Transpressional structural systems and their petroleum geological significance in southwestern margin of Tarim Basin
Xiang Kui
China University of Petroleum(Beijing), Beijing 102249
Xinjiang Branch of Exploration and Development Co.,Shengli Oilfield Ltd., Dongying 257017,shandong
The Fusha-Qimugen and the Kekeya-Hetiannan transpressional structural systems are developed in the southwestern margin of the Tarim Basin. The former system resulted from the combined effects of the lateral strike-slipping in the northeastern of the Pamir Arch and the asymmetrical thrusting of the west Kunlun orogen toward the Tarim Basin, while the latter was mainly related with the asymmetrical thrusting of the west Kunlun orogen toward the Tarim Basin. These two transpressional structure systems were chiefly formed during the Neogene Himalayan Orogen. Their structure styles are characterized by the strike-slip thrusts and an echeloned faults and folds in a planar view, and by the superposition of the duplex and the back-thrust structures in a cross-section view. Transpression contributes to the improvement of reservoir petrophysics, new traps formation, oil-gas migration, and petroleum accumulation. Therefore the transpressional zones are the favorable structures for petroleum exploration.