In view of status of petroleum exploration in marine carbonates in southern China

a dynamic and practical classification scheme is presented for source-reservoir-cap rock combinations based on sequence stratigraphy study. It divides

for the first time

the source-reservoir-cap rock combinations in this region into 5 types

including boundary type

low water type

transgression type

high water type and composite type.Various types of combinations have different sedimentary and geological features and different petroleum geological significances. The boundary type is characterized by poor effectiveness in timing; the low water type is characterized by its wide distribution

small reservoir bodies and optimum migration conditions; the transgression type has strong sealing capability with small reservoir bodies; the high water type is rich in petroleum and is characterized by its largest reservoir bodies

widest distribution and regional and even globel comparability; while the composite type is characterized by its large

wide and stable distribution and hydrocarbon accumulations of multiple sources

multiple stages and multiple geneses.