PETROLEUM GEOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND EXPLORATION POTENTIAL IN THE PALEOZOIC OF RUB AL KHALI BASIN, SAUDI ARABIA

Petroleum geological characteristics and exploration potential have been analyzed in the Rub al Khali Basin with the theory of petroleum geology,reservoir geology and petroleum entrapment.The Rub al Khali Basin is located in the most proliferic hydrocarbon accumulation region,developing multiple reservoirs,sources and seals during the open and close of Paleo and new Tethyan oceans.The Hecynian movement plays an important role in the formation of Paleozoic traps in this basin,which in general include anticlines,faulted anticlines and structural-stratigraphic type occasionally.Although these Paleozoic traps to some degree reactivate during the formation of Zagros Mountain,they develop earlier than the main hydrocarbon migration time.Thus between them there exist better charging relationship.The Rub al Khali Basin now is in the immature exploration stage,with great potential in the Paleozoic.