Abstract:

 Structural transfer zone is a significant geologic structure which regulates the displacement of major thrust faults in thrust belt. According to the geometric relationship of adjacent major faults in cross section with a case study in central uplift, Tarim basin, the structural transfer zone in compressional area can be classified into convergent, divergent and synthetic assemble patterns. Convergent assemble pattern develops popup structural style in transfer zone; transfer zone of divergent assemble pattern develops triangle zone; synthetic assemble pattern transfers its displacement by imbricate fault. The possible styles of thrust fault linkage in transfer zone were discussed. The main factors that control the formation of the structural transfer zones were analyzed which are related to the substrate characters, detachment surface, difference in sedimentary facies and lithology, and stress patterns and so on. Structural transfer zone, which is relatively a complicatedly deformed area, not only becomes an important play for hydrocarbon accumulation owing to its control of euxinic sediments distribution, but also provides pathways for hydrocarbons migration because of closely spaced faults. Moreover, all kinds of structural traps related to fault and anticline potentially developed in structural transfer zone.
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Key words: compressional area, structural transfer zone, structural character, significance of petroleum geology