Source rock characteristics of the Carboniferous Karashayi Formation in the Tarim Basin

The organic matter abundance, thickness, distribution range, organic matter type and maturity of clastic rocks in the Carboniferous Karashayi Formation were studied in order to further clarify the scale of hydrocarbon source rocks in the Carboniferous strata in the Tarim Basin. The period when sandstones and mudstones were deposited in the Karashayi Formation was the most important period for the generation of high quality hydrocarbon source rocks. The lagoon facies area close to the Mazatage structural belt with Macan1 well at the center is the best area for high quality source rocks, even better than the southwestern Tarim Basin. Source rocks in this area are about 60 m thick, generally low mature or mature. The organic carbon content is greater than 2%. However, in general, the distribution of high quality source rocks in the Karasayi Formation of the Tarim Basin is relatively limited.