Distribution Patterns of Remaining Hydrocarbons Controlled by Reservoir Architecture of Distributary Channel with Different Channel Style: S2 Formation of Songliao Basin, China

1 Introduction Reservoir architecture analysis of distributary channel of Daqing oilfield has drawn consistent interest among development geologists and petroleum engineers over the last decade(Lv et al.,1999;Zhou et al.,2008;Zhang et

Role of Canal Lining on Groundwater Fluctuations: A Modeling Simulation Approach for Jaalwala Distributary, Bahawalnagar

Jaalwala Distributary was selected to see the consequences of concrete lining on the underlying saline groundwater table. Its middle and tail portions were concrete lined whereas the head portion was still unlined. Visual MODFLOW 2011.1 was used to simulate the effects of concrete lining on saline groundwater in two-dimensional format. Simulation results showed a gradual rise of electrical conductivity (EC) up to 7000 μS/cm and decline in water table depth to nine feet (2.74 m). It observed negligible inflows from the distributary through its western boundary due to formation of a permanent barrier in the way of seepage of any kind. Results have further predicted that freshwater layer available beneath the Jaalwala Distributary (before its lining) will finish ultimately and the below present saline water also move upward to take this vacated place. Hence it was concluded to line the canals of saline water areas from their sides which will not only protect them from erosion but canal water theft as well.

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.

Potential evaluation of saline aquifers for the geological storage of carbon dioxide: A case study of saline aquifers in the Qian-5 member in northeastern Ordos Basin

The well-developed coal electricity generation and coal chemical industries have led to huge carbon dioxide(CO_(2))emissions in the northeastern Ordos Basin.The geological storage of CO_(2) in saline aquifers is an effective backup way to achieve carbon neutrality.In this case,the potential of saline aquifers for CO_(2) storage serves as a critical basis for subsequent geological storage project.This study calculated the technical control capacities of CO_(2) of the saline aquifers in the fifth member of the Shiqianfeng Formation(the Qian-5 member)based on the statistical analysis of the logging and the drilling and core data from more than 200 wells in the northeastern Ordos Basin,as well as the sedimentary facies,formation lithology,and saline aquifer development patterns of the Qian-5 member.The results show that(1)the reservoirs of saline aquifers in the Qian-5 member,which comprise distributary channel sand bodies of deltaic plains,feature low porosities and permeabilities;(2)The study area hosts three NNE-directed saline aquifer zones,where saline aquifers generally have a single-layer thickness of 3‒8 m and a cumulative thickness of 8‒24 m;(3)The saline aquifers of the Qian-5 member have a total technical control capacity of CO_(2) of 119.25×10^(6) t.With the largest scale and the highest technical control capacity(accounting for 61%of the total technical control capacity),the Jinjie-Yulin saline aquifer zone is an important prospect area for the geological storage of CO_(2) in the saline aquifers of the Qian-5 member in the study area.

Lithofacies paleogeography mapping and reservoir prediction in tight sandstone strata: A case study from central Sichuan Basin, China

Sand-rich tight sandstone reservoirs are potential areas for oil and gas exploration. However, the high ratio of sandstone thickness to that of the strata in the formation poses many challenges and uncertainties to traditional lithofacies paleogeography mapping. Therefore, the prediction of reservoir sweet spots has remained problematic in the field of petroleum exploration. This study provides new insight into resolving this problem, based on the analyses of depositional characteristics of a typical modern sand-rich formation in a shallow braided river delta of the central Sichuan Basin, China. The varieties of sand-rich strata in the braided river delta environment include primary braided channels,secondary distributary channels and the distribution of sediments is controlled by the successive superposed strata deposited in paleogeomorphic valleys. The primary distributary channels have stronger hydrodynamic forces with higher proportions of coarse sand deposits than the secondary distributary channels. Therefore, lithofacies paleogeography mapping is controlled by the geomorphology, valley locations, and the migration of channels. We reconstructed the paleogeomorphology and valley systems that existed prior to the deposition of the Xujiahe Formation. Following this, rock-electro identification model for coarse skeletal sand bodies was constructed based on coring data. The results suggest that skeletal sand bodies in primary distributary channels occur mainly in the valleys and low-lying areas,whereas secondary distributary channels and fine deposits generally occur in the highland areas. The thickness distribution of skeletal sand bodies and lithofacies paleogeography map indicate a positive correlation in primary distributary channels and reservoir thickness. A significant correlation exists between different sedimentary facies and petrophysical properties. In addition, the degree of reservoir development in different sedimentary facies indicates that the mapping method reliably predicts the distribution of sweet spots. The application and understanding of the mapping method provide a reference for exploring tight sandstone reservoirs on a regional basis.

A New Understanding of Channel Patterns and Facies Models of the Shallow Lake Delta Facies of Fuyu Oil Reservoir in Songliao Basin,China

In the Fuyu Reservoir of Songliao Basin, there occur a series of well-developed peculiar shallow lake delta facies, which can be divided to such three ones as the upper delta plain subfacies, the lower delta plain subfacies, and the delta front subfacies. Among them the upper delta plain subfacies mainly grows proximal distributary channels; the lower delta plain subfacies mainly grows distal ones. The entire Fuyu Reservoir has mainly developed 7 kinds of distributary channel patterns： proximal/ distal meandering type distributary channels, proximal/distal low-sinuosity type distributary channels, proximal/distal straight type distributary channels, and subaqueous distributary channels. Among these patterns, the proximal and distal meandering type distributary channels have bigger thickness of point bar and better sorting and low content of mud; moreover, they are the major reservoirs and occur in the bottom of Quan-4th member. The sandbars of the subaqueous distributary channels have higher mud content, and serve as the poorer reservoirs, and mainly occur in the top of Quan-4th member.

Changes in Huanghe (Yellow) River estuary since artificial re-routing in 1996

With the combination of historical data, field observations and satellite remotely sensed images (Landsat TM/ ETM+ and CBERS), changes in Huanghe (Yellow) River estuary since 1996 when artificial Chahe distributary was built up were studied, mainly including water and sediment discharge from the river, tides, tidal currents, suspended sediment diffusion, coastline changes and seabed development. During following six and half years (up to the end of 2002), runoff and sediment loads into the river mouth declined dramatically. At the beginning of the re-routing, abundant sediment loads from the river filled up nearshore shallow water areas so that the newborn delta prograded quickly. With rapid decrease of sediment loads transported to the estuary, the delta retrograded. In 1997, subaerial tip of the abandoned delta receded 1.5km; its annual mean recession rate was about 150 m in following years. In addition, marine dynamic condition near the artificial outlet had also changed. Under the interaction of ocean and river flow, most of incoming sediment loads deposited in the vicin- ity of the outlet. Seabed erosion occurred at the subaqueous delta front. Between 1999 and 2002, erosion thick- ness averaged at 0.3 m in the subaqueous delta of 585.5 km2.

The concept, characteristics and significance of fluvial fans

The concept and characteristics of fluvial fan are elucidated through literature review and case analysis.Firstly,the concept and terminology of fluvial fan are introduced.Secondly,the progress and controversy on the formation mechanism,analysis methods and sedimentary models of fluvial fan are elaborated,and fluvial fan is compared with alluvial fan,river and lacustrine delta.Finally,ten identification signs of the fluvial fan are proposed.It is found through the study that development and scale of fluvial fan are affected by external factors such as climate,tectonic,provenance and wind field.The facies and lithofacies association inside the fan are controlled by the activity of the internal channel.It is pointed that fluvial fans are widely distributed in the world not only today but also in the geological history.The occurrence of fluvial fan will change the traditional continental deposition system dominated by alluvial fan-river-lacustrine.Meanwhile,the research of fluvial fan will be of great significance in the fields of sedimentology and oil and gas exploration.

Effects of water discharge on river-dominated delta growth

River-dominated deltas are commonly developed at modern bays and lakes and ancient petroliferous basins.Water discharge is an important variable at pay zone scales in river-dominated delta reservoirs,which affects deltaic sand distributions and evolutions.However,it's unclear how it influences riverdominated delta growth.This paper integrates Delft3 D simulations and modern analogs to analyze the effects of water discharge,considering growth time,sediment supply,and coupled effects of sediment properties.High water discharges lead to the formation of lobate deltas,and the water discharge of 1,000 m~3/s is a referenced threshold value.Fine-grained,highly-cohesive sediments increase the threshold values of water discharge at which the deltas become lobate from digitate,and vice versa.For the same simulation time,high water discharges favor more rugose shorelines,more distributary channels(especially secondary distributaries),and longer and wider deltas with more land areas.However,for the same sediment supply,high water discharges have few effects on shoreline roughness and the number of distributary channels.

Two new types of sandbars in channels of the modern Ganjiang Delta,Poyang Lake,China:Depositional characteristics and origin

Two new types of sandbars are found in distributary channels of the modern Ganjiang Delta,Poyang Lake,China,respectively named as branching-point bar(BPB) and merging-point bar(MPB).BPB is defined as sandbar formed at the branching point of a channel where one channel branches into two.MPB is defined as sandbar formed at the merging point of two channels.BPB results from current velocity decrease at the branching point.BPB,arrowhead-shaped and growing towards upstream through upstream accretion,can be divided into bar head,middle and tail.Bar head refers to the lower part of the bar below average low water level,submerges under water whether in rainy seasons or dry seasons,and no plants grow on it.Bar middle refers to the middle part of the bar between average low and average high water levels,and sparse plants grow on it.Bar tail refers to the upper part of the bar above average high water level,and plants grow densely on it.From bar head to bar tail,sediment becomes finer and sorting degree becomes poorer;plant fossils increase in number,and silting-mud layers increase both in number and thickness.Vertically BPB shows a fining-upward sequence.BPB can be classified into 3 types:baby BPB with only bar head,child BPB with bar head and middle,and adult BPB with bar head,middle and tail.Generally from the lower delta plain to upper delta plain,BPB becomes more and more mature.If a channel is suddenly abandoned,BPB at different stages may be preserved.MPB is very similar to BPB in depositional characteristics,and main differences lie in its origin and growth direction.Discovery of BPB and MPB has important implications in finding remaining oil in oilfields.Previously,geologists considered point bars on convex bank of meandering channels or longitudinal bars and transverse bars in the middle of braided channels as favorable locations for finding remaining oil.Our study shows such locations as branching points and merging points of channels are also significant because BPB and MPB develop at these locations.Remaining oil has been found at branching points of channels in Pubei Oilfield,Songliao Basin,Northeast China.