断陷湖盆水下扇沉积特征：以南大港断层下降盘典型断块为例

南大港构造带下降盘沙河街组沙三段岩石类型为砾岩、砂岩、粉砂岩及泥岩组合。岩心中发育块状构造、交错层理、变形层理等重力流和牵引流沉积构造,炭屑、植物茎干、同生断层、泥质砂岩团块等现象也常见。粒度概率累计曲线为一段式和二段式,测井曲线可分为箱形、钟形、漏斗形和平直形4类。地震剖面上也可识别出水下扇的反射特征。综合岩性、粒度、电性和地震反射特征,明确了南大港构造带发育水下扇沉积,并可进一步分为内扇主水道、中扇分支水道、中扇水道间、水道前端朵叶体、水下天然堤及决口扇6种微相。自沙河街组沙三段沉积开始,南大港断层活动强烈,在五断块形成了远源水下扇;而在歧南9X1断块发育近源水下扇。两种类型的水下扇在物源、岩性、电性、地震反射特征和形态上都表现出不同特征。近源水下扇以扇形为主,规模小而数量多,以古隆起物源、沉积物粒度粗、电性整体箱形、地震反射杂乱振幅强为特征;远源水下扇以朵叶形为主,规模大而数量少,以三角洲前缘物源、沉积物粒度细、电性整体钟形、地震反射杂乱振幅弱为特征。     

西非被动大陆边缘盆地深水沉积体系特征

深水沉积砂岩储层是近年来全球油气勘探重点领域之一,对于深水沉积模式认识、沉积类型划分、储层分布规律及宏观演化规律能否实现系统深入的认知也成为制约全球油气勘探获得更多突破的关键问题之一。以典型深水沉积广泛发育的西非被动大陆边缘尼日尔三角洲盆地和刚果扇盆地为研究区,以地震资料为主,钻井资料为辅,开展针对性的深水沉积体系层序界面识别,明确研究区层序及体系域划分方案,建立深水沉积层序地层格架;综合2个研究区的深水沉积特征,探索建立了一套西非地区的深水沉积类型的划分方案,将其划分为陆坡峡谷、块体流、水道体、朵叶体、半深海泥5种亚相;将块体流细化为滑移体和滑塌碎屑流2种微相,将水道体进一步划分为高侵蚀充填型水道、低侵蚀过路加积型水道、过路高弯度水道、废弃水道、堤岸-漫溢5种微相,将朵叶体细分为末端朵叶和决口扇朵叶2种微相;同时系统总结解剖了各微相的岩性组合、地震反射及平面发育特征;深入分析了研究区深水沉积体系的宏观演化特征及展布规律,认识到尼日尔三角洲盆地深水沉积体系中水道体和朵叶体均有发育,自下向上,随着相对海平面先下降再上升的过程,早期主要发育朵叶体沉积,晚期则转变为以发育大型浊积水道为主。刚果扇盆地深水沉积则主要为水道体沉积,朵叶体较少发育,早期水道规模小,中期开始发育多支复合水道并呈退积趋势,水道发育程度逐渐降低,至晚期水道能量及侵蚀能力复又转强,甚至形成较大的陆坡峡谷及多支水道体。     

水道加朵体型深水扇形成机制与模式:以白云凹陷荔湾3-1地区珠江组为例

深水扇储层的沉积特征是油气勘探开发中的一个热点问题。通过分析珠江口盆地白云凹陷荔湾3-1地区珠江组深水扇的沉积特征,明确了研究区具备深水扇形成的有利条件,受白云凹陷总体构造沉积背景影响,形成了富砂型的深水扇。本区深水扇是多种流体动力学机制共同作用的结果,碎屑流、浊流及底流相互作用与复合,形成了平面上具水道复合朵体的分布特征。在建立深水扇沉积模式的基础上,提出了水道加朵体型深水扇沉积微相划分方案,研究区储层以重力流水道、天然堤及滑塌朵体为主;而水道逐渐由相对近源的宽浅下切型变为远离物源的窄深型,其深度与天然堤宽度呈正比。     

尼日尔三角洲盆地某油田深水海底扇沉积特征

深水海底扇是深水油气勘探的重要目标,尼日尔三角洲盆地深水区海底扇具备良好的油气成藏条件,深入分析其沉积体系是预测有利储集体发育区带的关键。根据岩心观察、测井解释及地震资料等,对研究区深水海底扇的沉积特征进行了研究。结果表明:重力流沉积是研究区深水海底扇主要沉积物类型,但牵引流沉积也大量存在;研究区主要发育水道和朵叶体2种亚相,空间上可分为限制、半限制及非限制3个沉积区域;高弯度的曲流水道是深水海底扇半限制沉积区域的重要特征,水道的弯度指数分布在1.16~2.85之间,其与水道宽度呈正相关关系;水道向非限制沉积区逐渐演变为席状展布、多层叠置的复杂朵叶体沉积。综合分析表明水道和朵叶体均是有利储层发育的重要位置,古地貌是控制海底扇展布的重要因素。     

歧口凹陷中部古近系沙三一亚段水下扇沉积体系内部构成分析

歧口凹陷中部古近系沙三一亚段是重要的含油层段,其内部发育水下扇沉积体系。本文通过岩心、测井、地震资料及室内分析测试等手段,对研究区水下扇沉积体系进行了精细解剖。研究发现其内部可识别出扇面水道、非限制性朵叶体和开阔湖泊三种成因相组合,其中扇面水道由主干扇面水道和分支扇面水道两种成因相构成,非限制性朵叶体由近端朵叶体和远端朵叶体两种成因相构成。主干扇面水道切割近端朵叶体,将沉积物向盆地内部输送,在坡折带其所携带的沉积物可能在重力作用下发生再次分配,形成新的扇面水道和非限制性朵叶体;分支扇面水道多发育于远端朵叶体上部,被开阔湖泊泥岩所包围。在区域背景及生物相资料分析基础上,指出沙三一亚段歧口凹陷中部处于断陷盆地的裂陷幕,在构造坡折带或陡坡带,由于断层活动等因素影响,在半深湖-深湖背景下形成水下扇沉积体系。歧口凹陷沙三一亚段水下扇沉积体系的研究对于该区有利储集体预测具有重要指导意义。     

水下沉积物重力流与海底扇相模式研究进展

水下沉积物重力流将大量沉积物搬运至海底,形成了地球上最大的沉积体系——海底扇。综合前人研究成果,梳理水下沉积物重力流的基本概念、分类和识别标志,介绍了现代观测的重要结果和海底扇相模式的研究进展。浊流和碎屑流是重力流最主要的两类流体,浊流为逐层沉积,发育正粒序;碎屑流为整体沉积,垂向无序。由浊流转换为碎屑流的重力流称混合流,陆上洪水入海(湖)形成的浊流称异重流。现代观测的结果表明:浊流底部存在高密度层,横向结构并不都是涌浪型,浊流的持续时间可以长达1周。海底扇通常采用组构分析和层级分类进行研究,由水道、天然堤、朵体、远洋—半远洋沉积和块体搬运沉积组成。水道侧向延伸窄,发育侵蚀结构;天然堤由薄层泥—粉砂质浊积岩组成,横向呈楔形变薄;朵体侧向延伸宽,颗粒粒度集中,侵蚀结构较少。水道的层级从低到高依次为水道单元、水道复合体和水道复合体群。朵体的层级从低到高依次为层、朵体元素、朵体和朵体复合体。     

海底扇规模优质储集体的分布模式与成因分析——以上新世—更新世孟加拉扇为例

利用高品质3D地震资料搜索刻画深水水道—朵叶复合体的沉积构成并揭示油气储集体的分布模式对于深水油气勘探具有重要的指导意义。利用PaleoScan全三维智能解释手段和三色(RGB)混相分频技术识别解剖了孟加拉扇上新统—更新统深水水道—天然堤体系6种富砂沉积单元,包括补给水道、分支水道、似点坝、决口扇、漫溢扇和末端朵叶。研究认为:补给水道、决口扇、末端朵叶是潜在的规模且优质深水油气储集体类型;而漫溢扇、分支水道和似点坝分别是潜在的规模非优质、非优质非规模以及优质非规模深水油气储层类型。补给水道主要分布在水道—朵叶复合体的上游和中游;决口扇、漫溢扇、分支水道和似点坝主要发育在水道—朵叶复合体的中游;而分支水道和末端朵叶主要分布在水道—朵叶复合体的下游。漫溢扇向供源水道一侧楔状增厚,形成“砂盖泥”的格局;而决口扇向供源水道一侧楔状减薄直至尖灭形成“泥包砂”的格局,相应形成海底扇岩性圈闭。     

孟加拉湾若开盆地深水沉积体系结构单元类型及演化模式

利用多个地震数据体的地震反射特征,分析了孟加拉湾若开盆地深水沉积体系的不同沉积结构单元类型(峡谷、水道及水道复合体、天然堤—漫溢沉积、朵体以及块体搬运沉积)的典型地震响应特征、及其发育的位置,构建了研究区陆架—陆坡—盆底的沉积结构单元演化模式。研究表明,一个深水沉积体系垂向上自下而上的组合样式为:底部块体搬运沉积及厚层大规模朵体沉积,上覆水道复合体沉积,之后为水道—天然堤复合体沉积、以及一些小规模朵体沉积,顶部为薄层深海泥岩沉积。横向上自陆架向深海盆地的发育模式表现为:陆架/上陆坡峡谷—上陆坡侵蚀型水道—下陆坡侵蚀沉积型水道—沉积型水道—盆地朵体。     

珠江口盆地白云凹陷中新统韩江组中上部层序结构及深水重力流沉积*

基于地震、测井资料的综合分析开展珠江口盆地白云凹陷中中新世韩江组中上部发育的硅质深水沉积的层序地层、沉积构成和古地理环境研究。韩江组中上部发育1个区域性的二级旋回(CSh),通过不整合面及相应的整合面进一步将该复合层序划分为6个三级层序。一系列陆坡峡谷以及侵蚀作用形成的水道是主要层序界面的重要识别标志,斜坡进积楔、扇朵体的底界面,测井曲线突变以及钙质超微化石的相对低值也可以帮助识别层序界面。盆地的不同位置上层序结构有差异,重力流沉积单元也不同。本次研究在斜坡识别出5种深水沉积单元: 浊流水道复合体、斜坡扇、陆坡峡谷、进积楔和半远洋—远洋沉积,在深海盆地识别出扇朵叶体。将浊流水道复合体划分为5种沉积单元: 滞留沉积、水道天然堤、滑塌及碎屑流沉积、侧向增生体和末期充填沉积。在陆坡、陆隆以及深水盆地分别识别出侵蚀水道、侵蚀加积水道和加积水道。     

尼日尔三角洲前缘重力流水道砂体的沉积构成特征

尼日尔三角洲油气资源丰富,是目前尼日利亚主要的油气勘探区。研究区K油田位于尼日尓三角洲前缘深水区,其A油藏储集砂体为重力流水道及其伴生的天然堤和决口扇,其中重力流水道砂体储集物性最好,平均孔隙度可达24.21%,平均渗透率可达1.413μm2。三角洲前缘深水区的重力流水道、天然堤及决口扇分别对应钟型-箱型、指状与漏斗型测井相,其地震几何形态特征和成因标志典型,空间配置关系明确。重力流水道砂体在空间上具有侧向和沿古水流方向迁移特征,使得其平面上呈现出弯曲的条带状;重力流水道复合体由多个正韵律水道砂层叠置而成,水道轴部主要由厚层砂岩夹薄层泥岩组成,水道边缘砂泥互层。地震剖面上,水道下切较深,具有典型冲刷充填几何形态,其内部发育强振幅叠瓦状、波状反射构造;重力流水道两侧的天然堤与决口扇呈楔状或丘状,地貌上略高于重力流水道。上述重力流水道及共生的成因相构成一个内部结构清晰且成因构成单元完整的重力流水道体系,可以作为大陆边缘三角洲前缘深水区油气田勘探和开发研究的典型范例。     

珠江口盆地白云凹陷晚渐新统-早中新统沉积特征及演化规律

以珠江口盆地白云凹陷钻井、测井、地震和古生物资料为基础,结合前人研究成果,系统的分析了白云凹陷晚渐新统到早中新统沉积相发育特征及凹陷沉积充填演化过程。研究结果表明,珠海组下部发育大型陆架边缘三角洲沉积,地震反射特征表明该三角洲发育三期;钻遇水下分支河道、支流间湾、河口坝及远砂坝微相,沉积物以富砂为特征,发育冲刷-充填构造、递变层理及较粗的水平潜穴等多种构造;珠海组上部为浅海相,沉积物以海相砂泥岩互层为主,此时期陆架坡折带位于白云凹陷南坡;珠江组沉积时期,海平面升降旋回频繁,陆架坡折带迁至凹陷北坡。随着古珠江流域扩大,沉积物输入量增加,在珠江组下部发育了深水扇,沉积物以细-粗砂岩为主,夹少量粉砂岩及深海泥岩,发育颗粒流、液化流、浊流及碎屑流等四种主要的重力流,钻遇内扇水道,中扇废弃水道及水道间漫溢沉积,外扇深海泥沉积;珠江组上部为半深海相,沉积物以深海泥岩为主。      

Sequence stratigraphy and Quaternary depositional systems in the Sanhu area of the Qaidam Basin,northwest China

The Qaidam Basin is a Mesozoic–Cenozoic compresso-shearing basin in western China. This basin has been subsiding since the Indosinian orogeny, and the subsidence is a strongly inherited feature in its Quaternary development. Five third-order sequences (SQ1, SQ2, SQ3, SQ4 and SQ5) were recognised using drilling/logging, coring and seismic data analysis. Each sequence was further divided into transgressive systems tract and regressive systems tract based on the maximum flooding surface. A sequence stratigraphic framework was established that revealed the distribution of sedimentary systems. Seven depositional systems, namely, alluvial fan, fan delta, braided-delta, shore lacustrine, shallow lacustrine, semi-deep lacustrine and incised valley depositional system, were identified from 105 well logs and 2?D seismic lines covering 1600?km. The sedimentary system distribution was identified as follows: (1) large-scale alluvial deposit located on the southern slope and adjacent to Kunlun Mountain and Yaber tectonic zone located northeast of the study area; (2) braided-delta deposits southeast of the Sanhu area; (3) widely developed fan-delta sediments on the base of Qigequan Formation in the Yaber tectonic zone; (4) well-deposited shoal lacustrine facies along the depositional strike in the regressive systems tract; (5) widely distributed shallow lacustrine facies; and (6) incised valley with large lateral extension and incision depth as an entity at the front of the Golmud Basin in the Sanhu area. Two different depositional models, namely, east and west models, were built by conducting an integrated analysis of sequence stratigraphy and sedimentary process. In the Sanhu area, the main controlling factors of the sequence architecture and depositional systems associations of the Qigequan Formation are tectonic subsidence and climate change with sediment supply and lake-level fluctuation secondary factors. This case study provides an example of the analyses of sequence stratigraphy and depositional systems in a salinised plateau basin. The approach combines seismic and sedimentary facies analysis to investigate Quaternary deposition and stratigraphy. The low-amplitude tectonic belt on the northern slope and the lithological traps on the southern slope are predicted to be favourable for the lithological gas reservoirs.     

Anatomy, geometry and sequence stratigraphy of basin floor to slope turbidite systems, Tanqua Karoo, South Africa

The Tanqua area of the Karoo basin, South Africa, contains five Permian deep-water turbidite fan systems, almost completely exposed over some 640 km². Reconstruction of the basin-fill and fan distributions indicates a progradational trend in the 450 m+ thick succession, from distal basin floor (fan 1) through basin-floor subenvironments (fans 2, 3 and 4) to a slope setting (fan 5). Fans are up to 65 m thick with gradational to sharp bases and tops. Facies associations include basin plain claystone and distal turbidite siltstone/claystone and a range of fine-grained sandstone associations, including low- and high-density turbidite current deposits and proportionally minor debris/slurry flows. Architectural elements include sheets of amalgamated and layered styles and channels of five types. Each fan is interpreted as a low-frequency lowstand systems tract with the shaly interfan intervals representing transgressive and highstand systems tracts. All fans show complex internal facies distributions but exhibit a high-frequency internal stratigraphy based on fan-wide zones of relative sediment starvation. These zones are interpreted as transgressive and highstand systems tracts of higher order sequences. Sandy packages between these fine-grained intervals are interpreted as high-frequency lowstand systems tracts and exhibit dominantly progradational stacking patterns, resulting in subtle downdip clinoform geometries. Bases of fans and intrafan packages are interpreted as low- and high-frequency sequence boundaries respectively. Facies juxtapositions across these sequence boundaries are variable and may be gradational, sharp or erosive. In all cases, criteria for a basinward shift of facies are met, but there is no standard 'motif' for sequence boundaries in this system. High-frequency sequences represent the dominant mechanism of active fan growth in the Tanqua deep-water system.     

Lateral variation in gravelly sediments and processes in an alluvial fan-fan-delta setting,north of Durgapur

Sedimentological study of the digitated lobes of gravel and associated sediments in the north of Durgapur results in identification of five major facies. Facies analysis indicates the sediments were deposited from an alluvial fan that has prograded in to an inferred shallow body of water. The analysis also suggests debris flow deposits dominate proximal part, modified grain flow and turbidity current the middle part and current generated channel and non-channel deposits in the distal part of the alluvial fan — fan-delta sequence.     

Recent, arctic deltaic sedimentation: Olivier Islands, Mackenzie Delta, North-west Territories, Canada

Despite a low tidal range and relatively low wave conditions, the Mackenzie Delta is not prograding seaward but rather is undergoing transgressive shoreface erosion and drowning of distributary channel mouths. In the Olivier Islands region of the Mackenzie Delta the resultant morphology consists of a network of primary and secondary channels separated by vegetated islands. New ground is formed through channel infilling and landward-directed bar accretion. This sedimentation is characterized by seven sedimentary facies: (1) hard, cohesive silty clay at the base of primary channels which may be related to earlier, offshore deposition; (2) ripple laminated sand beds, believed to be channel-fill deposits; (3) ripple laminated sand and silt, interpreted as flood-stage subaqueous bar deposits; (4) ripple laminated or wavy bedded sand, silt and clay, representing the abandonment phase of channel-fill deposits and lateral subaqueous bar deposition from suspension settling; (5) a well sorted very fine sand bed, presumed to result from a single storm event; (6) parallel or wavy beds of rooted silt, sand and clay, interpreted as lower energy emergent bar deposits; and (7) parallel or wavy beds of rooted silt and clay, believed to represent present-day subaerial bar aggradation. The distribution of sedimentary facies can be interpreted in terms of the morphological evolution of the study area. Initial bar deposition of facies 3 and channel deposition of facies 2 was followed by lateral and upstream bar sedimentation of facies 3 and 4 which culminated with the deposition of the storm bed of facies 5. Facies 6 and 7 signify bar stabilization and abandonment. Patterned ground formed by thermal contraction and preserved in sediments as small, v-shaped sand wedges provides the most direct sedimentological indicator of the arctic climate. However, winter ice and permafrost also govern the stratigraphic development of interchannel and channel-mouth deposits. Ice cover confines flow at primary channel mouths, promoting the bypassing of sediments across the delta front during peak discharge in the spring. Permafrost minimizes consolidation subsidence and accommodation in the nearshore, further enhancing sediment bypass. Storms limit the seaward extent of bar development and promote a distinctive pattern of upstream and lateral island growth. The effects of these controls are reflected in the vertical distribution of facies in the Olivier Islands. The sedimentary succession differs markedly from that of a low-latitude delta.     

南海北部白云凹陷早中新世东部沉积体系研究

基于白云凹陷东部钻井、岩芯和地震资料,通过地震属性分析、地震相分析及钻井岩芯分析,证实了白云凹陷在23.8~21 Ma之间除存在北部物源外还存在来自东沙隆起的东部物源体系,从而扩大了白云凹陷深水碎屑岩沉积研究领域。通过层序地层学研究和沉积相分析,建立了东部沉积体系沉积及演化模式:该体系在低位域形成海底扇沉积;水进域形成碳酸盐岩和硅质碎屑岩混合沉积;高位体系域主要发育高位三角洲沉积,其主要受相对海平面变化及物源供给控制。     

坦桑尼亚盆地渐新统深水重力流沉积特征及控制因素*

近年来,在东非坦桑尼亚盆地深水区相继发现大型气藏,但其沉积特征、形成机理及主控因素研究较为薄弱。综合利用钻井、测井及二维地震资料,对其沉积特征进行分析,发现研究区渐新统发育深水重力流沉积,包括水道、堤岸、朵叶等,并以水道—朵叶沉积为主。根据水道的发育位置、外部形态、内部构型、沉积方式等,将其进一步分为复合型、侧向迁移型、垂向加积型和孤立型水道。研究区渐新统自南向北重力流沉积特征存在差异: 盆地南部以小规模孤立型水道、朵叶沉积为主,呈近SW-NE向展布;盆地中部以复合型、垂向加积型、侧向迁移型水道、朵叶沉积为主,整体呈NW-SE向展布;盆地北部以侧向迁移型水道、堤岸及朵叶沉积为主,展布方向与中部基本一致。针对南北差异,以源-汇系统耦合关系研究为主旨,对盆地各部源-汇系统要素进行对比分析,结果表明,研究区深水重力流沉积体系的发育与展布主要受构造运动(构造抬升、洋中脊扩张运动、断层活动)、供源体系、陆架—陆坡地形3大因素共同控制。     

松辽盆地肇州区块沙河子组层序格架特征及其对沉积和烃源岩的控制作用

以Vail经典层序地层学理论为指导,综合利用钻井岩心、地震、测井及地化分析测试等资料,通过地震反射特征分析、小波变换法、声波时差曲线和电阻率曲线交汇图法多种方法,将松辽盆地肇州地区下白垩统沙河子组整体划分为1个二级层序和由下至上的SQ1SQ4 4个三级层序。其中:这4个三级层序均具有二分结构,发育湖侵和湖退两个体系域;顶部的SQ4遭受严重剥蚀,在盆缘地带仅残留湖侵域。在层序地层单元划分和对比的基础上,结合研究区构造活动背景、物源供给情况等因素,认为研究区沙河子组主要发育西部扇三角洲、东部辫状河三角洲和湖泊相3种沉积相类型,而沉积体系演化主要受控于层序格架发育情况,表现为"格架控砂、继承演化、分源沉积、连片发育"的特征。在底部SQ1和顶部SQ4发育时期,盆小而水浅,西部扇三角洲和东部辫状河三角洲展布范围较小,扇体多呈朵叶体状分布,此时,泥岩含量低且有机质丰度差,优质烃源岩基本不发育;在SQ2和SQ3发育时期,湖盆持续水进造成盆阔而水深的沉积背景,加之物源供应充足,形成了扇体连片发育的特征,其中,水下分流河道作为前缘亚相中的主力砂体存在,而湖相暗色泥岩厚度大、品质好且有机质丰度高,在SQ2和SQ3最大湖泛面附近发育两套最优质的烃源岩。     

Stratal composition and stratigraphic organization of stratal elements in an ancient deep‐marine basin‐floor succession,Neoproterozoic Windermere Supergroup,British Columbia,Canada

Despite a globally growing seismic and outcrop analogue data set, the detailed (centimetre to decametre) internal stratal make up of deep‐marine basin‐floor ‘channelized‐lobe’ strata remain poorly known. An ancient analogue for modern, mixed‐sediment, passive margin, deep‐marine basin‐floor fans is the well‐preserved Neoproterozoic Upper and Middle Kaza groups in the southern Canadian Cordillera. This succession is a few kilometres thick and comprises six sedimentary facies representing deposition from different kinds of sediment‐gravity flows. Representative lateral and vertical assemblages of one or more of these facies comprise six stratal elements, including: isolated scours, avulsion splays, feeder channels, distributary channels, terminal splays, and distal and off‐axis fine‐grained turbidite units. The internal characteristics of the various stratal elements do not differ from more distal to more proximal settings, but the relative abundance of the various stratal elements does. The difference in relative abundance of stratal elements in the kilometre‐scale stratigraphy of the Kaza Group results in a systematic upward change in architecture. The systematic arrangement of the stratal elements within the interpreted larger bodies, or lobes, and then lobes within the basin‐floor fan, suggests a hierarchical organization. In this article a hierarchy is proposed that is based on avulsion but, also importantly, the location of avulsion. The proposed avulsion‐based hierarchical scheme will be a useful tool to bridge the scalar gap between outcrop and seismic studies by providing a single stratigraphic framework and terminology for basin‐floor stratal elements.     

Linked sequence stratigraphy and tectonics in the Sichuan continental foreland basin,Upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation,southwest China

Intracontinental subduction of the South China Block below the North China Block in the Late Triassic resulted in formation of the transpressional Sichuan foreland basin on the South China Block. The Upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation was deposited in this basin and consists of an eastward-tapering wedge of predominantly continental siliciclastic sedimentary rocks that are up to 3.5 km thick in the western foredeep depocenter and thin onto the forebulge and into backbulge depocenters.Five facies associations (A–E) make up the Xujiahe Formation and these are interpreted, respectively, as alluvial fan, transverse and longitudinal braided river, meandering river, overbank or shallow lacustrine, and deltaic deposits. This study establishes a sequence stratigraphic framework for the Xujiahe Formation which is subdivided into four sequences (SQ1, 2, 3 and 4). Sequence boundaries are recognized on the basis of facies-tract dislocations and associated fluvial rejuvenation and incision, and systems tracts are identified based on their constituent facies associations and changes in architectural style and sediment body geometries. Typical sequences consist of early to late transgressive systems tract deposits related to a progressive increase in accommodation and represented by Facies Associations A, B and C that grade upwards into Facies Association D. Regionally extensive and vertically stacked coal seams define maximum accommodation and are overlain by early highstand systems tract deposits represented by Facies Associations D, E and C. Late highstand systems tract deposits are rare because of erosion below sequence boundaries. Sequence development in the Xujiahe Formation is attributed to active and quiescent phases of thrust-loading events and is closely related to the tectonic evolution of the basin. The Sichuan Basin experienced three periods of thrust loading and lithospheric flexure (SQ1, lower SQ2 and SQ3), two periods of stress relaxation and basin widening (upper SQ 2 and SQ3) and one phase of isostatic rebound (SQ4). Paleogeographic reconstruction of the Sichuan Basin in the Late Triassic indicates that the Longmen Mountains to the west, consisting of metamorphic, sedimentary and pre-Neoproterozoic basement granitoid rocks, was the major source of sediment to the foredeep depocenter. Subordinate sediment sources were the Xuefeng Mountains to the east to backbulge depocenters, and the Micang Mountains to the northwest during the late history of the basin. This study has demonstrated the viability of sequence stratigraphic analysis in continental successions in a foreland basin, and the influence of thrust loading on sequence development.