Geologists agree that the collision of the Indian and Asian plates caused uplift of the Tibet Plateau. However, controversy still exists regarding the modes and mechanisms of the Tibetan Plateau uplift. Geology has re...Geologists agree that the collision of the Indian and Asian plates caused uplift of the Tibet Plateau. However, controversy still exists regarding the modes and mechanisms of the Tibetan Plateau uplift. Geology has recorded this uplift well in the Qaidam Basin. This paper analyzes the tectonic and sedimentary evolution of the western Qaidam Basin using sub-surface seismic and drill data. The Cenozoic intensity and history of deformation in the Qaidam Basin have been reconstructed based on the tectonic developments, faults growth index, sedimentary facies variations, and the migration of the depositional depressions. The changes in the sedimentary facies show that lakes in the western Qaidam Basin had gone from inflow to still water deposition to withdrawal. Tectonic movements controlled deposition in various depressions, and the depressions gradually shifted southeastward. In addition, the morphology of the surface structures in the western Qaidam Basin shows that the Cenozoic tectonic movements controlled the evolution of the Basin and divided it into （a） the southern fault terrace zone, （b） a central Yingxiongling orogenic belt, and （c） the northern fold-thrust belt; divided by the XI fault （Youshi fault） and Youbei fault, respectively. The field data indicate that the western Qaidam Basin formed in a Cenozoic compressive tectonic environment caused by the India--Asia plate collision. Further, the Basin experienced two phases of intensive tectonic deformation. The first phase occurred during the Middle Eocene--Early Miocene （Xia Ganchaigou Fm. and Shang Ganchaigou Fro., 43.8- 22 Ma）, and peaked in the Early Oligocene （Upper Xia Ganchaigou Fro., 31.5 Ma）. The second phase occurred between the Middle Miocene and the Present （Shang Youshashan Fro. and Qigequan Fro., 14.9-0 Ma）, and was stronger than the first phase. The tectonic--sedimentary evolution and the orienta- tion of surface structures in the western Qaidam Basin resulted from the Tibetan Plateau uplift, and recorded the periodic northward growth of the Plateau. Recognizing this early tectonic--sedimentary evolution supports the previous conclusion that northern Tibet responded to the collision between India and Asia shortly after its initiation. However, the current results reveal that northern Tibet also experi- enced another phase of uplift during the late Neogene. The effects of these two stages of tectonic activity combined to produce the current Tibetan Plateau.展开更多
The Paleogene and Neogene oil and gas in the western Qaidam basin have a regular distribution in three concentric zones from the edge to the center of the basin. Natural gas mainly occurs in the inner zone, and the ga...The Paleogene and Neogene oil and gas in the western Qaidam basin have a regular distribution in three concentric zones from the edge to the center of the basin. Natural gas mainly occurs in the inner zone, and the gas-oil ratio of the northern area of the basin is significantly higher than that of the southern area. Large amounts of carbon isotope data of natural gas, plotted in X- shaped and comprehensive identification diagrams for the southern area and northern area, respectively, were used to identify the types of natural gas. The large-scale distribution of natural gas is highly consistent with the Ro values of major source rocks, but is poorly correlated with the type of organic matter. This indicates that the main controlling factor of natural gas distribution is organic matter maturity, and the kerogen types act as the basis for the formation of different types of natural gas. Paleouplifts and squeezed anticlines near hydrocarbon generation depression centers, which are major natural gas-rich regions, control the migration directions of natural gas, while hydrocarbon migration pathways and fault systems connecting gas sources are the most important factors for natural gas reservoir formation in the inner basin. Therefore, favorable zones for natural gas distribution can be predicted on the basis of the distribution of thermal evolution and the gas generation intensity of major source rocks as well as the structural map. The Shizigou-Youshashan- Yingdong-Dawusi, Youquanzi -Kaitemilike - Youdunzi, and Xiaoliangshan - Nanyishan - Dafengshan structural belts are favorable zones for natural gas accumulation. This study has important theoretical and practical significance for future natural gas exploration.展开更多
The Qaidam Basin in the NE Tibetan Plateau has contributed the largest amount of potash in China.However,how the potash was formed has long been a subject of debate.Here we carried out a deep drilling
Chemistry of major and minor elements,87Sr/86Sr,δD,δ18O and δ34S of brines were measured from Tertiary strata and Quaternary salt lakes in the western Qaidam Basin.The water chemistry data show that all oilfield br...Chemistry of major and minor elements,87Sr/86Sr,δD,δ18O and δ34S of brines were measured from Tertiary strata and Quaternary salt lakes in the western Qaidam Basin.The water chemistry data show that all oilfield brines are CaCl2 type.They were enriched in Ca2+,B3+,Li+,Sr2+,Br-,and were depleted in Mg2+,SO42-,which indicated that these brines had the characteristics of deeply circulated water.The relationship between δD and δ18O shows that all data of these brines decline towards the Global Meteoric Water Line(GWL) and Qaidam Meteoric Water Line(QWL),and that the intersection between oilfield brines and Meteoric Water Lines was close to the local spring and fresh water in the piedmont in the western Qaidam Basin.The results suggest that oilfield brines has initially originated from meteoric water,and then might be affected by water-rock metamorphose,because most oilfield brines distribute in the range of metamorphosing water.The 87Sr/86Sr values of most oilfield brines range from 0.71121 to 0.71194,and was less than that in salt lake water(>0.712),but close to that of halite in the study area.These imply that salt dissolution occurred in the process of migration.In addition,all oilfield brines have obviously much positive δ34S values(ranging from 26.46‰ to 54.57‰) than that of salt lake brines,which was caused by bacterial sulfate reduction resulting in positive shift of δ34S value and depleteed SO42-in oilfield brines.Combined with water chemical data and δD,δ18O,87Sr/86Sr,δ34S values,we concluded that oilfield brines mainly originate from the deeply circulated meteoric waters,and then are affected by salt dissolution,water-rock metamorphose,sulfate reduction and dolomitization during the process of migration.These processes alter the chemical compositions of oilfield brines and accumulate rich elements(such as B,Li,Sr,Br,K and so on) for sustainable utilization of salt lake resources in the Qaidam Basin.展开更多
A particular type of soft-sediment deformation structure, similar to imbricate structure, is developed in the Jurassic strata at Honggouzi, western Qaidam Basin, China. We refer to this structure as a duplex-like defo...A particular type of soft-sediment deformation structure, similar to imbricate structure, is developed in the Jurassic strata at Honggouzi, western Qaidam Basin, China. We refer to this structure as a duplex-like deformation structure, because it is inferred to have been formed by the action of fast-moving, submarine gravity current sediments gliding across a pre-existing semiconsolidated sedimentary layer. The layers of duplex-like structure crop out in the southeastern limb of the core of a medium-sized anticline. The average dip direction of the duplex-like structure is 301.2° and the average dip angle is 54.7°. Duplex-like deformed laminations are composed mainly of weakly metamorphosed, extremely poorly sorted, feldspathic lithic graywacke. Sericite can be observed along bedding planes. The duplex-like structure occurs within a sequence of river-channel fine conglomerate, interchannel carbonaceous mudstone（shale）, shallow-water delta sand-shale, shallow-lake calcareous mudstone, olistostromes, and a turbidite. At the bottom of the sequence, we found brownish-red shallow-lake calcareous mudstone and carbonaceous mudstone and at the top olistostromes whose genesis is related to the slip and drag of a slumped body of submarine sediment. In combination with other symbiotic and associated structures, it is considered that the duplex-like structure was formed by the slumping and subsequent movement and traction of delta-front semiconsolidated sediments over the bottom sediments of a shore or shallow-lake sedimentary environment, probably triggered by an earthquake. The attitude of the duplex-like structure indicates that the direction of gliding was from NW301.2° toward SE121°, which is consistent with the current location of the Altun Mountains, indicating that the Altun Mountains existed in the Jurassic. The orogenesis of these mountains likely involved seismic activity, and an earthquake was the triggering factor in the formation of the duplex-like structure by causing the slumping/gliding of the olistostrome sediments.展开更多
During the Pleistocene, the western Qaidam Basin has largely experienced strong structural reconstruction and strong erosion. First, the eroded thickness of Neogene strata was restored approximately by the stratigraph...During the Pleistocene, the western Qaidam Basin has largely experienced strong structural reconstruction and strong erosion. First, the eroded thickness of Neogene strata was restored approximately by the stratigraphic profile comparison method and plane trend surface restoring method; then, accurate calculation of erosion was recovered using vitrinite reflectance, and the erosion that was restored by the trend surface restoring method was corrected; finally, a distribution map of cumulative erosion was produced. This study marks an important achievement in that one of the most important parameters of basin tectonic evolution, sedimentary evolution, and oil and gas accumulation history has been obtained, and that a basic geological problem has been solved in the Qaidam Basin. The areas with high erosion and low erosion are shown in the map and a close relation between the distribution of oil and gas fields and erosion was recognized. Large and medium oil and gas fields are mainly distributed in areas with medium and low erosion. It is difficult to form large-scale oil and gas accumulation in areas in which erosion is more than 2000 m. The mechanism of the relation between oil and gas distribution and erosion is explained. This study will be of use in predicting the distribution of oil and gas.展开更多
Geophysics offers an important means to investigate the physical processes occurring inside the earth.In particular,since the 1960s,electromagnetic(EM)methods have played important roles in mineral exploration and eng...Geophysics offers an important means to investigate the physical processes occurring inside the earth.In particular,since the 1960s,electromagnetic(EM)methods have played important roles in mineral exploration and engineering investigation.Such investigation requires extensive data acquisition and experimental analysis based on geophysical techniques.However,high-performance geophysical equipment,particularly EM exploration equipment,has been dominated by large geophysical companies from the United States,Canada,Germany,and other European countries for decades.This has limited the development of deep exploration technology in China.Recently,we have developed a high-resolution acquisition system with a wireless control unit and a high-power transmitting system for surface EM prospecting(SEP).The new system has been tested in the high-intensity,noisy environment in Jian-sanjiang area,Heilongjiang Province.We then conducted a field survey on the western edge of Qaidam Basin,Qinghai Province.A highly conductive anomaly was found in the upper mantle below the Qinmantage Mountains,which indicates a possible northward fluid channel that runs from below the Qinmantage Mountains to the bottom of the western crust of the Qaidam Basin.Identification of this significant feature was made possible by the new SEP for its better resolution than the previous systems.Also,geophysical analysis confirmed that the thick Cenozoic sediments of the Qaidam Basin are underlain by rigid Precambrian basement rocks and are characterized by a series of folds.The resistivity profile indicates that the Qaidam Basin was formed due to the folding structures in the northern part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau which provided an additional evidence for the uplifting of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.展开更多
Based on the oil and gas exploration in western depression of the Qaidam Basin,NW China,combined with the geochemical,seismic,logging and drilling data,the basic geological conditions,oil and gas distribution characte...Based on the oil and gas exploration in western depression of the Qaidam Basin,NW China,combined with the geochemical,seismic,logging and drilling data,the basic geological conditions,oil and gas distribution characteristics,reservoir-forming dynamics,and hydrocarbon accumulation model of the Paleogene whole petroleum system(WPS)in the western depression of the Qaidam Basin are systematically studied.A globally unique ultra-thick mountain-style WPS is found in the western depression of the Qaidam Basin.Around the source rocks of the upper member of the Paleogene Lower Ganchaigou Formation,the structural reservoir,lithological reservoir,shale oil and shale gas are laterally distributed in an orderly manner and vertically overlapped from the edge to the central part of the lake basin.The Paleogene WPS in the western depression of the Qaidam Basin is believed unique in three aspects.First,the source rocks with low organic matter abundance are characterized by low carbon and rich hydrogen,showing a strong hydrocarbon generating capacity per unit mass of organic carbon.Second,the saline lake basinal deposits are ultra-thick,with mixed deposits dominating the center of the depression,and strong vertical and lateral heterogeneity of lithofacies and storage spaces.Third,the strong transformation induced by strike-slip compression during the Himalayan resulted in the heterogeneous enrichment of oil and gas in the mountain-style WPS.As a result of the coordinated evolution of source-reservoir-caprock assemblage and conducting system,the Paleogene WPS has the characteristics of“whole process”hydrocarbon generation of source rocks which are low-carbon and hydrogen-rich,“whole depression”ultra-thick reservoir sedimentation,“all direction”hydrocarbon adjustment by strike-slip compressional fault,and“whole succession”distribution of conventional and unconventional oil and gas.Due to the severe Himalayan tectonic movement,the western depression of the Qaidam Basin evolved from depression to uplift.Shale oil is widely distributed in the central lacustrine basin.In the sedimentary system thicker than 2000 m,oil and gas are continuous in the laminated limy-dolomites within the source rocks and the alga limestones neighboring the source kitchen,with intercrystalline pores,lamina fractures in dolomites and fault-dissolution bodies serving as the effective storage space.All these findings are helpful to supplement and expand the WPS theory in the continental lake basins in China,and provide theoretical guidance and technical support for oil and gas exploration in the Qaidam Basin.展开更多
基金co-supposed by the Knowledge Innovation Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.KZCX2-EW-ON112)Open Fund of Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources Research of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.KFJJ2010-07)
文摘Geologists agree that the collision of the Indian and Asian plates caused uplift of the Tibet Plateau. However, controversy still exists regarding the modes and mechanisms of the Tibetan Plateau uplift. Geology has recorded this uplift well in the Qaidam Basin. This paper analyzes the tectonic and sedimentary evolution of the western Qaidam Basin using sub-surface seismic and drill data. The Cenozoic intensity and history of deformation in the Qaidam Basin have been reconstructed based on the tectonic developments, faults growth index, sedimentary facies variations, and the migration of the depositional depressions. The changes in the sedimentary facies show that lakes in the western Qaidam Basin had gone from inflow to still water deposition to withdrawal. Tectonic movements controlled deposition in various depressions, and the depressions gradually shifted southeastward. In addition, the morphology of the surface structures in the western Qaidam Basin shows that the Cenozoic tectonic movements controlled the evolution of the Basin and divided it into （a） the southern fault terrace zone, （b） a central Yingxiongling orogenic belt, and （c） the northern fold-thrust belt; divided by the XI fault （Youshi fault） and Youbei fault, respectively. The field data indicate that the western Qaidam Basin formed in a Cenozoic compressive tectonic environment caused by the India--Asia plate collision. Further, the Basin experienced two phases of intensive tectonic deformation. The first phase occurred during the Middle Eocene--Early Miocene （Xia Ganchaigou Fm. and Shang Ganchaigou Fro., 43.8- 22 Ma）, and peaked in the Early Oligocene （Upper Xia Ganchaigou Fro., 31.5 Ma）. The second phase occurred between the Middle Miocene and the Present （Shang Youshashan Fro. and Qigequan Fro., 14.9-0 Ma）, and was stronger than the first phase. The tectonic--sedimentary evolution and the orienta- tion of surface structures in the western Qaidam Basin resulted from the Tibetan Plateau uplift, and recorded the periodic northward growth of the Plateau. Recognizing this early tectonic--sedimentary evolution supports the previous conclusion that northern Tibet responded to the collision between India and Asia shortly after its initiation. However, the current results reveal that northern Tibet also experi- enced another phase of uplift during the late Neogene. The effects of these two stages of tectonic activity combined to produce the current Tibetan Plateau.
基金supported financially by the National Science and Technology Major Project"Chinese large gasfields’formation conditions,accumulation and objective evaluation"(2011ZX05007)the Major Special Project of Chinese Petroleum Development Technologies"A study on comprehensive supporting technologies for building oil-gas field of ten million tons in Qaidam basin"(2011E-03)
文摘The Paleogene and Neogene oil and gas in the western Qaidam basin have a regular distribution in three concentric zones from the edge to the center of the basin. Natural gas mainly occurs in the inner zone, and the gas-oil ratio of the northern area of the basin is significantly higher than that of the southern area. Large amounts of carbon isotope data of natural gas, plotted in X- shaped and comprehensive identification diagrams for the southern area and northern area, respectively, were used to identify the types of natural gas. The large-scale distribution of natural gas is highly consistent with the Ro values of major source rocks, but is poorly correlated with the type of organic matter. This indicates that the main controlling factor of natural gas distribution is organic matter maturity, and the kerogen types act as the basis for the formation of different types of natural gas. Paleouplifts and squeezed anticlines near hydrocarbon generation depression centers, which are major natural gas-rich regions, control the migration directions of natural gas, while hydrocarbon migration pathways and fault systems connecting gas sources are the most important factors for natural gas reservoir formation in the inner basin. Therefore, favorable zones for natural gas distribution can be predicted on the basis of the distribution of thermal evolution and the gas generation intensity of major source rocks as well as the structural map. The Shizigou-Youshashan- Yingdong-Dawusi, Youquanzi -Kaitemilike - Youdunzi, and Xiaoliangshan - Nanyishan - Dafengshan structural belts are favorable zones for natural gas accumulation. This study has important theoretical and practical significance for future natural gas exploration.
文摘The Qaidam Basin in the NE Tibetan Plateau has contributed the largest amount of potash in China.However,how the potash was formed has long been a subject of debate.Here we carried out a deep drilling
基金supported by CAS Major Basic Preliminary Program (2004CCA03500)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 40603007)
文摘Chemistry of major and minor elements,87Sr/86Sr,δD,δ18O and δ34S of brines were measured from Tertiary strata and Quaternary salt lakes in the western Qaidam Basin.The water chemistry data show that all oilfield brines are CaCl2 type.They were enriched in Ca2+,B3+,Li+,Sr2+,Br-,and were depleted in Mg2+,SO42-,which indicated that these brines had the characteristics of deeply circulated water.The relationship between δD and δ18O shows that all data of these brines decline towards the Global Meteoric Water Line(GWL) and Qaidam Meteoric Water Line(QWL),and that the intersection between oilfield brines and Meteoric Water Lines was close to the local spring and fresh water in the piedmont in the western Qaidam Basin.The results suggest that oilfield brines has initially originated from meteoric water,and then might be affected by water-rock metamorphose,because most oilfield brines distribute in the range of metamorphosing water.The 87Sr/86Sr values of most oilfield brines range from 0.71121 to 0.71194,and was less than that in salt lake water(>0.712),but close to that of halite in the study area.These imply that salt dissolution occurred in the process of migration.In addition,all oilfield brines have obviously much positive δ34S values(ranging from 26.46‰ to 54.57‰) than that of salt lake brines,which was caused by bacterial sulfate reduction resulting in positive shift of δ34S value and depleteed SO42-in oilfield brines.Combined with water chemical data and δD,δ18O,87Sr/86Sr,δ34S values,we concluded that oilfield brines mainly originate from the deeply circulated meteoric waters,and then are affected by salt dissolution,water-rock metamorphose,sulfate reduction and dolomitization during the process of migration.These processes alter the chemical compositions of oilfield brines and accumulate rich elements(such as B,Li,Sr,Br,K and so on) for sustainable utilization of salt lake resources in the Qaidam Basin.
基金financially supported this research National Natural Science Foudation of China (No. 41172093)
文摘A particular type of soft-sediment deformation structure, similar to imbricate structure, is developed in the Jurassic strata at Honggouzi, western Qaidam Basin, China. We refer to this structure as a duplex-like deformation structure, because it is inferred to have been formed by the action of fast-moving, submarine gravity current sediments gliding across a pre-existing semiconsolidated sedimentary layer. The layers of duplex-like structure crop out in the southeastern limb of the core of a medium-sized anticline. The average dip direction of the duplex-like structure is 301.2° and the average dip angle is 54.7°. Duplex-like deformed laminations are composed mainly of weakly metamorphosed, extremely poorly sorted, feldspathic lithic graywacke. Sericite can be observed along bedding planes. The duplex-like structure occurs within a sequence of river-channel fine conglomerate, interchannel carbonaceous mudstone（shale）, shallow-water delta sand-shale, shallow-lake calcareous mudstone, olistostromes, and a turbidite. At the bottom of the sequence, we found brownish-red shallow-lake calcareous mudstone and carbonaceous mudstone and at the top olistostromes whose genesis is related to the slip and drag of a slumped body of submarine sediment. In combination with other symbiotic and associated structures, it is considered that the duplex-like structure was formed by the slumping and subsequent movement and traction of delta-front semiconsolidated sediments over the bottom sediments of a shore or shallow-lake sedimentary environment, probably triggered by an earthquake. The attitude of the duplex-like structure indicates that the direction of gliding was from NW301.2° toward SE121°, which is consistent with the current location of the Altun Mountains, indicating that the Altun Mountains existed in the Jurassic. The orogenesis of these mountains likely involved seismic activity, and an earthquake was the triggering factor in the formation of the duplex-like structure by causing the slumping/gliding of the olistostrome sediments.
基金co-funded by the National Science and Technology Major Project "Chinese large gas fields' formation conditions,accumulation and objective evaluation"(grant No.2016ZX05007)the Major Special Project of Chinese Petroleum Development Technologies "A study on comprehensive supporting technologies for building oil-gas field of ten million tons in Qaidam Basin"(grant No.2016E-0102)
文摘During the Pleistocene, the western Qaidam Basin has largely experienced strong structural reconstruction and strong erosion. First, the eroded thickness of Neogene strata was restored approximately by the stratigraphic profile comparison method and plane trend surface restoring method; then, accurate calculation of erosion was recovered using vitrinite reflectance, and the erosion that was restored by the trend surface restoring method was corrected; finally, a distribution map of cumulative erosion was produced. This study marks an important achievement in that one of the most important parameters of basin tectonic evolution, sedimentary evolution, and oil and gas accumulation history has been obtained, and that a basic geological problem has been solved in the Qaidam Basin. The areas with high erosion and low erosion are shown in the map and a close relation between the distribution of oil and gas fields and erosion was recognized. Large and medium oil and gas fields are mainly distributed in areas with medium and low erosion. It is difficult to form large-scale oil and gas accumulation in areas in which erosion is more than 2000 m. The mechanism of the relation between oil and gas distribution and erosion is explained. This study will be of use in predicting the distribution of oil and gas.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program(Grant No.2018YFC0603200)the Research and Development Program of Scientific Research Instruments and Equipment of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(Grant No.ZDZBGCH2018006)+1 种基金the Key Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.42030106)the Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research Program(Grant No.2019QZKK0804).
文摘Geophysics offers an important means to investigate the physical processes occurring inside the earth.In particular,since the 1960s,electromagnetic(EM)methods have played important roles in mineral exploration and engineering investigation.Such investigation requires extensive data acquisition and experimental analysis based on geophysical techniques.However,high-performance geophysical equipment,particularly EM exploration equipment,has been dominated by large geophysical companies from the United States,Canada,Germany,and other European countries for decades.This has limited the development of deep exploration technology in China.Recently,we have developed a high-resolution acquisition system with a wireless control unit and a high-power transmitting system for surface EM prospecting(SEP).The new system has been tested in the high-intensity,noisy environment in Jian-sanjiang area,Heilongjiang Province.We then conducted a field survey on the western edge of Qaidam Basin,Qinghai Province.A highly conductive anomaly was found in the upper mantle below the Qinmantage Mountains,which indicates a possible northward fluid channel that runs from below the Qinmantage Mountains to the bottom of the western crust of the Qaidam Basin.Identification of this significant feature was made possible by the new SEP for its better resolution than the previous systems.Also,geophysical analysis confirmed that the thick Cenozoic sediments of the Qaidam Basin are underlain by rigid Precambrian basement rocks and are characterized by a series of folds.The resistivity profile indicates that the Qaidam Basin was formed due to the folding structures in the northern part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau which provided an additional evidence for the uplifting of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
基金Supported by the PetroChina Science and Technology Special Project(2021DQ0405,2023ZZ15)National Natural Science Foundation of China(42090025)。
文摘Based on the oil and gas exploration in western depression of the Qaidam Basin,NW China,combined with the geochemical,seismic,logging and drilling data,the basic geological conditions,oil and gas distribution characteristics,reservoir-forming dynamics,and hydrocarbon accumulation model of the Paleogene whole petroleum system(WPS)in the western depression of the Qaidam Basin are systematically studied.A globally unique ultra-thick mountain-style WPS is found in the western depression of the Qaidam Basin.Around the source rocks of the upper member of the Paleogene Lower Ganchaigou Formation,the structural reservoir,lithological reservoir,shale oil and shale gas are laterally distributed in an orderly manner and vertically overlapped from the edge to the central part of the lake basin.The Paleogene WPS in the western depression of the Qaidam Basin is believed unique in three aspects.First,the source rocks with low organic matter abundance are characterized by low carbon and rich hydrogen,showing a strong hydrocarbon generating capacity per unit mass of organic carbon.Second,the saline lake basinal deposits are ultra-thick,with mixed deposits dominating the center of the depression,and strong vertical and lateral heterogeneity of lithofacies and storage spaces.Third,the strong transformation induced by strike-slip compression during the Himalayan resulted in the heterogeneous enrichment of oil and gas in the mountain-style WPS.As a result of the coordinated evolution of source-reservoir-caprock assemblage and conducting system,the Paleogene WPS has the characteristics of“whole process”hydrocarbon generation of source rocks which are low-carbon and hydrogen-rich,“whole depression”ultra-thick reservoir sedimentation,“all direction”hydrocarbon adjustment by strike-slip compressional fault,and“whole succession”distribution of conventional and unconventional oil and gas.Due to the severe Himalayan tectonic movement,the western depression of the Qaidam Basin evolved from depression to uplift.Shale oil is widely distributed in the central lacustrine basin.In the sedimentary system thicker than 2000 m,oil and gas are continuous in the laminated limy-dolomites within the source rocks and the alga limestones neighboring the source kitchen,with intercrystalline pores,lamina fractures in dolomites and fault-dissolution bodies serving as the effective storage space.All these findings are helpful to supplement and expand the WPS theory in the continental lake basins in China,and provide theoretical guidance and technical support for oil and gas exploration in the Qaidam Basin.
