Journal of Petroleum Geology, Vol.13, No.1, pp. 59-70, 1990

©Copyright 2000 Scientific Press, Ltd.

THE GENESIS OF THE SOUTH CHINA SEA AND ITS HYDROCARBON-BEARING BASINS

Liang Dehua* and Liu Zonghui*

* No. 2 Marine and Geological Investigation Brigade, Ministry of Geology and Mineral Resources, PO Box 1180, Guangzhu, P.R. China.

Abstract

The formation of the South China Sea was primarily controlled by the NeoCathaysian and Nanhai tectonic systems (Early Cretaceus - Early Tertiary, and Late Oligocene - Early Miocene, respectively). These two tectonic systems are associated with the first and second phases of spreading in the South China Sea, where 33 sedimentary basins have so far been located. Basin generation and development was tectonically controlled, and four basin types have been identified: tensile, tensile-shear compressive, and compressive-shear Tensile and tensile-shear basins in the Nanhai system, and the compressive basins in the NeoCathaysian system, have the most promising oil and gas potential.