Characteristics of the Middle Jurassic marine source rocks and prediction of favorable source rock kitchens in the Qiangtang Basin of Tibet

We have evaluated the hydrocarbon-bearing potential of Middle Jurassic marine source rocks in the Qiangtang Basin, Tibet, through a comprehensive study of samples from a large number of surface outcrops in different structural units, and from the Qiang-D2 Well in the southern Qiangtang Depression. Data that were acquired, including the depositional environment, thickness of sedimentary units, and organic geochemistry, are used to identify the principal controlling factors and predict the location of favorable hydrocarbon kitchens. The source rocks are mainly platform limestone of the Middle Jurassic Buqu Formation. This formation comprises a suite of intra-platform sag marls, micrites, and black shales that were deposited in a deep-water and restricted depositional environment. The marls form hydrocarbon-rich source rocks with organic matter that is mainly type II and in the mature to highly mature stage. In the Dongco–Hulu Lake and Tupoco–Baitan Lake deep sags, limestone also forms a medium-level source rock. In the Qiangtang Basin, limestone is the favorable source rock kitchen and is more significant in this regard than mudstone. The results provide important constraints on evaluating the hydrocarbon potential of Jurassic marine source rocks and for locating petroleum resources in the Qiangtang Basin.