An approach to the tectonic evolution and hydrocarbon accumulation in the Halaalate Mountain area, northern Xinjiang

The Halaalate Mountain area is located in the foreland thrust zone on the northwestern margin of the Junggar Basin, northern Xinjiang. A preliminary study in the present paper is made for the tectonic evolution, source rocks, reservoir rocks, cap rocks, traps and migration of oil and gas in the study area. Four stages of tectonic evolution have been distinguished, including the collision and compression (C-P), back-arc compression (P₂-T), extension-rifting (J₁-J₂¹), and regenerated foreland basin (J₂²-Q) stages. The results of research in this study show that the Halaalate Mountain area is of great potential for oil and gas exploration due to good source rocks and reservoir-seal associations, various oil traps and complex hydrocarbon carrier systems.