Abstract

Despite broad similarities there exist significant differences in tectono-stratigraphic development of the Cuu Long Basin, Nam Con Son Basin and the West Natuna Basin. Both the West Natuna Basin and Cuu Long Basin show evidence of rift initiation in Late Eocene/Early Oligocene. All three basins show evidence of Mid Oligocene rifting coincident with sea-floor spreading in South China Sea/East Sea. The Cuu Long Basin shows evidence of compressional reactivation of strike-slip faults in Late Oligocene whilst inversion of early grabens occurred in West Natuna Basin in the Early, Middle and Late Miocene. The Nam Con Son Basin shows clear evidence for second period of rifting in the Middle Miocene coincident with end of sea-floor spreading.

Keywords: Three Pagodas Fault • Mai Ping Fault • Shan Thai Block • Malaya Block • Bentong Raub Suture • Sra Kaeo Structure • Indochina Block • Tien Cau Syn Formation • Cau Formation • Dua Formation • Mang Cau Syn Formation • Nam Con Son Formation • Bien Dong Formation

Presented at: 2009 South East Asia Petroleum Exploration Society (SEAPEX) Conference, Singapore, 2009