Source and exploration potential of the ultra-deep Cambrian petroleum in Well XT-1, Tarim Basin, NW China

Abstract

The ultra-deep (deeper than 8 000 m) petroleum in the platform-basin zones of the Tarim Basin has been found mainly in the Lower Paleozoic reservoirs located to the east of the strike-slip fault F5 in the north depression. However, the source and exploration potential of the ultra-deep petroleum in the Cambrian on the west of F5 are still unclear. Through the analysis of lithofacies and biomarkers, it is revealed that there are at least three kinds of isochronous source rocks (SRs) in the Cambrian Newfoundland Series in Tarim Basin, which were deposited in three sedimentary environments, i.e. sulfide slope, deep-water shelf and restricted bay. In 2024, Well XT-1 in the western part of northern Tarim Basin has yielded a high production of condensate from the Cambrian. In the produced oil, entire aryl-isoprenoid alkane biomarkers were detected, but triaromatic dinosterane was absent. This finding is well consistent with the geochemical characteristics of the Newfoundland sulfidized slope SRs represented by those in wells LT-1 and QT-1, suggesting that the Newfoundland SRs are the main source of the Cambrian petroleum discovered in Well XT-1. Cambrian crude oil of Well XT-1 also presents the predominance of C₂₉ steranes and is rich in long-chain tricyclic terpanes (up to C₃₉), which can be the indicators for effectively distinguishing lithofacies such as siliceous mudstone and carbonate rock. Combined with the analysis of hydrocarbon accumulation in respect of conduction systems including thrust fault and strike-slip fault, it is found that the area to the west of F5 is possible to receive effective supply of hydrocarbons from the Cambrian Newfoundland SRs in Manxi hydrocarbon-generation center. This finding suggests that the area to the west of F5 will be a new target of exploration in the Cambrian ultra-deep structural-lithologic reservoirs in the Tarim Basin, in addition to the Cambrian ultra-deep platform-margin facies-controlled reservoirs in the eastern part of the basin.