The controls of strike-slip faults on fracture systems: Insights from 3D seismic data in the central Tarim Basin, northwest China

Abstract

The central Tarim Basin has garnered significant attention due to its petroleum reserves, particularly the recent commercial discovery of Ordovician-age carbonate reservoirs in the Shunbei Oil and Gas Field. This study presents a systematic analysis based on 3D seismic interpretation in the central Tarim Basin. The results reveal the presence of several major strike-slip faults and associated fracture systems. The characteristics of these major strike-slip faults exhibit a lower positive or negative flower structure in the Lower-Middle Ordovician, while faults in the Upper Ordovician display a normal sense of movement attributed to the regional stress field. Furthermore, these major strike-slip faults commonly give rise to fractures at various scales. The fracture systems in different segments of the major strike-slip faults exhibit notable differences in their characteristics. Additionally, two models are proposed to describe strike-slip fault-associated fracture systems in both compressional and extensional settings. The development of fracture systems is highly variable and depends on the scale of the strike-slip fractured zone. In small-scale shear zones or strike-slip fractured zones, the fracture systems typically develop along the fracture plane. Conversely, in large-scale strike-slip fractured zones, the fracture systems commonly develop along the fault zone on both sides.