Microscopic characteristics of tight sandstone reservoirs and their effects on the imbibition efficiency of fracturing fluids:A case study of the Linxing area,Ordos Basin

The Linxing area within the Ordos Basin exhibits pronounced reservoir heterogeneity and intricate micro-pore structures,rendering it susceptible to water-blocking damage during imbibition extraction.This study delved into the traits of tight sandstone reservoirs in the 8th member of the Shihezi Formation(also referred to as the He 8 Member)in the study area,as well as their effects on fracturing fluid imbibition.Utilizing experimental techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR),high-pressure mercury intrusion(HPMI),and gas adsorption,this study elucidated the reservoir characteristics and examined the factors affecting the imbibition through imbibition experiments.The findings reveal that:①The reservoir,with average porosity of 8.40%and average permeability of 0.642×10^(-3)μm^(2),consists principally of quartz,feldspar,and lithic fragments,with feldspathic litharenite serving as the primary rock type and illite as the chief clay mineral;②Nano-scale micro-pores and throats dominate the reservoir,with dissolution pores and intercrystalline pores serving as predominant pore types,exhibiting relatively high pore connectivity;③Imbibition efficiency is influenced by petrophysical properties,clay mineral content,and microscopic pore structure.Due to the heterogeneity of the tight sandstone reservoir,microscopic factors have a more significant impact on the imbibition efficiency of fracturing fluids;④A comparative analysis shows that average pore size correlates most strongly with imbibition efficiency,followed by petrophysical properties and clay mineral content.In contrast,the pore type has minimal impact.Micropores are vital in the imbibition process,while meso-pores and macro-pores offer primary spaces for imbibition.This study offers theoretical insights and guidance for enhancing the post-fracturing production of tight sandstone reservoirs by examining the effects of these factors on the imbibition efficiency of fracturing fluids in tight sandstones.

Reservoir characteristics and controlling factor of tight sandstone in Shuixigou Group in Taibei depression,Turpan-Hami basin

The positive structure belts surrounding the Taibei Sag,Turpan-Hami Basin,have been the main targets for oil and gas exploration for years and are now left with remaining resources scattering in reservoirs adjacent to source rocks in the sag,where the Shuixigou Group with substantial oil and gas potential constitutes the primary focus for near-source exploration.Consequently,characterization of development and key controlling factors of reservoir space becomes a must for future exploration in the area.This study investigates the development traits,genesis,and controlling factors of the Xishanyao and Sangonghe formations in the Shengbei and Qiudong Sub-sags of the Taibei Sag with techniques such as cast thin-section observation,porosity and permeability tests,high-pressure mercury injection,and saturation fluid NMR analysis of reservoir rocks.The findings reveal that the Shuixigou Group in the Taibei Sag consists of lithic sandstone.Reservoirs in the group are mostly poor in terms of physical properties,with undeveloped primary pores dominated by intergranular dissolved pores as a result of a strong compaction.Comparative analysis of key controlling factors of the Sangonghe Formation reveals significant distinctions in sandstone particle size,sand body thickness,genesis and distribution,provenance location,and source rock type between the Qiudong area and Shengbei area.Vertically,the coal seams of the Xishanyao Formation exhibit heightened development with shallower burial depth and lower maturity compared to those of the Sangonghe Formation.Consequently,this environment fosters the formation of organic acids,which have a stronger dissolution effect on minerals to develop secondary dissolution pores,and ultimately resulting in better reservoir physical properties.Overall,the reservoirs within the Qiudong area of the Taibei Sag demonstrate superior characteristics compared to those in the Shengbei area.Furthermore,the reservoir physical properties of the Xishanyao Formation are better than those of the Sangonghe Formation.The research findings will provide valuable guidance for the exploration and development of lithological oil and gas reservoirs within the Taibei Sag.

Distribution patterns of tight sandstone gas and shale gas

Based on an elaboration of the resource potential and annual production of tight sandstone gas and shale gas in the United States and China,this paper reviews the researches on the distribution of tight sandstone gas and shale gas reservoirs,and analyzes the distribution characteristics and genetic types of tight sandstone gas reservoirs.In the United States,the proportion of tight sandstone gas in the total gas production declined from 20%-35%in 2008 to about 8%in 2023,and the shale gas production was 8310×10^(8)m^(3)in 2023,about 80%of the total gas production,in contrast to the range of 5%-17%during 2000-2008.In China,the proportion of tight sandstone gas in the total gas production increased from 16%in 2010 to 28%or higher in 2023.China began to produce shale gas in 2012,with the production reaching 250×10^(8)m^(3)in 2023,about 11%of the total gas production of the country.The distribution of shale gas reservoirs is continuous.According to the fault presence,fault displacement and gas layer thickness,the continuous shale gas reservoirs can be divided into two types:continuity and intermittency.Most previous studies believed that both tight sandstone gas reservoirs and shale gas reservoirs are continuous,but this paper holds that the distribution of tight sandstone gas reservoirs is not continuous.According to the trap types,tight sandstone gas reservoirs can be divided into lithologic,anticlinal,and synclinal reservoirs.The tight sandstone gas is coal-derived in typical basins in China and Egypt,but oil-type gas in typical basins in the United States and Oman.

Effect of gas saturation on P-wave velocity in tight sandstone

By measuring the variation of the P-and S-wave velocities of tight sandstone samples under water saturation,it was confirmed that with the decrease in water saturation,the P-wave velocity first decreased and then increased.The variation in velocity was influenced by the sandstone’s porosity.The commonly used Gassmann equation based on fluid substitution theory was studied.Comparing the calculated results with the measured data,it was found that the Gassmann equation agreed well with the measured data at high water saturation,but it could not explain the bending phenomenon of P-wave velocity at low saturation.This indicated that these equations could not accurately describe the relationship between fluid content and rock acoustic velocity.The reasons for this phenomenon were discussed through Taylor’s expansion.The coefficients of the fitting formula were calculated and verified by fitting the measured acoustic velocity changes of the cores.The relationship between P-wave velocity and saturation was discussed,which provides experimental support for calculating saturation using seismic and acoustic logging data.

A Data-Oriented Method to Optimize Hydraulic Fracturing Parameters of Tight Sandstone Reservoirs

Based on the actual data collected from the tight sandstone development zone, correlation analysis using theSpearman method was conducted to determine the main factors influencing the gas production rate of tightsandstone fracturing. An integrated model combining geological engineering and numerical simulation of fracturepropagation and production was completed. Based on data analysis, the hydraulic fracture parameters wereoptimized to develop a differentiated fracturing treatment adjustment plan. The results indicate that the influenceof geological and engineering factors in the X1 and X2 development zones in the study area differs significantly.Therefore, it is challenging to adopt a uniform development strategy to achieve rapid production increase. Thedata analysis reveals that the variation in gas production rate is primarily affected by the reservoir thickness andpermeability parameters as geological factors. On the other hand, the amount of treatment fluid and proppantaddition significantly impact the gas production rate as engineering factors. Among these factors, the influence ofgeological factors is more pronounced in block X1. Therefore, the main focus should be on further optimizing thefracturing interval and adjusting the geological development well location. Given the existing well location, thereis limited potential for further optimizing fracture parameters to increase production. For block X2, the fracturingparameters should be optimized. Data screening was conducted to identify outliers in the entire dataset, and adata-driven fracturing parameter optimization method was employed to determine the basic adjustment directionfor reservoir stimulation in the target block. This approach provides insights into the influence of geological,stimulation, and completion parameters on gas production rate. Consequently, the subsequent fracturing parameteroptimization design can significantly reduce the modeling and simulation workload and guide field operations toimprove and optimize hydraulic fracturing efficiency.

Experimental study of surfactant-enhanced spontaneous imbibition in fractured tight sandstone reservoirs: The effect of fracture distribution

Spontaneous imbibition is an important phenomenon in tight reservoirs.The existence of a large number of fractures and micro-nano pores is the key factor affecting the spontaneous imbibition of tight reservoirs.In this study,based on high-pressure mercury injection and nuclear magnetic resonance experiments,the pore distribution of tight sandstone is described.The influence of fractures,core porosity and permeability,and surfactants on the spontaneous imbibition of tight sandstone are studied by physical fracturing,interfacial tension test,wettability test and imbibition experiments.The results show that:the pore radius of tight sandstone is concentrated in 0.01-1 mm.Fractures can effectively reduce the oil drop adsorption on the core surface,enhancing the imbibition recovery of the tight sandstone with an increase of about 10%.As the number of fractures increases,the number of oil droplets adsorbed on the core surface decrease and the imbibition rate increases.The imbibition recovery increases with the increase in pore connectivity,while the imbibition rate increases with the increases in core porosity and permeability.The surfactant can improve the core water wettability and reduce the oilwater interfacial tension,reducing the adsorption of oil droplets on the core surface,and improving the core imbibition recovery with an increase of about 15%.In a word,the existence of fractures and surfactants can enhance the pore connectivity of the reservoir,reduce the adsorption of oil droplets on the core surface,and improve the imbibition rate and recovery rate of the tight oil reservoir.

Tight sandstone gas accumulation mechanisms and sweet spot prediction, Triassic Xujiahe Formation, Sichuan Basin, China

The prediction of continental tight sandstone gas sweet spots is an obstacle during tight sandstone gas exploration. In this work, the classic physical fluid charging experimental equipment is improved, the combination of the gas migration and accumulation process with the pore network numerical simulation method is investigated, and application of the permeability/porosity ratio is proposed to predict the gas saturation and sweet spots of continental formations. The results show that (1) as the charging pressure increases, the permeability of the reservoir increases because more narrow pore throats are displaced in the percolation process;and (2) based on pore network numerical simulation and theoretical analysis, the natural gas migration and accumulation mechanisms are revealed. The gas saturation of tight sandstone rock is controlled by the gas charging pressure and dynamic percolation characteristics. (3) The ratio of permeability/porosity and fluid charging pressure is proposed to predict the gas saturation of the formation. The ratio is verified in a pilot and proven to be applicable and practical. This work highlights the tight sandstone gas migration and accumulation mechanisms and narrows the gap among microscale physical experiments, numerical simulation research, and field applications.

Pore throat structure heterogeneity and its effect on gas-phase seepage capacity in tight sandstone reservoirs:A case study from the Triassic Yanchang Formation,Ordos Basin

The microscopic heterogeneity of pore-throat structures in tight sandstone is a crucial parameter for understanding the transport mechanism of fluid flow.In this work,we firstly developed the new procedure to characterize the pore size distribution(PSD)and throat size distribution(TSD)by combining the nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR),cast thin section(CTS),and constant-rate mercury injection(CRMI)tests,and used the permeability estimated model to verify the full-scale PSD and TSD.Then,we respectively analyzed the fractal feature of the pore and throat,and characterized the heterogeneity of pores and throats.Finally,we elaborated the effect of the pore and throat heterogeneity on the gas-phase seepage capacity base on the analysis of the simple capillary tube model and gas-flooding experiment.The results showed that(1)The PSD and TSD of the tight sandstone sample ranged from 0.01 to 10 mm and from 0.1 to 57 mm,respectively,mainly contributed by the micropores and mesopores.Meanwhile,the permeability estimated by the PSD and TSD was consistent with the experimental permeability,and relative error was lower than 8%.(2)The PSD and TSD exhibited multifractal characteristics,and singularity strength range,Δα,could be used as the indicator for characterizing the heterogeneity of pore and throat.Furthermore,the throat of the sample showed stronger heterogeneity than that the pore.(3)The throats played an important role for the fluid transport in the tight sandstone,and the effect of the throat heterogeneity on the gas-phase seepage capacity was different under the lower and higher injection pressure.The macropores and micropores maybe respectively become the preferential migration pathways at the lower and higher injection pressure.In the end,the identification plate was established in our paper,and could be described the relationship among the throat heterogeneity,injection pressure,permeability and flow path of the gas phase in the tight sandstone.

Geological characteristics and models of fault-foldfracture body in deep tight sandstone of the second member of Upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation in Xinchang structural belt of Sichuan Basin,SW China

In the second member of the Upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation(T_(3)x_(2))in the Xinchang area,western Sichuan Basin,only a low percent of reserves has been recovered,and the geological model of gas reservoir sweet spot remains unclear.Based on a large number of core,field outcrop,test and logging-seismic data,the T_(3)x_(2) gas reservoir in the Xinchang area is examined.The concept of fault-fold-fracture body(FFFB)is proposed,and its types are recognized.The main factors controlling fracture development are identified,and the geological models of FFFB are established.FFFB refers to faults,folds and associated fractures reservoirs.According to the characteristics and genesis,FFFBs can be divided into three types:fault-fracture body,fold-fracture body,and fault-fold body.In the hanging wall of the fault,the closer to the fault,the more developed the effective fractures;the greater the fold amplitude and the closer to the fold hinge plane,the more developed the effective fractures.Two types of geological models of FFFB are established:fault-fold fracture,and matrix storage and permeability.The former can be divided into two subtypes:network fracture,and single structural fracture,and the later can be divided into three subtypes:bedding fracture,low permeability pore,and extremely low permeability pore.The process for evaluating favorable FFFB zones was formed to define favorable development targets and support the well deployment for purpose of high production.The study results provide a reference for the exploration and development of deep tight sandstone oil and gas reservoirs in China.

A new NMR-data-based method for predicting petrophysical properties of tight sandstone reservoirs

Evaluating the permeability and irreducible water saturation of tight sandstone reservoirs is challenging.This study uses distribution functions to fit measured NMR T_(2)distributions of tight sandstone reservoirs and extract parameters for characterizing pore size distribution.These parameters are then used to establish prediction models for permeability and irreducible water saturation of reservoirs.Results of comparing the fit of the T_(2)distributions by the Gauss and Weibull distribution functions show that the fitting accuracy with the Weibull distribution function is higher.The physical meaning of the statistical parameters of the Weibull distribution function is defined to establish nonlinear prediction models of permeability and irreducible water saturation using the radial basis function(RBF)method.Correlation coefficients between the predicted values by the established models and the measured values of the tight sandstone core samples are 0.944 for permeability and 0.851 for irreducible water saturation,which highlight the effectiveness of the prediction models.

Influence of Acid Treatment on Pore Structure and Fractal Characterization of a Tight Sandstone:A Case Study from Wudun Sag,Dunhuang Basin

In this study,X-ray diffraction,N_(2)adsorption(N_(2)A),and mercury intrusion(MI)experiments were used to investigate the influence of acid treatment on pore structure and fractal characterization of tight sandstones.The results showed that acid treatment generated a certain number of ink-bottle pores in fine sandstone,aggravated the ink-bottle effect in the sandy mudstone,and transformed some smaller pores into larger ones.After the acid treatment,both the pore volume in the range of 2–11 nm and 0.271–8μm for the fine sandstone and the entire pore size range for the sandy mudstone significantly increased.The dissolution of sandstone cement causes the fine sandstone particles to fall off and fill the pores;the porosity increased at first but then decreased with acid treatment time.The fractal dimension obtained using the Frenkel-Halsey-Hill model was positively correlated with acid treatment time.However,the total fractal dimensions obtained by MI tests showed different changes with acid treatment time in fine sandstone and sandy mudstone.These results provide good guiding significance for reservoir acidification stimulation.

Integrated classification method of tight sandstone reservoir based on principal component analysise simulated annealing genetic algorithmefuzzy cluster means

In this research,an integrated classification method based on principal component analysis-simulated annealing genetic algorithm-fuzzy cluster means(PCA-SAGA-FCM)was proposed for the unsupervised classification of tight sandstone reservoirs which lack the prior information and core experiments.A variety of evaluation parameters were selected,including lithology characteristic parameters,poro-permeability quality characteristic parameters,engineering quality characteristic parameters,and pore structure characteristic parameters.The PCA was used to reduce the dimension of the evaluation pa-rameters,and the low-dimensional data was used as input.The unsupervised reservoir classification of tight sandstone reservoir was carried out by the SAGA-FCM,the characteristics of reservoir at different categories were analyzed and compared with the lithological profiles.The analysis results of numerical simulation and actual logging data show that:1)compared with FCM algorithm,SAGA-FCM has stronger stability and higher accuracy;2)the proposed method can cluster the reservoir flexibly and effectively according to the degree of membership;3)the results of reservoir integrated classification match well with the lithologic profle,which demonstrates the reliability of the classification method.

Tight Sandstone Image Augmentation for Image Identification Using Deep Learning

Intelligent identification of sandstone slice images using deep learning technology is the development trend of mineral identification,and accurate mineral particle segmentation is the most critical step for intelligent identification.A typical identification model requires many training samples to learn as many distinguishable features as possible.However,limited by the difficulty of data acquisition,the high cost of labeling,and privacy protection,this has led to a sparse sample number and cannot meet the training requirements of deep learning image identification models.In order to increase the number of samples and improve the training effect of deep learning models,this paper proposes a tight sandstone image data augmentation method by combining the advantages of the data deformation method and the data oversampling method in the Putaohua reservoir in the Sanzhao Sag of the Songliao Basin as the target area.First,the Style Generative Adversarial Network(StyleGAN)is improved to generate high-resolution tight sandstone images to improve data diversity.Second,we improve the Automatic Data Augmentation(AutoAugment)algorithm to search for the optimal augmentation strategy to expand the data scale.Finally,we design comparison experiments to demonstrate that this method has obvious advantages in generating image quality and improving the identification effect of deep learning models in real application scenarios.

Analysis of elastic anisotropy of tight sandstone and the influential factors

Tight sandstone has a certain anisotropy. Using ultrasonic measurements of samples in three different directions and related matched experiments, this study systematically analyzes the pore structure and anisotropy of tight sandstone samples obtained from oil fields and compares results with those of shale. Results firstly show that the anisotropy of tight sandstone is mainly related to the compositional layering and thin interbedding which occur in different sedimentary environments. Tight sandstone has typical transverse isotropic medium characteristics, Young’s modulus increases in different directions with increasing confining pressure, Poisson’s ratio change is not obvious, anisotropic coefficients decrease with increasing effective pressure, and a certain linear relationship exists between ε, γ, and δ. This article finally summarizes anisotropy in different areas, thereby providing a foundation for the use of suitable appraisal models in different regions. This research can be used as an experimental reference for logging evaluation, seismic data interpretation, and fracturing develop of tight sandstones.

Characteristics and accumulation mechanism of tight sandstone gas reservoirs in the Upper Paleozoic, northern Ordos Basin, China

The Ordos Basin is a significant petroliferous basin in the central part of China.The Carboniferous and Permian deposits of transitional and continental facies are the main gas-bearing layers in the north part of the basin.The Carboniferous and Permian natural gas reservoirs in the northern Ordos Basin are mainly tight sandstone reservoirs with low porosity and low permeability,developing lots of ＂sweet spots＂ with comparatively high porosity and permeability.The tight sandstones in the study area are gas-bearing,and the sweet spots are rich in gas.Sweet spots and tight sandstones are connected rather than being separated by an interface seal.Sweet spot sand bodies are vertically and horizontally overlapped,forming a large gas reservoir group.In fact,a reservoir formed by a single sweet spot sand body is an open gas accumulation.In the gentle dipping geological setting and with the source rocks directly beneath the tight reservoirs over a large area,the balance between gas charging into tight reservoirs from source rocks and gas loss from tight reservoirs through caprock is the key of gas accumulation in tight sandstones.Both the non-Darcy flow charging driven by source-reservoir excess pressure difference and the diffusion flow charging driven by source-reservoir gas concentration difference play an important role in gas accumulation.The results of mathematical modeling indicate that the gas accumulation cannot be formed by just one of the above mechanisms.The diffusion of gas from source rocks to reservoirs is a significant mechanism of tight sandstone gas accumulation.

Evidence of the Near-Source Accumulation of the Tight Sandstone Gas in Northern Ordos Basin,North-Central China

The tight sandstone gas in Upper Paleozoic Formation of the northern Ordos Basin is a typical giant unconventional tight gas province. Evidences from geochemistry, reservoir geology and paleotectonic setting all verify that the present-day tight sandstone gas accumulation in the Ordos Basin is the result of near-source accumulation. The evidences are listed as following： tight sandstone gas is mainly distributed in the area with high gas-generating strength; gas composition was not subjected tofractionation; gas saturation significantly decreases with the distance away from the source rocks; gas isotopes suggest their origin is the same and maturity is consistent with in-place source rocks; reservoirs have experienced three types of densification digenesis, including intense compaction, siliceous cementation and calcareous cementation, which took place before the formation of a large amount of tight sandstone gas, forming tight reservoirs with low porosity and permeability, fine pore throat and great capillary resistance; the paleo-structural gradient ratio is small from the main hydrocarbon generation period to present. It is indicated the present distribution of tight sandstone gas in the northern Ordos Basin is the result of near-source and short-distance migration and accumulation.

Tight sandstone gas accumulation mechanism and development models

Tight sandstone gas serves as an important unconventional hydrocarbon resource, and outstanding results have been obtained through its discovery both in China and abroad given its great resource potential. However, heated debates and gaps still remain regarding classification standards of tight sandstone gas, and critical controlling factors, accumulation mechanisms, and devel- opment modes of tight sandstone reservoirs are not deter- mined. Tight sandstone gas reservoirs in China are generally characterized by tight strata, widespread distri- bution areas, coal strata supplying gas, complex gas-water relations, and abnormally low gas reservoir pressure. Water and gas reversal patterns have been detected via glass tube and quartz sand modeling, and the presence of critical geological conditions without buoyancy-driven mecha- nisms can thus be assumed. According to the timing of gas charging and reservoir tightening phases, the following three tight sandstone gas reservoir types have been identified： （a） ＂accumulation-densification＂ （AD）, or the conventional tight type, （b） ＂densification-accumulation＂ （DA）, or the deep tight type, and （c） the composite tight type. For the AD type, gas charging occurs prior to reser- voir densification, accumulating in higher positions under buoyancy-controlled mechanisms with critical controlling factors such as source kitchens （S）, regional overlaying cap rocks （C）, gas reservoirs, （D） and low fluid potential areas （P）. For the DA type, reservoir densification prior to the gas charging period （GCP） leads to accumulation in depres- sions and slopes largely due to hydrocarbon expansive forces without buoyancy, and critical controlling factors are effective source rocks （S）, widely distributed reservoirs （D）, stable tectonic settings （W） and universal densification of reservoirs （L）. The composite type includes features of the AD type and DA type, and before and after reservoir densification period （RDP）, gas charging and accumulation is controlled by early buoyancy and later molecular expansive force respectively. It is widely distributed in anticlinal zones, deep sag areas and slopes, and is con- trolled by source kitchens （S）, reservoirs （D）, cap rocks （C）, stable tectonic settings （W）, low fluid potential areas （P）, and universal reservoir densification （L）. Tight gas resources with great resource potential are widely dis- tributed worldwide, and tight gas in China that presents advantageous reservoir-forming conditions is primarily found in the Ordos, Sichuan, Tarim, Junggar, and Turpan- Hami basins of central-western China. Tight gas has served as the primary impetus for global unconventional natural gas exploration and production under existing technical conditions.

Diagenesis of the Triassic Yanchang Formation Tight Sandstone Reservoir in the Xifeng–Ansai Area of Ordos Basin and its Porosity Evolution

This work aims to reveal the evolution of the porosity in the Triassic Yanchang Formation tight sandstone reservoir of the Xifeng-Ansai area of Ordos Basin. Based on destructive diagenesis （compaction and cementation） and constructive diagenesis （dissolution） of sandstone reservoirs, this study analyzed the diagenesis characteristics of the tight sandstone reservoirs in this area, and discussed the relationship between sandstone diagenesis and porosity evolution in combination with present porosity profile characteristics of sandstone reservoir. The effect simulation principle was employed for the mathematical derivation and simulation of the evolution of porosity in the Yanchang Formation tight sandstone reservoirs. The result shows that compaction always occurs in tight sandstone reservoirs in the Yanchang Formation, and cementation occurs when the burial depth increases to a certain value and remains ever since. Dissolution occurs only at a certain stage of the evolution with window features. In the corresponding present porosity profile, diagenesis is characterized by segmentation. From the shallow to the deep, compaction, compaction, cementation and dissolution, compaction and cementation occur successively. Therefore, the evolution of sandstone porosity can be divided into normal compaction section, acidification and incremental porosity section, and normal compaction section after dissolution. The results show that the evolution of sandstone porosity can be decomposed into porosity reduction model and porosity increase model. The superposition of the two models at the same depth in the three stages or in the same geological time can constitute the evolution simulation of the total porosity in sandstone reservoirs. By simulating the evolution of sandstone reservoir porosity of the eighth member in Xifeng area and the sixth member in Ansai area, it shows that they are similar in the evolution process and trend. The difference is caused by the regional uplift or subsidence and burial depth.

Geological and Geochemical Characteristics and Exploration Prospect of Coal-Derived Tight Sandstone Gas in China： Case Study of the Ordos, Sichuan, and Tarim Basins

This work extensively investigated global tight sandstone gas, and geologically and geochemically analyzed the tight sandstone gas in China＇s Ordos, Sichuan, and Tarim basins. We compared typical tight sandstone gas in China with that in North America. We proposed six conditions for the formation of China＇s tight sandstone gas, and illustrated the geological characteristics of tight sandstone gas. In China, gas-bearing tight sandstones were mainly deposited in continental lake deltas and marine-terrigenous facies basin environments, associated with coal-measure strata, and were mostly buried deeper than 2000 in under a formation pressure of 20-30 MPa, with pressure coefficients varying from overpressure to negative pressure. In other countries, tight gas bearing sandstones were dominantly deposited in marine to marine-terrigenous facies environments, occurred in coal-measure strata, and were mostly buried shallower than 2000 m in low-pressure systems. We systematically analyzed tight sandstone gas in the Ordos, Sichuan, and Tarim basins in terms of chemical compositions, geochemical characteristics of carbon isotopes, origins, and sources. Tight sandstone gas in China usually has a hydrocarbon content of 〉95%, with CH4 content 〉90%, and a generally higher dry coefficient. In the three above-mentioned large tight sandstone gas regions,δ13C1 and δJ3C2 mainly ranges from -42%o to -28%o and from -28%o to -21%o, respectively. Type III coal-measure source rocks that closely coexist with tight reservoirs are developed extensively in these gas regions. The organic petrology of source rocks and the carbon isotope compositions of gas indicate that tight sandstone gas in China is dominantly coal-derived gas generated by coal-measure strata. Our analysis of carbon isotope series shows that local isotope reversals are mainly caused by the mixing of gases of different maturities and that were generated at different stages. With increasing maturity, the reversal tendency becomes more apparent. Moreover, natural gas with medium-low maturity （e.g., Xujiahe Formation natural gas in the Sichuan Basin） presents an apparent reversal at a low-maturity stage, a normal series at a medium -maturity stage, and a reversal tendency again at a high-maturity stage. Finally, we proposed four conditions for preferred tight sandstone gas ＂sweep spots,＂ and illustrated the recoverable reserves, proven reserves, production, and exploration prospects of tight sandstone gas. The geological and geochemical characteristics, origins, sources, and exploration potential of tight sandstone gas in China from our research will be instructive for the future evaluation, prediction, and exploration of tight sandstone gas in China and abroad.

Impact of rock type on the pore structures and physical properties within a tight sandstone reservoir in the Ordos Basin, NW China

The pore-throat systems and physical properties of tight sandstone reservoirs are complex,and deposition is thought to be a fundamental control for them.In this study,the impacts of the full ranges of rock types(from pebbly coarse sandstone to fine sandstone) on the pore structures and physical properties of the Permian tight sandstone reservoir in the eastern Ordos Basin were investigated comprehensively through a series of experiments including conventional physical testing,thin-section analysis,scanning electron microscopy,nuclear magnetic resonance analysis and high-pressure mercury injection tests.The results showed that the coarser-grained sandstones tend to have higher feldspar content and lower percentage of cements,leading to strong dissolution,weak cementation and improved porosity and permeability.The medium sandstone has the highest level of quartz and the lowest average content of feldspar,resulting in strong heterogeneity of physical properties.Only those medium sandstone reservoirs with relatively high content of feldspars have better physical properties.Additionally,the coarser-grained sandstones contain relatively large dissolution pores(nearly 200 μm),whereas the finer-grained sandstones have more intercrystalline pores with a relatively more homogeneous pore structure.The pebbly coarse sandstone and coarse sandstone reservoirs are favorable targets with best physical properties.