RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT OF OIL-GAS EXPLORATION IN SOUTHWESTERN TARIM BASIN

Four-stage oil-gas exploration for several decades in the southwestern Tarim basin deepens our understanding of the fundamental geology of the basin. However, no actual breakthrough has been obtained in terms of oil-gas exploration. The major obstacle in oil-gas exploration lies in lack of data on piedmont thrusts and difficulty in distinguishing traps within slope zones. The analysis of geological condition and correlation with neighboring areas indicate a good prospect in oil-gas exploration of the area. The piedmont thrust zones and slope zones possess fundamental conditions for oil-gas accumulation, and thus are the key areas for oil-gas exploration.