Multi-stages of Paleozoic deformation of the fault system in the Tazhong Uplift, Tarim Basin, NW China: Implications for hydrocarbon accumulation

The Tazhong Uplift is an important petroliferous secondary structure unit in the Tarim Basin and has undergone multiple structural deformation. In the current study, we use 3D and 2D seismic data to investigate the nature of the fault system in the Tazhong Uplift. The deformation of the Cambrian sedimentary rocks in the Tazhong Uplift is generally neglected but noted in this study. We found that the Lower-Middle Cambrian rocks are involved in thrust faults. NE-trending weak zones acted as accommodation faults formed at the connective positions and bends of the deep thrust faults. The Middle Cambrian compressional stress stemmed from the northeastern margin of the Tarim Block, pointed SW, and caused the uprising of the Tabei Uplift. The second deformation occurred in the Late Ordovician. In this instance, the compressional stress stemmed from the SW direction of the Tazhong Uplift, which originated from the amalgamation of the Western Kunlun Terrane and Tarim Block. The main strike-slip fault surfaces and subordinate faults developed along the weak zones generated in the Middle Cambrian. The collision that occurred in the southeast part of the Tarim Block in the Middle Silurian to Middle Devonian resulted in the third deformation. The representative structures that occurred during this compressive deformation were the intensive NEE-trending thrust faults in the southeast of the Tazhong Uplift. The three stages of deformation played different and important roles in hydrocarbon accumulation. These strike-slip faults holding the high-productivity hydrocarbon wells generally experienced early-stage Cambrian deformation, had wide fracture damage zones in the Ordovician carbonate rock strata, and had weak en echelon faults in the Silurian to Middle Devonian clastic rocks.