Hydrocarbon Inclusion Characteristics in the Cambrian-Ordovician Carbonates of the TS2 Well: Implication for Deep Hydrocarbon Exploration in the Tahe Oilfield,Tarim Basin,Northwest China

Going deep has been the strategy for the sustainable development of the Tahe Oilfield. Following the TS1 well in block 1, which revealed excellent combinations of hydrocarbon generation, migration and accumulation in the deeper parts of the Tarim Basin, the TS2 well was drilled to learn more about the prospectivity in the deeper parts of the main blocks of the Tahe Oilfield. Seventeen core samples were collected to perform fluid inclusion studies, including petrography, fluorescence microspectrometry, and microthermometry. The results show that the deeper parts of the Tahe Oilfield have a good hydrocarbon potential. The Cambrian source rocks can supply sufficient oil for not only the Cambrian reservoirs, but also for the Lower Ordovician reservoirs. The Cambrian‐Ordovician carbonates reservoirs experienced at least three oil charging events and one late gas charging event. Oil accumulations formed in the early stage of basin evolution were likely destroyed in the late stage with deep burial, tectonic movements, or invasion of hydrothermal fluids. Therefore, the deep hydrocarbon exploration of the Tahe Oilfield, even the whole Tarim Basin, should focus on gas accumulations, although oil accumulations, especially in Cambrian reservoirs, cannot be neglected.