Characteristics of the Lower Cambrian Yuertus Formation source rocks in the Tarim Basin, NW China

In this paper, the distribution of source rocks of the lower Cambrian Yuertus Formation in the Tarim Basin is analyzed, a series of organic geochemical characteristics are tested, the characteristics of the source rocks are analyzed, and the thermal evolution and hydrocarbon generation history of the source rocks are simulated. The results show that the distribution of the source rocks is obviously controlled by sedimentary facies; the source rocks are sapropelic organic matter with high abundance and have reached the stage of mature-overmature thermal evolution; those in the eastern depression area have reached the peak of oil generation in the middle Caledonian period, the peak of gas generation in the middle Hercynian period and the end of hydrocarbon generation in the late Hercynian period. In the western uplift area, the source rocks entered the peak of oil generation during late Hercynian period, then entered the stage of gas generation in the early Indosinian period, and then stopped hydrocarbon generation due to uplift and denudation.