Geothermal regime and implications for basin resource exploration in the Qaidam Basin, northern Tibetan Plateau

•Geothermal field characteristics of the Qaidam Basin, northeastern Tibetan Plateau, were analysed.•The crustal contribution to the surface heat flow was approximately 55%.•The existence of abnormally high-temperature zones significantly dominated the hydrocarbon distribution.•The Qaidam Basin is favourable for low- and medium-temperature geothermal resources development.•Certain deep high-temperature geothermal resource is prospective if using abandoned oil wells.