Foreland Basins, Their Types and Hydrocarbon Potential

This paper reviews the previous and current research on foreland basins, including the concept, modes of tectonics-sedimentation, types, characteristics, and hydrocarbon bearing features. At the same time, the features and hydrocarbon potential of the rejuvenated foreland basins around intracontinental orogens in Mid-West China are discussed. Conclusions are as follows: ① The rejuvenated foreland basins, juxtaposing with peripheral foreland basin and retro-arc foreland basins, should be considered as a main type of foreland basins; ② The foreland basins, on the basis of their geodynamic environments, can be subdivided into three fundamental types: the peripheral foreland basins, retro-arc foreland basins and rejuvenated foreland basins. The former two types are the representative foreland basins, and the latter one is a rather unique type around introcontinental orogens in the Mid-West of China. ③ Due to different regional background and evolutional processes of three types of foreland basins, individual styles of oil and gas system are developed in these foreland basins.