Early Cambrian syndepositional structure of the northern Tarim Basin and a discussion of Cambrian subsalt and deep exploration

Using field geological survey, drilling and seismic data, combined with the study of regional tectonic evolution and structural deformation, as well as lithological and sedimentary analysis, we reconstructed the basin filling process and paleo-geography of north Tarim Basin in Early Cambrian, aiming to analyze the factors controlling the distribution and spatial architecture of the subsalt reservoir and source units and to define the favorable exploration direction. The Late Sinian tectonic activities in the northern Tarim Basin were characterized by different patterns in different areas, which controlled the sedimentary pattern in the Early Cambrian. The boundary faults of Nanhuaian rift basin in the south slope of Tabei uplift and the north slope of Tazhong uplift became reactivated in the Early Cambrian, forming two NEE and EW striking subsidence centers and depocenters, where the predicted thickness of the Yurtusi Formation could reach 250 meters. In the Xiaoerbulake period, the weak rimmed platform was developed in the hanging wall of syndepositional fault. Whereas the Nanhuaian rift system in the Tadong and Manxi areas were uplifted and destroyed in the Late Sinian, and appeared as gently slope transiting toward the subsidence center in the Early Cambrian. The former had the sedimentary features of hybrid facies platform and the latter had the sedimentary features of ramp platform. The black shale of the Yurtus Formation in the footwall of syndepositional fault and the reef bank of Xiaoerbulake Formation platform margin in the hanging wall in Early Cambrian constitute a predicable source-reservoir combination. The activity intensity of syndepositional fault controlled the thickness of black shale and the scale of the reef bank. It is suggested carrying out high accuracy seismic exploration to determine the location of Early Cambrian syndepositional faults, on this basis, to search the reef bank of Xiaoerbulake Formation along the faults westward, and then drill risk exploration wells at sites where traps are shallow in buried depth.