Neoproterozoic Stratigraphy, Depositional Environments and Hydrocarbon Source-Reservoir-Seal Bed Assemblage in South China

The well-exposed NeoproterozoicUniversity of Chinese Academy of Sciences sedimentary successionsChinese Academy of Sciences of South China are rich in fossils and mineral resources, and have proven crucial to understanding Neoproterozoic stratigraphy, biological evolution and palaeoenvironmental changes. Based on analysis of the most complete Ediacaran (Sinian) successions in the Yangtze Gorges area and the pre-Ediacaran (Cryogenian and Tonian) succession in the deep water basin of the southeast Yangtze Craton (YC), a Neoproterozoic stratigraphic framework for South China is established and discussed, and recent advances plus remaining problems in the subdivision and correlation of the Neoproterozoic successions in South China are summarized. Also reviewed are the characteristics and spatiotemporal distribution of hydrocarbon source-reservoir-seal beds in the Neoproterozoic (mainly Ediacaran/Sinian) in this region.