Classification and exploration potential of sedimentary basins based on the superposition and evolution process of prototype basins

DOU Lirong,WEN Zhixin

Table 1 Types and fundamental attributes of global sedimentary basins.

Type of basin Stage of Wilson cycle Primary stress Basement property Current geothermal gradient/(°C·km-1) Basin structure Sedimentary system Conditions of large conventional oil and gas fields Conditions of unconventional oil and gas fields Typical basin Intraconti- nental growth rift Embryonic stage Extensional Continental crust 38-45 Graben, half graben Fluvial/alluvial fan-delta/fan delta-lacustrine/marine sediments Good Poor Albert Rift Interconti- nental rift Juvenile stage Continental crust, oceanic crust >50 Graben Igneous rocks, carbonate rocks and evaporate rocks/shore and shallow marine sandstone in upper part, equivalent to intracontinental rifting growth stage in lower part Fair Poor Rea Sea Intraconti- nental aborted rift Juvenile stage Continental crust 31-40 Graben, half graben Besides red bed on the top, equivalent to intracontinental rifting growth stage in middle and lower parts Excellent Marine better than lacustrine West Siberia Passive conti- nental margin Mature stage Continental crust, transitional crust, oceanic crust 27-38 Lower faulted and upper depression Carbonate platform/shore and shallow marine sandstone, fluvial- delta-deep water gravity flow in upper part, equivalent to intercontinental and intracontinental rifting stages in middle and lower parts, respectively Excellent Fair Santos Intra- craton Full cycle Continental crust 19-30 Depression Possible development similar as intracontinental rifting growth sedimentary system in lower part, in ascending order, shore and shallow marine clastic rocks/carbonate rocks-transitional-continental strata as a whole Fair Good Williston Back-arc rift Declining and terminal stages Extensional and compressive Continental crust 40-60 Graben, half graben Approximate to intracontinental rifting growth stage, and tends to be transgressive in late stage Good Fair Malay Basin Back-arc depression Continental crust, transitional crust 50-60 Lower faulted and upper depression Equivalent to back-arc rift in lower part, fluvial-delta-gravity flow, carbonate platform in upper part Excellent Fair Sumatra Small back-arc oceanic basin Continental crust, transitional crust, oceanic crust >40 Depression Deep water gravity flow sediments Fair Poor Japan Sea Basin Forearc basin Continental crust, oceanic crust, complex rock mass 20-30 Depression/ faulted depression Deep water gravity flow/equivalent to transgressive intracontinental rifting stage Fair Poor Talara Trench basin Declining stage Compressive Oceanic crust <20 Depression Mainly deep water fine-granular sediments Poor Poor Chile Trench Back-arc foreland Terminal and suturing stages Continental crust 19-33 Lower faulted and upper depression Equivalent to back-arc rifting/depression evolution stages in middle and lower parts, respec-tively, fan delta, swamp and fluvial-alluvial fan, etc. in upper part Excellent Excellent West Canada Periphery foreland Continental crust 14-32 Lower faulted and upper depression Equivalent to intracontinental growth rift and passive continental margin evolution stages in middle and lower parts, respectively, fan delta, swamp and fluvial-alluvial fan, etc. in upper part Excellent Excellent Arab/Zagros Strike-slip pull-apart Extensional stage Wrench Continental crust 23-26 Deep and narrow graben/half graben Underwater fan, alluvial fan-fan delta, lacustrine/marine sediments Good Fair Bongo Strike-slip flexural Compressive stage Twist-compressive Continental crust <25 Depression Equivalent to strike-slip pull-apart basin in lower part, mainly fluvial and alluvial fan Poor Poor San Joaquin