The structural segmentation of foreland thrust belts and its implications for hydrocarbon accumulation in foreland basins in central and western China.

By analyzing the features of structural segmentation of foreland thrust belt in central and western China,we conclude that the prevailing controls over the structural segmentation of foreland thrust belts include tectonic settings,transfer tectonics,episodes of tectonic deformation,tectonic superimposition,detachment horizons,and the intensity of tectonic deformation.As proven by petroleum exploration practices,the effects of structural segmentation governing the oil and gas accumulation have two main aspects:(1) hydrocarbon bearing strata are not comparable formation in different structural segments;(2) the times of oil and gas reservoirs and the main period of oil and gas accumulation always vary within different structural segments.