Identification of Neogene mixed lacustrine carbonate in western Qaidam basin

Compared with marine carbonate, lacustrine carbonate is limited in distribution globally; moreover, as an unconventional kind of carbonate, it cannot be evaluated and identified with conventional methods, so less attention has been paid and fewer studies have been made on it. However, according to exploration experiences all over the world, lacustrine carbonate can be an important source rock and reservoir rock in some cases. Qaidam basin, a large salt-water lake basin, had the lacustrine mixed deposition setting to form complex carbonate reservoirs. The recently found Neogene lacustrine algal limestone is an exploration target worthy of attention. The author has used drilling and well logging data to identify lacustrine algal limestone. The method is of great significance for the exploration and development of lacustrine carbonate in other areas.