积学模式，包括：① 志留系—泥盆系的浪控- 潮控海湾沉积体系；② 下石炭统巴楚组的台地- 蒸发潟湖- 潮坪沉积体系；③ 下石炭统卡拉沙依组的河控- 浪控- 潮控三角洲沉积体系。下志留统柯坪塔格组滨岸滩坝和潮坪砂体、上泥盆统东河塘组冲积平原、海湾滩坝砂体和下石炭统卡拉沙依组辫状河三角洲砂体在塔北地区大面积分布，其冲积平原、三角洲前缘、水下分流河道砂体被后期潮汐和波浪作用改造后，形成潮汐水道砂体、河口坝砂体和滨岸滩坝砂体，物性条件明显改善，有利于形成优质储层区带。目前，滨岸混合水动力碎屑岩沉积体系已获得重大油气勘探突破，其沉积学模式可为塔北地区古生界碎屑岩油气勘探提供理论基础。     

塔里木盆地下志留统柯坪塔格组沉积和层序地层特征——以柯坪县阿恰剖面为例

基于不同的研究位置或区域,目前,塔里木盆地志留系柯坪塔格组三级层序划分方案不一,这制约了对该段地层区域构造—沉积演化及油气勘探方向的认识。笔者等结合露头、公开的钻井、地震及已有的研究成果,对柯坪阿恰地区的柯坪塔格组露头剖面沉积与层序特征进行了系统分析,认为：①阿瓦提凹陷西缘阿恰地区柯坪塔格组以混合水动力控制下的三角洲沉积体系为主,自下而上,下段为由粗至细再到粗的沉积旋回,中段与上段整体构成向上变粗的沉积旋回;②柯坪塔格组顶、底及内部的不整合面可将其分为2个三级层序,其下段构成第一个三级层序（SQ1）,中段和上段构成第二个三级层序（SQ2）;SQ1中低位体系域（LST）、海侵体系域（TST）及高位体系域（HST）均发育,SQ2中只发育TST和HST;③柯坪塔格组中段与下段的界线对应于晚奥陶世赫南特期全球冰期海平面下降所形成的不整合;④水动力条件不同,导致LST中以河流作用为主,HST中波浪与潮汐作用大于河流作用;⑤SQ2中的TST为区域性的优质盖层,与SQ1中的HST可构成良好的盖、储组合,故SQ1中的HST可作为该套地层中的首要勘探目标。     

北塔里木地区下寒武统肖尔布拉克组层序地层发育特征及其影响因素探讨

塔里木盆地下古生界碳酸盐岩是深层油气勘探的重点领域。利用野外露头、钻测井、地球化学及地震资料,对北塔里木地区肖尔布拉克组碳酸盐缓坡沉积进行了层序特征分析,探讨储层分布规律及层序发育影响因素。结果表明：北塔里木肖尔布拉克组可划分为2个三级层序(SQ1,SQ2),2个层序均发育海侵体系域及高位体系域,低位体系域不发育,海侵体系域远薄于高位体系域。每个层序内由巴楚-塔中向塔北依次发育内缓坡-中缓坡-外缓坡沉积,海侵期内-中缓坡发育藻席、潮坪沉积,外缓坡发育灰泥丘。高位期内缓坡发育潮坪、泻湖及颗粒滩,中缓坡发育微生物丘滩体,外缓坡发育灰泥沉积。据此建立了北塔里木肖尔布拉克组碳酸盐缓坡层序发育模式。有利储集体主要发育在海侵期内-中缓坡藻席,高位期内缓坡颗粒滩及中缓坡微生物丘-滩体中,高位期海平面持续下降使内-中缓坡浅水区潮坪相白云岩受大气淡水溶蚀作用,可形成溶蚀孔洞型储层。层序发育受古构造、古地貌、海平面变化、古纬度及古气候共同影响。     

湘西地区志留纪沉积体系及典型前陆盆地的形成模式研究

湘西地区发育志留系中、下志留统碎屑岩地层,缺失上志留统。经沉积学综合研究,可以划分出滞留盆地、浊积扇、三角洲、潮坪滨岸等沉积体系,从下向上海平面逐渐下降,其物源来自于东南部雪峰隆起。湘西地区志留纪沉积盆地构造演化经历了前陆盆地的形成期、发展期及萎缩期、消亡期几个阶段。其沉积构造演化规律为：前陆盆地初始形成期发育深水滞留盆地沉积体系;前陆盆地发展期发育海相浊积扇沉积体系;前陆盆地萎缩期发育三角洲沉积体系,前陆盆地消亡期发育潮坪沙坝滨岸沉积体系。     

塔里木盆地东河砂岩沉积和储层特征及综合分析

东河砂岩是一套海侵初期的沉积产物，东河砂岩不是一个等时沉积体，相当于晚泥盆世晚期至早石炭世早期沉积，具体沉积时间各地有差异。由于东河砂岩是覆盖广泛的海侵初期沉积，因此具有海侵初期填平补齐的特征，其沉积相决定于海侵的速度、沉积物的供给和海侵前的古地貌。塔北地区受塔北古隆起的阻挡，海水在古隆起周围滞留时间较长，又有较粗粒的物源供给，其沉积产物主要是滨岸海滩沉积；塔中地区由于地形复杂，沉积类型也比较复杂，底部砾岩段有河流相沉积，而块状砂岩段和砂砾岩段有河口湾和滨岸海滩沉积，不同段在成分、分选性和粒级上有较大的差异；而其它低平地区主要是海侵期快速的滨岸和陆架沉积。受沉积因素影响，东河砂岩有效储层的分布具有地域性；除沉积因素外，低的地温梯度和短期的深埋藏是优质储层发育的重要控制因素。     

Sedimentary facies and sequence stratigraphy of the Silurian at Tabei uplift,Tarim Basin,China

Sequence stratigraphy division and comparison of the Silurian in Tarim Basin were a hot research field in oil industry and academia. However, basic geological problems limited the exploration needed for further research. In this paper, 21 lithofacies and 5 facies associations were identified based on the grain size of sediments, sedimentary characteristics, and bioturbation conditions: (1) fluvial-dominate delta front facies association; (2) tidal flat facies association; (3) tidal channel facies association; (4) offshore-transition facies association; (5) shoreface facies association. The seismic, outcrops, and logging data were involved to divide the Silurian (including upper Ordovician Tierekeawati Fm.) at Tabei uplift into five sedimentary sequences. SQ1 (Tierekeawati Fm.) is mainly characterized by tidal flat facies association, while delta front facies association locally develops; SQ2 (the lower Kepingtage Fm.) generally consists of offshore-transition facies association; SQ3 (the upper Kepingtage Fm.) is mainly characterized by shoreface and delta front facies association. For SQ4 (Tataaiertage Fm.), the transgressive system tract (TST) is dominated by shoreface facies association, while the fluvial-dominate delta facies association widely develops in highstand system tract (HST). SQ5 (Yimugantawu Fm.) is mainly characterized by tidal flat facies association. From SQ1 to SQ2, an overall sea level transgressive process is shown, while an overall sea level regressive process is found from SQ2 to SQ5. The results are consistent with the progradation and regression trends of large regions reflected by sequence framework pattern. As to SQ3 sequence, TST and HST sandstones are the main reservoir intervals in the Silurian. Hercynian movement led to the strong uplift and extensive erosion in the Silurian at Tabei and Tazhong uplift, and is favorable to the formation of strata erosion unconformable traps.     

塔里木盆地北部志留系顶面不整合中陆相原油的成藏历史与油气富集机制

塔里木盆地志留系发育厚层沥青砂,显示优越的含油气性.继塔中地区志留系原油勘探取得突破之后,塔北地区志留系砂岩风化壳型储层也发现了工业油藏.根据原油的甾、萜烷和噻吩类生物标记化合物的分布特征,结合原油的物理化学性质以及族组分稳定碳同位素特征分析,明确了塔北西部英买35井区志留系风化壳原油来源于库车凹陷三叠系黄山街组湖相烃源岩,与塔北东部同发育在志留系风化壳剥蚀尖灭线附近的哈得18C井海相原油形成鲜明对比.通过志留系砂岩流体包裹体均一温度测试,结合地层埋藏史研究成果,推断英买35井区志留系砂岩主要成藏时间为距今5 ～ 8Ma的晚喜山期.结合库车凹陷两套陆相烃源岩的生烃演化重构了该区域湖相原油的成藏过程,表明康村组沉积后白垩系卡普沙良群与志留系风化壳是湖相油气向台盆区输导的重要通道,预示着湖相原油运移充注的范围十分广泛.成藏机理分析表明,志留系风化壳的构造幅度和面积控制了油气的充注范围,直接盖层的封盖条件控制了风化壳储层的含油气性.塔北地区东、西部志留系风化壳的暴露时间和地层组合关系的差异,是东部形成海相含油气系统,而西部发育海、陆相油藏垂向上叠置,互不交叉的复式含油气系统的重要原因.     

塔里木盆地塔中、塔北地区志留系古油藏的油气运移

运用含氮化合物咔唑类探讨塔中、塔北地区在第一期成藏时志留系油气藏的烃类的运移方向, 为建立古油藏成藏模式, 预测原生油气藏分布提供依据.研究表明, 塔中志留系古油藏的油气主要来源于满加尔凹陷的中、下寒武统烃源岩, 向西南—南的方向首先进入塔中志留系, 然后沿不整合面或顺储层从北西向南东和从北东向南西2个方向向志留系在塔中地区的尖灭线附近运移.塔北志留系古油藏的油气也主要来自满加尔凹陷的中、下寒武统烃源岩, 首先向北西方向进入塔北隆起的志留系, 然后在志留系储层内或不整合面沿上倾方向继续向北西方向运移进入圈闭.      

渤海湾西岸现代岸线钻孔记录的全新世沉积环境与相对海面变化

以渤海湾西岸现代岸线附近的NP3、CH110和BT113三个钻孔全新世岩心为研究对象,采用沉积岩石学、AMS ¹⁴C(accelerator mass spectrometry ¹⁴C,加速器质谱¹⁴C)测年、微体生物聚类分析等方法精细判别沉积相,重建渤海湾西岸全新世沉积演化历史,并利用微体生物组合分带对水深变化的指示,定量讨论全新世相对海面变化。结果表明:渤海湾西岸全新世受海陆交互作用影响,经历了沼泽-潮滩-浅海-前三角洲-三角洲前缘-三角洲平原环境的演化过程。全新世初始阶段,研究区中部和北部发育沼泽环境,南部未见沉积,与上更新统河流相沉积呈不整合接触。全新世早期,研究区潮滩环境发育。潮滩层厚度约1 m,历时数百至1千余年。至7000 cal BP前后水深增大,研究区进入浅海环境。约6000 cal BP,沿岸南北两端先后进入三角洲过渡环境,中部三角洲环境约开始于1500 cal BP。渤海湾西岸地区全新世的环境演化同时记录了该地区的相对海面变化:约10000 cal BP前后,渤海湾相对海平面已接近21.3~20.4 m。约8000 cal BP,相对海平面介于18.6~17.0 m。约6000 cal BP时相对海平面低于6.8 m,5000~1000 cal BP,相对海平面高于-2.5 m,1000~800 cal BP,相对海平面介于-1.3~-0.4 m。8000~5000 cal BP时,相对海面上升约15.0 m,上升速率达5 m/1 ka。     

From Flysch to Molasse——Sedimentary and Tectonic Evolution of Late Caledonian-Early Hercynian Foreland Basin in North Qilian Mountains

The Late Caledonian to Early Hercynian North Qilian orogenic belt in northwestern China is an elongate tectonic unit situated between the North China plate in the north and the Qaidam plate in the south. North Qiilan started in the latest Proterozoic to Cambrian as a rift basin an the southern mar-gin of North China, and evolved later to an archipelagic ocean and active continental margin during the Ordovician and a fardand basin from Silurian to the Early and Middle Devonian. The Early Silurian fly-sch and sulmmrine alluvial fan, the Middle to Late Silurian shallow marine to tidal flat deposits and the Early and Middle Devonian terrestrial.molasse are developed along the corridor Nansimn. The shallo-wing-upward succession from subabyssal flysch, shallow marine, tidal flat to terrestrial molasse and its gradually narrowed regional distribution demonstrate that the foreland basin experienced the transition from flysch stake to molasse stake during the Silurian and Devonian time.     

Accumulation and Reformation of Silurian Reservoir in the Northern Tarim Basin

Silurian sandstone in Tarim Basin has good reservoir properties and active oil and gas shows, especially thick widely-distributed bituminous sandstone. Currently, the Silurian was found containing both bitumen and conventional reservoirs, with petroleum originating from terrestrial and marine source rocks. The diversity of their distribution was the result of "three sources, three stages" accumulation and adjustment processes. "Three sources" refers to two sets of marine rocks in Cambrian and Middle-Upper Ordovician, and a set of terrestrial rock formed in Triassic in the Kuqa depression. "Three stages" represents three stages of accumulation, adjustment and reformation occurring in Late Caledonian, Late Hercynian and Late Himalayan, respectively. The study suggests that the Silurian bitumen is remnants of oil generated from Cambrian and Ordovician source rocks and accumulated in the sandstone reservoir during Late Caledonian-Early Hercynian and Late Hercynian stages, and then damaged by the subsequent two stages of tectonic uplift movements in Early Hercynian and Pre-Triassic. The authors presumed that the primary paleo-reservoirs formed during these two stages might be preserved in the Silurian in the southern deep part of the Tabei area. Except for the Yingmaili area where the Triassic terrestrial oil was from the Kuqa Depression during Late Himalayan Stage, all movable oil reservoirs originated from marine sources. They were secondary accumulations from underlying Ordovician after structure reverse during the Yanshan-Himalayan stage. Oil/gas shows mixed-source characteristics, and was mainly from Middle-Upper Ordovician. The complexity and diversity of the Silurian marine primary properties were just defined by these three stages of oil-gas charging and tectonic movements in the Tabei area.     

Quartzite development in early Palaeozoic nearshore marine environments

Quartzites are especially characteristic of Proterozoic and Cambro‐Ordovician shallow marine strata, whereas equivalent age fluvial deposits are commonly arkosic. The absence of land vegetation in the pre‐Silurian influenced weathering processes and styles of fluvial deposition. It may also have had an impact on shallow marine sedimentation. Two field studies from the English Channel region are presented to investigate the processes leading to quartzite formation. On Alderney, nearshore marine and fluvial facies occur interbedded on a metre scale and are interpreted to represent deposition on the lower reaches of an alluvial plain, and in beach and upper shoreface environments. The marine and fluvial sandstones display marked differences in textural and mineralogical maturity, pointing to a process of sediment maturation by the destruction of feldspar and labile grains at the shoreline. At Erquy, fully mature, marine quartzites occur bounded above and below by alluvial deposits via sharp or erosional surfaces, and are interpreted to represent high energy, storm and tidally influenced lower shoreface and inner shelf deposits. A model for quartzite development is proposed where, under a cool climate, frequent storms in un‐vegetated, tectonically rejuvenated uplands provided an abundance of arkosic sand to fluvial basins and clastic shorelines. The model proposes that the marine basins were subject to high wave energies, frequent storm events and tidal currents. These were conditions conducive to transforming arkosic sand to quartz‐rich sand by the attrition of feldspar at the shoreline and in the shallow marine environment. On sediment burial, further feldspar destruction occurred during diagenesis. The proposed model highlights the potential for a step change in sediment maturity to occur at the shoreline in early Palaeozoic depositional systems tracts.     

Allogenic and autogenic controls on facies and stratigraphic architecture of the Lower Jurassic Mashabba Formation,Gebel Al-Maghara,North Sinai,Egypt

The Lower Jurassic Mashabba Formation crops out in the core of the doubly plunging Al-Maghara anticline, North Sinai, Egypt. It represents a marine to terrestrial succession deposited within a rift basin associated with the opening of the Neotethys. Despite being one of the best and the only exposed Lower Jurassic strata in Egypt, its sedimentological and sequence stratigraphic framework has not been addressed yet. The formation is subdivided informally into a lower and upper member with different depositional settings and sequence stratigraphic framework. The sedimentary facies of the lower member include shallow-marine, fluvial, tidal flat and incised valley fill deposits. In contrast, the upper member consists of strata with limited lateral extension including fossiliferous lagoonal limestones alternating with burrowed deltaic sandstones. The lower member contains three incomplete sequences (SQ1-SQ3). The depositional framework shows transgressive middle shoreface to offshore transition deposits sharply overlain by forced regressive upper shoreface sandstones (SQ1), lowstand fluvial to transgressive tidal flat and shallow subtidal sandy limestones (SQ2), and lowstand to transgressive incised valley fills and shallow subtidal sandy limestones (SQ3). In contrast, the upper member consists of eight coarsening-up depositional cycles bounded by marine flooding surfaces. The cycles are classified as carbonate-dominated, siliciclastic-dominated, and mixed siliciclastic-carbonate. The strata record rapid changes in accommodation space. The unpredictable facies stacking pattern, the remarkable rapid facies changes, and chaotic stratigraphic architecture suggest an interplay between allogenic and autogenic processes. Particularly syndepositional tectonic pulses and occasional eustatic sea-level changes controlled the rate and trends of accommodation space, the shoreline morphology, the amount and direction of siliciclastic sediment input and rapid switching and abandonment of delta systems.