Sedimentary facies and source rocks of the Sinian-Cambrian-Ordovician strata in the Kuruktag-Konqi region, Xinjiang

The Kuruktag-Konqi region is situated in the northeastern part of the Tarim Basin in Xinjiang. The integration of exposures, boreholes and seismic data have revealed the total thickness of about 600000 km² of the Upper Sinian to Silurian strata. The Upper Sinian strata are assigned to a sequence of clastic deposits occasionally intercalated with the intrabasinal deposits, with a thickness of about 650 m in the southern part of the Kuruktag region. The Cambrian strata consist of a sequence of carbonate rocks, siliceous rocks and shales, ranging from 300 to 400 m in thickness. The Ordo-vician strata are well developed, including a sequence of clastic rocks with a maximum thickness of more than 7000 m. The Silurian strata are made up of littoral coarse-grained deposits, with a maximum thickness of more than 2400 m. It can be seen that the tremendous thickness of the Sinian-Cambrian-Ordovician strata may be thought to have good hydrocarbon potential. It is proposed that the petroleum exploration should be improved in and to the south of the Konqi region.