Hydrocarbon Charge Records Fingerprint Differential Reactivation of Two Intracratonic Strike‐Slip Fault Systems, Tarim Craton

ABSTRACT Constraining the absolute timing of multi‐stage strike‐slip fault activity is critical for hydrocarbon accumulation histories in intracratonic fault systems, yet conventional seismic interpretation often fails to resolve the complete reactivation record of deeply buried faults. We integrate in situ calcite U–Pb dating, fluid inclusion analysis, and oil‐gas geochemistry to define fault reactivation and hydrocarbon charging histories in two intracratonic strike‐slip fault systems of the Tarim Craton, NW China. The X‐shaped conjugate system in the Tabei uplift records four deformation phases (Middle–Late Caledonian, Early Hercynian, Late Hercynian and Indosinian–Yanshanian), whereas the subparallel NNE‐trending system in the Aman transition zone records Middle–Late Caledonian, Early Hercynian, Late Hercynian and weak Yanshanian–Himalayan activity. Hydrocarbon charging is closely coupled with fault reactivation: three episodes (Middle Caledonian, Late Hercynian and Yanshanian–Himalayan) in the Tabei uplift, whereas only two (Middle Caledonian and Late Hercynian) in the Aman transition zone. Multi‐proxy maturity data from oils and gases, and fluid inclusion fluorescence spectra, demonstrate that the Tabei uplift fault system remained significantly more active after the Late Hercynian, facilitating large‐scale upward hydrocarbon migration, whereas post‐Late Hercynian activity in the Aman zone was only localized. This integrated approach provides a geochronological framework linking fault reactivation to episodic hydrocarbon charging and demonstrates a widely applicable methodology for predicting hydrocarbon enrichment in intracratonic strike‐slip fault systems, although its application may be limited by the availability of datable calcite and the preservation of fluid inclusions.