• The Korean Journal of Petroleum Geology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2006

Jiaolai Basin is the Cretaceous continental sedimentary basin developed in Shandong Province of China. It is interpreted as a pull-apart basin which is filled with fluvio-lacustrine sediments and volcanic rocks. The sedimentary strata are divided into three formations: Laiyang Formation, Qingshan Formation and Wangshi Formation in ascending order. Laiyang Formation of the early Cretaceous consists of conglomerate, sandstone and shale, which are grey, black or red in color, respectively. Qingshan Formation of early Cretaceous includes various kinds of volcanic rocks. Late Cretaceous Wangshi Formation consists of red conglomerate, sandstone and shale. Various types of oil shows are observed on many outcrops in the basin such as asphalt filing fissures, oil smelling, rocks wetted with oil. However, commercial oil discovery was not made. Laiyang Formation is the richest in terms of organic matter contents. Some grey or black shales of Laiyang Formation contain more than 1% of organic matter. Kerogens of some layers mainly consist of amorphous organic matter or pollen. Thermal maturity of the organic matter reached main oil generation zone and hydrocarbon genetic potential is fairly good. According to such geochemical data, some layers of Laiyang Formation can act as hydrocarbon source rocks.