Abstract:

Hydrocarbon migration in the Tazhong area of Tarim Basin is studied through geochem ical tracing based on analyses of saturated hydrocarbons，aromatic compounds，nitrogenous compounds and trace elements of fluid inclusions.The result reveals that both vertical and lateral hydrocarbon migration are common in the study area.Faults here are the effective verticalm igration pathways，while unconform ities and connected sand bodies serve as the lateralm igration pathways.The exploration success rate can be improved by studying vertical hydro-carbon migration through integration ofgeochemical datawith geological data and selectingmultiple targets based on an analysis of faulting history.Analysis of lateral carrier systems for lateral hydrocarbon migration indicates that excellent reservoirswith certain tectonic settings are dominant pathways forlateral hydrocarbon migration.Therefore，the relative structural highs of these quality reservoirs are favorable for hydrocarbon accumulation through lateralm igration.

Key words: hydrocarbon migration, tracing parameter, geochem istry, Tazhong area, Tarim Basin