The Relationship between Petroleum Accumulation and Mineralization in Sedimentary Basins

Sedimentary basins are critical geological units that can host fossil fuel and metallic/nonmetallic mineral deposits. Mineral deposits are closely related to hydrocarbon reservoirs in sedimentary basins. In addition, many middle to low temperature hydrothermal ore deposits in sedimentary basins often show a coupling relationship of homology with hydrocarbon reservoirs. The mineralization and accumulation of hydrocarbons are largely coeval, and their common depositional environments make it possible to explore both types of commodities using common techniques.

The gap in global demand for fossil energy and metallic and nonmetallic mineral deposits is widening with economic development and population growth. Sedimentary basins are important sources of fossil fuels (e.g., oil, natural gas, coal) and mineral deposits (e.g., Pb, Zn, Cu, NaCl, and Li brines). Basinal fluids associated with metallization and reservoir formation include hydrocarbon-rich organic fluids, metal-rich aqueous fluids, and hydrocarbon- and mineral-rich ore-forming fluids. The evolution of these fluids may determine the coupled mineralization and hydrocarbon accumulation in a sedimentary basin. Their similar genesis needs to be discussed to better understand better the spatial relationship between mineral deposits and hydrocarbon reservoirs in sedimentary basins. This work will enable coordinated exploration and prediction of mineral deposits and hydrocarbon resources in sedimentary basins.

- New technologies for characterizing fossil fuels and associated mineral deposits.
- Organic-inorganic interactions of deep fluids
- Tectonic framework for the formation of large hydrocarbon fields and mineralized belts
- Paleogeography, paleoclimate, and paleoecology for the formation of large mineralized belts and hydrocarbon fields
- Delineate the structural controls and alteration processes associated with the evolution of mineral and hydrocarbon accumulations in sedimentary basins
- The source of ore-forming material and mineralized fluids
- The influence of oil-gas reservoirs on the genesis of mineral deposits
- Recent discoveries of large deposits and oil and gas fields around the world
- A review paper covering the above topics