BASIN-RANGE COUPLING AND HYDROCARBON ACCUMULATION AT THE NORTHWESTERN MARGIN OF THE JUNGGAR BASIN

In order to gain insights into the characteristics of hydrocarbon accumulation in the Junggar basin and guide future exploration, this paper analyzes the evolutional features of basin-range system, patterns of basin-range coupling and their relationships with hydrocarbon accumulation in the study area. The following understandings are obtained. ① Darbute nappe and Halaalate mountain nappe are complex geologic bodies formed through multistage superimposition and have well-developed and faults. In contrast, the Heshituoluoga basin is a small Cenozoic intermountain basin developed on the western Junggar fold basement during Hercynian and finalized through multistage tectonic activities; ② Two basin-range coupling patterns occur in the study area: vertical thrusting duplex and planar NE-trending structural zone and NW-trending cross faults; ③ Lateral transformation zones of faults, joint structures and the third structural belts have favorable conditions for hydrocarbon accumulation, thus are the major targets for future exploration in the study area.