Sedimentary filling and sequence structure dominated by T-R cycles of the Nenjiang Formation in the Songliao Basin

The Nenjiang Formation in the Songliao Basin is a symmetrical sequence of progradation-retrogradation, and is formed in the transgression cycle and regression cycle (T-R cycles) of the base level of deposition. We analyzed the drilling, well logging, core data, and seismic profiles of basin level, and by using the sequence stratigraphy, identified one secondary sequence boundary, two third-order sequence boundaries, and eight fourth-order sequence boundaries in the Nenjiang Formation. These eleven sequence boundaries can be divided into structural unconformity, depositional unconformity, flooding surface, and forced regression surface. Therefore the Nenjiang Formation can be subdivided into one secondary sequence, three third-order sequences, and ten fourth-order sequences. We have restored the sedimentary filling evolution within the stratigraphic framework of fourth-order sequences in the Nenjiang Formation. The sedimentary period of the first member of the Nenjiang Formation was corresponded to the global transgression period, which is also the development period of transgression cycle (T cycle), when the lake basin had the largest scope and deepest sedimentary water, the SB07 (the maximum flooding surface) was formed on the top of strata during this period; covering above the SB07, there developed a set of condensation layer-oil shale, which is distributed in the whole basin and is the important source bed and regional cover. Therefore, a retrogradation sequence was formed in the T cycle of the first member of the Nenjiang Formation, characterized by the retrograding delta at a low angle. The delta has a giant front, a small plain, and many underwater distributary channels. Meanwhile, large gravity flow channels and sublacustrine fans are developed in the front of the delta. During the depositional period of the second member of the Nenjiang Formation, the R cycle began to develop due to the compression of the pacific tectonic domain; the source direction rotated 90° along with the eastern uplifting of the basin, and formed a series of east-west prograded and forced retrogradations. The prograding delta at high angel was developed in the interior of the sequence; the delta had a small front, a giant plain, and fewer underwater distributary channels, with the collapse at the foreslope, forming a series of slump fans. The slump fans can be divided into three types: discrete type, superimposed type, and fluid type. We built a whole “triad model” of the slump fan. Pointed out that the sequence of forced retrogradation formed by R cycle is a good structural mark of basin optimization, and rejected the viewpoint of “transgression” in the Nenjiang Formation of the Songliao Basin.