Paleotopographic controls on facies development in various types of braid-delta depositional systems in lacustrine basins in China

Braid-delta depositional systems are widely developed in most continental basins in China. Research indicates that, for different types of braid delta, the facies sequence and association, which are critical to the prediction of the distribution of reservoirs, differ greatly. This study illustrates the differences in braid-delta depositional systems in terms of sedimentary characteristics, associated systems and reser- voir distributions using three typical paleodeltas in western China： the Zhenbei delta of the upper Triassic Yanchang Formation in the Ordos Basin, the Yuanba delta of the upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation in the Sichuan Basin and the Jimsar delta of the upper Permian Wutonggou Formation in the Junggar Basin. A stratigraphic framework was established using seismic data, logs and cores by choosing stable mud sections as regional correlation markers and, topographies of these deltas were reconstructed based on the decompaction and paleobathymetric corrections. Based on both the paleotopography of these deltas and the differences of their sedimentary facies, these braided deltas can be classified into two systems： steep-gradient braid-delta-turbidite system and low-gradient braid-delta-lacustrine system. Moreover, the low-gradient braid-delta-lacustrine system can be further divided into interfingered and sharp contact sub-types according to the contact relation between the delta sands and lacustrine muds. This study shows that the paleotopography of basin margins strongly controls the accommodation as braid deltas prograde into lacustrine basins and, influences the location of the shoreline in response to changes in the lake level. Furthermore, paleotopography plays a significant role in facies and reservoir distribution which is important for petroleum exploration and development.

Fan-Delta,Braid Delta and the Classification of Delta Systems

This paper mainly discusses the origin and deposhional features of fan-deltas and braid deltas. Fan-del-tas are storm discharge-dominated, while braid deltas are usually flashy flood-dominated. The two types ofdelta, like common deltas, were reworked by marine processes. Delta systems are classified into nine deltatypes on the basis of the subaerial depositional processes and the nature of marine reworking. Fan-deltas and braid deltas are of great significance for petroleum exploration. In divergent-marginforeland and intraplate rift-subsided basin settings fan-deltas often form combination traps for petroleum ac-cumulation.

Braid-Delta Deposits from a Broad Shallow-Marine Setting: the Middle Member of the Kalpingtag Formation in the Central Tarim Basin

During the early Silurian, a transgressive and vast shallow sea with flat sea-floor covered the central Tarim Basin (the Tazhong area). The depositional environment of the middle member of the Kalpingtag Formation is controversial. In order to provide a basis for the prediction of reservoir sand, the sedimentary facies are recognized according to abundant core observations and de- scriptions combined with well-log analysis, isograms, seismic interpretations and regional sedimentary background. The middle member of the Kalpingtag Formation, which shows a retrograding sequence, is interpreted as braid-delta deposits influenced by mi- nor tidal reworking. The sources of clasts are from the southern uplift. The subaqueous braid-delta deposits in the study area have some characteristics quite different from the common deltas that generally deposit in marginal seas. Four facies grouped to a delta front association are recognized, ranging from distributary-channel (Facies A), front bar (Facies B), sand sheet (Facies C) and inter- distributary bay (Facies D). The distributary channels construct the sandbody framework of the delta front. Front bar deposits, which are fine-grained with low depositional dips, display a near-continuous sand strip around the entire periphery of the delta. Sand sheet deposits are mainly found in front of Facies B, gradationally contacting with the prodelta. The interdistributary bay is essentially the uppermost unit capping the channel sequence and generally made up of laminated and massive mudstones. The delta front deposits display extensive sheet-like bodies contrasting with the characteristic wedge shapes of common subaqueous delta bodies. The bi- modal cross-stratification and mud drapes in the fine- to medium-grained sandstone in the distal area are inferred to reflect high-energy tidal processes.

Depositional Characteristics of Deltas and Their Relationship with Hydrocarbon Accumulation in the North Slope, Biyang Depression

Tectonic movements in the North Slope of Biyang Depression are comparatively mild and stable, thus generating two categories of deltas. Elementary reasons for the coexistence of deltas are the existence of the palaeodrainage pattern and the effect of palaeotopography. The sedimentary facies is the most elementary factor controlling the physical property of reservoirs. The layout and spatial combination model of the sand body and faults are the major influential factors on the occurrence of hydrocarbons. Comparative study on Houzhang and Yanglou Braided Deltas as well as Zhangchang and Gucheng Meandering Deltas suggests that the hydrocarbons distribute primarily in the mouth bar subfacies and secondarily in the distal bar subfacies of the braided delta, while the oil-water and aqueous layers are mainly found in the subaquatic distributary channel. Although the sand body of the meandering delta has excellent stratification and high porosity, the thickness is far less than that of the braided delta. Therefore, the yield of hydrocarbon is relatively low. The mudstone of the delta front subfacies is a kind of source rock with a high content of organic matter. The conducting system for oil/gas migration in the North Slope is a composite one comprising faults and sand- stone reservoirs. A large amount of oil/gas from the deep depression first migrated towards the slope along the sand body which stretches and connects with the source rocks, and then redistributed along the faults in the slope. After the movement reached a standstill, the faults formed the occlusion in the up-dip direction of the sand body, generating a great quantity of fault block hydrocarbon reservoirs in the Noah Slope.

Gradual Evolution from Fluvial Dominated to Tide Dominated Deltas and Channel Type Transformation: A Case Study of MPE3 Block in the Orinoco Heavy Oil Belt of the Eastern Venezuelan Basin

Based on the data of core description and sporopollen analysis,the gradual evolution of deltas in vertical direction and transition of channel types in the MPE3 block of the eastern Venezuela Basin have been surveyed by seismic phase and well logging facies interpretation.The results show that due to the great sea level rise,the sedimentary system of the Miocene Oficina Formation in the MPE3 block shifted from the distal-source sandy braided river delta to tide-affected delta,and eventually to tide-dominated delta.Vertically,during the early stage of sedimentation of Oficina Formation,the distributary channels of the delta were dominated by braided river channels.While in the later stage,as the tidal effect was gradually intensified,the channel changed from braided channel to meandering channel.On plane,as a result of differential transgression,sedimentary framework and distribution of sand bodies vary across the study area.Compared with the eastern part,the western part has more braided channels,larger channel bars,less developments of distributary bay and higher ratio of sand to mud.Whereas the braided channels in the south are larger than those in the north.It is the first time we pointed out the impact of marine transgression differences on the sedimentary facies distribution and river type transition in the study area.Factors like the structural and paleogeomorphological change,sea level variation,supply of sediments have strong influence on the evolution of sedimentary system and distribution of sandbodies.It is predicted that the major sandbody is more developed in the central south,which can guide the subsequent horizontal well development.

Depositional characteristics and petroleum geological significance of wetland

Wetland is a new type of sedimentary facies proposed for the first time in this paper. It is a type of sedimentary environment, transitional between land facies and water (sea or lake) facies. In this paper, wetland is redefined as “a type of sedimentary environments whose ground surface is flat and wet throughout the year, which may be covered with very shallow water (less than 2 m deep), and is covered with lush plant growth”. Wetland is reclassified into two types, swamp wetland (swamp in brief) and wet plain wetland (wet plain in brief). Swamp deposits are coal, while wet plain deposits are dark colored mudstones or silty mudstones rich in plant fossils and carbon debris. The deposits of wet plain are different from those of lake and floodplain in the abundance of plant fossils, color, resistivity well logging curve, and other sedimentary characteristics. In boreholes, resistivity logging can be used to distinguish between wet plain mudstones and lake mudstones. Understanding the sedimentary characteristics of wet plain wetland can help to identify wet plain deposits which were formerly classified as floodplain or lake deposits. This will help to reconstruct the palaeogeography and to understand the history of basin and climate evolution accurately, and is especially important in evaluation of the hydrocarbon generating potential of a basin. With the Jurassic Sangonghe Formation of the Yanqi Basin as an example, the identification characteristics of wetland are described.

Research on Thin Layer Structure Identification and Sedimentary Facies of Middle and Deep Layers Based on Reflection Coefficient Inversion—By Taking Dongying Formation of CFD Oilfield in Bohai Offshore as an Example

The sand layer B of Dongying Formation of CFD oilfield in Bohai offshore belongs to the middle deep layer of buried hill overlap deposit. Its reservoir distribution has the characteristics of large burial depth, thin thickness and rapidly lateral change. Because of low resolution of seismic data and overlying sand layer. It is difficult to identify and interpret the structure of sand layer accurately. The uncertainty of structure and reservoir restricts the fine development of B sand layer. In order to identify the top surface of reservoir effectively. The seismic data are processed by using the reflection coefficient inversion method. The results show that the inversion resolution of reflection coefficient is significantly higher than that of original data. The top surface of sand layer B and its overlying sand layer can be well identified and traced. Carrying out structural interpretation of B sand layer based on reflection coefficient inversion data and the microstructure and the formation tip extinction point are implemented. Based on the constraint of new interpretation level, the sedimentary facies plane distribution of B sand layer is described and make prediction of dominant reservoir development area in detail combining with sedimentary paleogeomorphology, along layer attribute section and limited drilling data. The research shows that the study area is mainly from the northwest material sources, the slope belt in the northwest is close to the lake shoreline with a gentle slope and shallow water depositional environment, which is located on the main transport and deposition channels. The shallow water gentle slope landform is suitable for forming large-area sand bar deposition, mainly composed of underwater distributary channel and debouch bars facies, which is the dominant reservoir development area. The research conclusion guides the deployment and implementation of the development well location effectively.

Reservoir architecture patterns of sandy gravel braided distributary channel A case study of Triassic Upper Karamay Formation,Xinjiang oilfield

The purpose of this study was to discuss shape,scale and superimposed types of sandy gravel bodies in sandy-gravel braided distributary channel.Lithofacies analysis,hierarchy bounding surface analysis and subsurface dense well pattern combining with outcrops method were used to examine reservoir architecture patterns of sandy gravel braided distributary channel based on cores,well logging,and outcrops data,and the reservoir architecture patterns of sandy gravel braided distributary channels in different grades have been established.The study shows:(1)The main reservoir architecture elements for sandy gravel braided channel delta are distributary channel and overbank sand,while reservoir flow barrier elements are interchannel and lacustrine mudstone.(2)The compound sand bodies in the sandy gravel braided delta distributary channel take on three shapes:sheet-like distributary channel sand body,interweave strip distributary channel sand body,single strip distributary channel sand body.(3)Identification marks of single distributary channel include:elevation of sand body top,lateral overlaying,“thick-thin-thick”feature of sand bodies,interchannel mudstone and overbank sand between distributary channels and the differences in well log curve shape of sand bodies.(4)Nine lithofacies types were distinguished in distributary channel unit interior,different channel units have different lithofacies association sequence.

Distribution prediction of the glutenite in Member 3 of Triassic Xujiahe Formation in Yuanba area,northern Sichuan Basin

Although the Triassic Xujiahe Formation in Yuanba area of northern Sichuan has a large amount of resources,the proportion of proved reserves to the amount of resources is low.Production of most of the pilot production wells is high at the initial stage,but it declines rapidly,mainly due to tight rock properties and strong heterogeneity of Xujiahe Formation.Thus,it is important to investigate the distribution of high-quality reservoirs.The Member 3 of Xujiahe Formation develops sandstone interbedded with mudstone,and its lateral thickness of different sandstone groups varies greatly,so it is a challenge to identify appropriate time windows for seismic attribute analysis,thus,so the prediction effect of the glutenite in the Member 3 of Xujiahe Formation.In this study,through analysis of core data and logging facies,single-well sedimentary microfacies subdivision is carried out.Single-well lithological interpretation is also studied with application of lithological identification technique.Then,lithological associations and its seismic responses at the top and bottom interfaces of each sandstone group in the Member 3 of Xujiahe Formation are well investigated,The lithological association with the glutenite above and the mudstone below the stratigraphic interface respectively,corresponds to a trough in seismic profiles;in this case,when extracting the seismic attributes of sandstone groups above the stratigraphic interface,only the difference of between drilling horizons and seismic horizons needs to be considered.The lithological association with the mudstone above and glutenite below the stratigraphic interface respectively,corresponds to a peak in seismic profiles;in this case,when extracting the seismic attributes of sandstone groups above the stratigraphic interface,influence of which should be eliminated;thus,a method of time window determination for seismic attribute extraction is established.Among amplitude,frequency,and phase attributes,the total peak energy has the good correlation with thickness of the glutenite at well sites and it also can reflect the distribution of distributary channels well.The results show that belt-like glutenite in each sandstone group in the Member 3 of Xujiahe Formation extends in a NW-SE direction and thins out toward the southeast,and the distribution of glutenite has certain inheritance in the longitudinal direction,the glutenite in the third sandstone group in the Member 3 of Xujiahe Formation(TX33)and the first sandstone group in the Member 3 of Xujiahe Formation(TX31)are both developed.