Abstract:

Economic globalization leads naturally to the globalization of oil and gas exploration and development. On one hand, plate tectonic theory provides a solid base for hydrocarbon global exploration and development. On the other hand, the practice of hydrocarbon exploration and development in Asian and North American continental basins supplies a wealth of useful experience. According to a basin-mountain mechanical coupling scenario, there are three types of orogenic belts with their foreland basin counterparts:(1)oceanic subduction orogenic belts and retro-arc foreland basins;(2)continental collision orogenic belts and peripheral foreland basins; and (3)intracontinental orogenic belts and their associated foreland basins. There are two important guidelines for the exploration and development of foreland basin petroleum plays. Firstly, the deformations of the mountain front thrust belt and the foreland basin are spatially under the same strain conditions. Secondly, the pre-thrusting sedimentary sequence, the syn-thrusting sedimentary sequence, and the post-thrusting sedimentary sequence should be explored integrally.

Key words: oceanic subduction orogenic belt, retro-arc foreland basin, continental collision orogenic belt, peripheral foreland basin, intracontinental orogenic belt, intracontinent foreland baisn