Controlling factors for large gas field formation in thrust belt of Kuqa coal derived hydrocarbon foreland basin

Kuqa depression is a foreland basin developedwith Mesozoic-Triassic-Jurassic coal-bearing formation. Theresearch results of the coal-derived hydrocarbon forelandbasins in Kuqa depression indicated that the coal-bearingformation can be the rich sources for generating gas becauseof their thickness and rich source rocks with gas-generatingpredominant kerogen. Although the foreland thrust beltmainly acting in compression is very complicated, integrallarge structural traps can be formed. Moreover, the thrustbelt can act as the passage for communication with deepsource rocks. The high quality gypsolish and gypseous mud-stone cap rock developed in the upper formation is the keyfor the formation of the large gas field. The late formation ofreservoirs in the large gas fields depended on the hydrocar-bon-generating history controlled by the foreland basin andthe developing process of foreland thrust belt.