Lithologic Reservoirs ›› 2026, Vol. 38 ›› Issue (5): 51-59.doi: 10.12108/yxyqc.20260505

• PETROLEUM EXPLORATION • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Structural characteristics and formation mechanisms of Bashituopu Fault in southwestern Tarim Basin

WANG Bin1(), CHEN Lihao2,3(), YANG Liangang1, QU Yang1, YANG Pengfei1, TIAN Lei2,3, WANG Hongbin2,3, LIU Jun2,3   

  1. 1 Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development， PetroChina Tarim Oilfield Company， Korla 841000，Xinjiang, China
    2 Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration & Development-Northwest(NWGI)， PetroChina， Lanzhou 730020， China
    3 Key Laboratory of Reservoir Descripyion, CNPC， Lanzhou 730020， China
  • Received:2025-11-09 Revised:2026-03-11 Online:2026-09-01 Published:2026-09-04
  • Contact: CHEN Lihao E-mail:wangb3-tlm@petrochina.com.cn;chen_lh@petrochina.com.cn

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Abstract:

Based on high-precision 3D seismic data, geometric characteristics of Bashituopu Fault in southwestern Tarim Basin are redetermined. Taking the F1 strike-slip fault and Bashituopu thrust fault on the top surface of Ordovician carbonate rocks as geological prototypes, a sandbox physical simulation model was constructed to systematically analyze the fault evolution mechanism and its controlling effect on hydrocarbon accumulation, and predict favorable exploration zones.The results show that: （1） Bashituopu fault zone is a steeply dipping strike-slip and thrust composite fault, with NE-trending transtensional strike-slip faults prominently developed. The thrust faults sections have a dip angle of 50°-65°, and the faults detach along Middle Cambrian gypsum-salt layer, presenting a typical structural feature of “lower fault and upper fold”. （2） The fault morpho-logy is controlled by the superposition of multi-stage and multi-direction compressive stress. During Caledonian period, NE-trending compression from the West Kunlun formed the prototype of strike-slip faults. In the Early Hercynian period, under SW-NE principal compressive stress, basement faults were reactivated and transformed, and large-scale strike-slip structures developed. From Late Hercynian to Indosinian period, intense SWW compression from the South Tianshan shifted the stress field from transtension to transpression, forming strike-slip and thrust composite faults, which is highly consistent with 3D seismic interpretation results. （3） The fault zone controls three stages of hydrocarbon accumulation evolution. Hydrocarbons accumulated in Cambrian subsalt strata in Caledonian period. In the Hercynian period, source-connected strike-slip faults transported hydrocarbons to Ordovician strata, forming paleo-oil reservoirs via lateral migration along unconformities,and during Himalayan period, structural adjustment transformed them into residual oil reservoirs. Multi-stage fault activities dominate hydrocarbon segmented enrichment. Fault fractures improve reservoir porosity and permeability, suprasalt thrust faults control trap morphology, segmented strike-slip faults construct charging pathways, reservoirs in high fault strain zones have optimal quality. Comprehensive analysis suggests that the eastern “beaded” reflection zone developed in deep F2 fault and secondary faults, and the source-connected strike-slip fault zone in Qungu 2 well area of Donghe sandstone intervals on the southern flank of the shallow structure, are core favorable exploration targets.

Key words: Bashitopu Fault, strike-slip and thrust composite fault, tectonic stress field, fault activity, sandbox experiment simulation, deep fault-related dissolution body, hydrocarbon accumulation, Ordovician carbonate reservoir, Tarim Basin

CLC Number: 

  • TE121.3

Fig. 1

Distribution characteristics of coherent faults on the top surface of Ordovician in Bashituopu Fault (a) and comprehensive stratigraphic column (b)，Tarim Basin"

Fig. 2

Outline of thrust and strike-slip faults and its seismic profile of Bashituopu Fault in southwestern Tarim Basin"

Table 1

Parameters settings for sandbox physical model of Paleozoic in Bashituopu Fault of southwestern Tarim Basin"

材料类别 L g ρ1 ρ2 μ 应力 应变速率
模型 1.0×10-2 9.8 1 300.00 987.00 1.20×104 α ε
实际工区 5.0×103 9.8 2 400.00 2 200.00 10.00×1018
模型/实际工区 2.0×10-6 1.0 0.54 0.45 0.12×10-14 1.08×10-6 1.30×105

Fig. 3

Bottom plate design scheme （a） and laying of the experimental strata （b） for sandbox physical model of Bashituopu Fault in southwestern Tarim Basin"

Fig. 4

Plan structural system of strike-slip and thrust faults simulated by sandbox physical model （a） and cross-section features (b) of Bashituopu Fault in southwestern Tarim Basin"

Fig. 5

Hydrocarbon accumulation models of Bashituopu fault zone in southwestern Tarim Basin"

Fig. 6

Distribution prediction of favorable faults for hydrocarbon accumulation of Bashituopu Fault in southwestern Tarim Basin"

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