Sedimentary Evolution and Controlling Mechanisms of Fluvial–lacustrine Systems in the Triassic Halahatang Formation, Tahe Oilfield, Tarim Basin, China
Research Article  ·  Published: 15 June 2026
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Journal of Geo-Energy and Environment
Volume 2, Issue 3, 2026: 203-218
Research Article Open Access

Sedimentary Evolution and Controlling Mechanisms of Fluvial–lacustrine Systems in the Triassic Halahatang Formation, Tahe Oilfield, Tarim Basin, China

1 School of Geoscience and Technology, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu 610500, China
2 Research Institute of Exploration and Development, Northwest Oilfield Company, Sinopec, Urumqi 830011, China
* Corresponding Author: Jinhua Liu, [email protected]
Volume 2, Issue 3

Article Information

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.

Graphical Abstract

Sedimentary Evolution and Controlling Mechanisms of Fluvial–lacustrine Systems in the Triassic Halahatang Formation, Tahe Oilfield, Tarim Basin, China

Keywords

halahatang formation tahe oilfield sedimentary evolution braided river meandering river shore–shallow lacustrine deposits controlling factors

Data Availability Statement

Data will be made available on request.

Funding

This work was supported by the Major Pilot Project of Sinopec: Hydrocarbon Accumulation Rules and Key Exploration Technologies in Clastic Strata of Midwestern Basins under Grant 2016KTXD02.

Conflicts of Interest

Hongtao Ma, Wenpin Li, Xindong Diao, Weili Gu are affiliated with the Research Institute of Exploration and Development, Northwest Oilfield Company, Sinopec, Urumqi 830011, China. The authors declare that this affiliation had no influence on the study design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, or the decision to publish, and that no other competing interests exist.

AI Use Statement

The authors declare that no generative AI was used in the preparation of this manuscript.

Ethical Approval and Consent to Participate

Not applicable.

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Cite This Article

APA Style
Ren, Q., Liu, J., Ma, H., Li, W., Diao, X., & Gu, W. (2026). Sedimentary Evolution and Controlling Mechanisms of Fluvial–lacustrine Systems in the Triassic Halahatang Formation, Tahe Oilfield, Tarim Basin, China. Journal of Geo-Energy and Environment, 2(3), 203-218. https://doi.org/10.62762/JGEE.2026.916754
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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  - 
BibTeX Format
Compatible with LaTeX, BibTeX, and other reference managers
@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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