Multi-parametric geochemical survey on evaluation of hydrocarbon potential of trap structure in a desert area: A case of TD-2 structure in the Tarim Basin, China.

TD-2 structure is located in the eastern part of the Central Uplift zone of the Tarim Basin, China. It is a basement-uplift anticline-type structure confirmed by seismic and gravity prospecting, and it is expected to have good potential for oil and gas according to the analysis of regional geological evolution history. But further exploration such as drilling is suspended because of lacking direct geochemical information. Therefore, multi-parametric geochemical surveys, such as free hydrocarbons (C-C), acid hydrocarbons (C-C) and ΔC, Hg of soil, were conducted. It is concluded in this paper that free hydrocarbons are obviously better than other geochemical parameters and could be used for evaluation of oil and gas potential of TD-2 structure in the desert area. Shapes of near-surface geochemical anomalies and geochemical characteristic parameters suggested that TD-2 structure was a dry gas-bearing structure at the early-middle dissipation stage. So TD-2 structure should have some promising potential for oil-gas. Multi-parametric geochemical survey provided important information for further drilling exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]