Journal of Petroleum Geology, Vol.16, No.2, pp. 169-182, 1993

©Copyright 2000 Scientific Press, Ltd.

THE JIUXI BASIN, HEXI CORRIDOR, NW CHINA: FORELAND STRUCTURAL FEATURES AND HYDROCARBON POTENTIAL

Q. M. Wang* and M. P. Coward**

* JAPEX Geoscience Inst. Inc., Akasaka Twin Towers, 2-17-22-Akasaka, Tokyo 107, Japan.

** Dept. of Geology, Imperial College, Prince Consort Road, London SW7 2BP.

Abstract

The Jiuxi (Western Jiuquan) Basin. located in the west of the Hexi Corridor. NW China. is a foreland basin which has been active since the Early Jurassic. It was formed as a consequence of the progressive northwards migration of the North Qilian thrusts in response to sinistral shearing along the 2.000-km long Aerjin (Altun) Fault. Sedimentary deposits in the basin are controlled not only by foreland loading and thrusting. but also by the development of listric normal fault. at high angles to the thrust belt. At the junctions of these two sets of faults. thick organic-rich sediments and reservoirs have accumulated.