Sedimentary Evolution and Controlling Mechanisms of Fluvial–lacustrine Systems in the Triassic Halahatang Formation, Tahe Oilfield, Tarim Basin, China
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Abstract
The Triassic Halahatang Formation in the Tahe Oilfield, Tarim Basin, records a complex transition from fluvial to lacustrine depositional systems, yet its depositional architecture, evolutionary process, and controlling mechanisms remain insufficiently constrained. In this study, core observations, thin-section analysis, well-log interpretation, seismic attributes, heavy-mineral assemblages, palynological data, paleotopographic restoration, and sequence stratigraphic analysis were integrated to clarify sedimentary facies types, provenance directions, sandbody stacking patterns, and depositional evolution. The study area developed braided river, meandering river, and shore–shallow lacustrine systems. During deposition of the lower First Member, abundant sediment supply from the north, steep paleoslope, low base level, and strong hydrodynamic conditions promoted thick, vertically stacked braided-channel sandbodies. In the upper First Member, rising base level, reduced sediment supply, decreased paleoslope gradient, and climatic fluctuation drove a progressive transition to meandering rivers, forming thinner channel sandbodies with improved lateral continuity. During Second Member deposition, continued base-level rise and weakened fluvial energy resulted in widespread shore–shallow lacustrine deposits dominated by mud-rich sediments with locally developed sand bars and flats. The braided-to-meandering transition reflects tectonic–climatic coupling, controlled primarily by base-level rise, sediment-supply reduction, paleoslope decrease, and paleoclimate change. The proposed depositional evolution model provides an improved framework for predicting sandbody distribution and guiding hydrocarbon exploration in the Triassic clastic succession of the Tahe Oilfield.
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References
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Cite This Article
TY - JOUR AU - Ren, Qihang AU - Liu, Jinhua AU - Ma, Hongtao AU - Li, Wenpin AU - Diao, Xindong AU - Gu, Weili PY - 2026 DA - 2026/06/15 TI - Sedimentary Evolution and Controlling Mechanisms of Fluvial–lacustrine Systems in the Triassic Halahatang Formation, Tahe Oilfield, Tarim Basin, China JO - Journal of Geo-Energy and Environment T2 - Journal of Geo-Energy and Environment JF - Journal of Geo-Energy and Environment VL - 2 IS - 3 SP - 203 EP - 218 DO - 10.62762/JGEE.2026.916754 UR - https://www.icck.org/article/abs/JGEE.2026.916754 KW - halahatang formation KW - tahe oilfield KW - sedimentary evolution KW - braided river KW - meandering river KW - shore–shallow lacustrine deposits KW - controlling factors AB - The Triassic Halahatang Formation in the Tahe Oilfield, Tarim Basin, records a complex transition from fluvial to lacustrine depositional systems, yet its depositional architecture, evolutionary process, and controlling mechanisms remain insufficiently constrained. In this study, core observations, thin-section analysis, well-log interpretation, seismic attributes, heavy-mineral assemblages, palynological data, paleotopographic restoration, and sequence stratigraphic analysis were integrated to clarify sedimentary facies types, provenance directions, sandbody stacking patterns, and depositional evolution. The study area developed braided river, meandering river, and shore–shallow lacustrine systems. During deposition of the lower First Member, abundant sediment supply from the north, steep paleoslope, low base level, and strong hydrodynamic conditions promoted thick, vertically stacked braided-channel sandbodies. In the upper First Member, rising base level, reduced sediment supply, decreased paleoslope gradient, and climatic fluctuation drove a progressive transition to meandering rivers, forming thinner channel sandbodies with improved lateral continuity. During Second Member deposition, continued base-level rise and weakened fluvial energy resulted in widespread shore–shallow lacustrine deposits dominated by mud-rich sediments with locally developed sand bars and flats. The braided-to-meandering transition reflects tectonic–climatic coupling, controlled primarily by base-level rise, sediment-supply reduction, paleoslope decrease, and paleoclimate change. The proposed depositional evolution model provides an improved framework for predicting sandbody distribution and guiding hydrocarbon exploration in the Triassic clastic succession of the Tahe Oilfield. SN - 3069-3268 PB - Institute of Central Computation and Knowledge LA - English ER -
@article{Ren2026Sedimentar,
author = {Qihang Ren and Jinhua Liu and Hongtao Ma and Wenpin Li and Xindong Diao and Weili Gu},
title = {Sedimentary Evolution and Controlling Mechanisms of Fluvial–lacustrine Systems in the Triassic Halahatang Formation, Tahe Oilfield, Tarim Basin, China},
journal = {Journal of Geo-Energy and Environment},
year = {2026},
volume = {2},
number = {3},
pages = {203-218},
doi = {10.62762/JGEE.2026.916754},
url = {https://www.icck.org/article/abs/JGEE.2026.916754},
abstract = {The Triassic Halahatang Formation in the Tahe Oilfield, Tarim Basin, records a complex transition from fluvial to lacustrine depositional systems, yet its depositional architecture, evolutionary process, and controlling mechanisms remain insufficiently constrained. In this study, core observations, thin-section analysis, well-log interpretation, seismic attributes, heavy-mineral assemblages, palynological data, paleotopographic restoration, and sequence stratigraphic analysis were integrated to clarify sedimentary facies types, provenance directions, sandbody stacking patterns, and depositional evolution. The study area developed braided river, meandering river, and shore–shallow lacustrine systems. During deposition of the lower First Member, abundant sediment supply from the north, steep paleoslope, low base level, and strong hydrodynamic conditions promoted thick, vertically stacked braided-channel sandbodies. In the upper First Member, rising base level, reduced sediment supply, decreased paleoslope gradient, and climatic fluctuation drove a progressive transition to meandering rivers, forming thinner channel sandbodies with improved lateral continuity. During Second Member deposition, continued base-level rise and weakened fluvial energy resulted in widespread shore–shallow lacustrine deposits dominated by mud-rich sediments with locally developed sand bars and flats. The braided-to-meandering transition reflects tectonic–climatic coupling, controlled primarily by base-level rise, sediment-supply reduction, paleoslope decrease, and paleoclimate change. The proposed depositional evolution model provides an improved framework for predicting sandbody distribution and guiding hydrocarbon exploration in the Triassic clastic succession of the Tahe Oilfield.},
keywords = {halahatang formation, tahe oilfield, sedimentary evolution, braided river, meandering river, shore–shallow lacustrine deposits, controlling factors},
issn = {3069-3268},
publisher = {Institute of Central Computation and Knowledge}
}
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