Abstract:

Unique and complex geologic history created the characteristics of petroliferous basins in China. Plate tectonic evolution in China has been characterized by matching of microcontinents, multi-cyclic movements and intensive intracontinental tectonic events. As a result, the Paleozoic basins are mostly of intraplatform depressions and rifts; epicontinental basins are undeveloped, and most of which have been reformed and even involved in orogenic belts. The Meso-Cenozoic basins have been affected by intraplate tectonics and characterized by multiple phases of development and reformation, especially the foreland basins appear to have their own distinctive characteristics. The foreland basins in China have distinctive"ternary"architecture, which is different from the"binary"architecture of those foreland basins abroad. The early stage is characterized by taphrogenic troughs with undeveloped passive continental margins, and continental sediments have mainly been deposited during the development of foreland basins. The strong compression in later stage has resulted in the superimposition of very thick mountain front sediments. Multicyclic tectonic movements and multiple phases of basin superimposition have caused most of the basins in China to have the characteristics of superimposed basins, which have influenced the evolution of source rocks, and migration and distribution of oil and gas. Therefore, most of the petroleum systems in China are of composite types.

Key words: plate tectonics, superimposed basin, foreland basin, composite petroleum systems