Three-Dimensional Modelling of a Multi-Layer Sandstone Reservoir： the Sebei Gas Field, China

Multi-layer sandstone reservoirs occur globally and are currently in international production. The 3D characteristics of these reservoirs are too complicated to be accurately delineated by general structural-facies-reservoir modelling. In view of the special geological features, such as the vertical architecture of sandstone and mudstone interbeds, the lateral stable sedimentation and the strong heterogeneity of reservoir poroperm and fluid distribution, we developed a new three-stage and six-phase procedure for 3D characterization of multi-layer sandstone reservoirs. The procedure comprises two-phase structural modelling, two-phase facies modelling and modelling of two types of reservoir properties. Using this procedure, we established models of the formation structure, sand body structure and microfacies, reservoir facies and properties including porosity, permeability and gas saturation and provided a 3D fine-scale, systematic characterization of the Sebei multi-layer sandstone gas field, China. This new procedure, validated by the Sebei gas field, can be applied to characterize similar multi-layer sandstone reservoirs.

Quantitative Characterization of Interlayer Interference in Multi-Layered Sandstone Reservoirs Offshore China

X oilfield is a typical multi-layer sandstone reservoir in offshore China. In the early stage, in order to obtain economic oil production, directional well was used to adopt a set of multi-layer combined production, which resulted in serious interlayer interference, water injection inrush and low reserve utilization. Based on the theory of single-phase unstable seepage flow and the theory of oil-water two-phase non-piston displacement, the author innovatively established a mathematical model of interlayer dynamic interference in multilayer sandstone reservoirs, revealed the influence law of main controlling factors such as permeability, viscosity, starting pressure gradient and reservoir type on interlayer interference, and innovatively formed a quantitative characterization theory of interlayer interference in multilayer combined oil production. The technical demarcation of offshore multi-zone combined oil production reservoir system is formulated and the recombination of oil field development system is guided.

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.

A Well Productivity Model for Multi-Layered Marine and Continental Transitional Reservoirs with Complex Fracture Networks

Using the typical characteristics of multi-layered marine and continental transitional gas reservoirs as a basis,a model is developed to predict the related well production rate.This model relies on the fractal theory of tortuous capillary bundles and can take into account multiple gas flow mechanisms at the micrometer and nanometer scales,as well as the flow characteristics in different types of thin layers(tight sandstone gas,shale gas,and coalbed gas).Moreover,a source-sink function concept and a pressure drop superposition principle are utilized to introduce a coupled flow model in the reservoir.A semi-analytical solution for the production rate is obtained using a matrix iteration method.A specific well is selected for fitting dynamic production data,and the calculation results show that the tight sandstone has the highest gas production per unit thickness compared with the other types of reservoirs.Moreover,desorption and diffusion of coalbed gas and shale gas can significantly contribute to gas production,and the daily production of these two gases decreases rapidly with decreasing reservoir pressure.Interestingly,the gas production from fractures exhibits an approximately U-shaped distribution,indicating the need to optimize the spacing between clusters during hydraulic fracturing to reduce the area of overlapping fracture control.The coal matrix water saturation significantly affects the coalbed gas production,with higher water saturation leading to lower production.

Dynamic interwell connectivity analysis of multi-layer waterflooding reservoirs based on an improved graph neural network

The analysis of interwell connectivity plays an important role in the formulation of oilfield development plans and the description of residual oil distribution. In fact, sandstone reservoirs in China's onshore oilfields generally have the characteristics of thin and many layers, so multi-layer joint production is usually adopted. It remains a challenge to ensure the accuracy of splitting and dynamic connectivity in each layer of the injection-production wells with limited field data. The three-dimensional well pattern of multi-layer reservoir and the relationship between injection-production wells can be equivalent to a directional heterogeneous graph. In this paper, an improved graph neural network is proposed to construct an interacting process mimics the real interwell flow regularity. In detail, this method is used to split injection and production rates by combining permeability, porosity and effective thickness, and to invert the dynamic connectivity in each layer of the injection-production wells by attention mechanism.Based on the material balance and physical information, the overall connectivity from the injection wells,through the water injection layers to the production layers and the output of final production wells is established. Meanwhile, the change of well pattern caused by perforation, plugging and switching of wells at different times is achieved by updated graph structure in spatial and temporal ways. The effectiveness of the method is verified by a combination of reservoir numerical simulation examples and field example. The method corresponds to the actual situation of the reservoir, has wide adaptability and low cost, has good practical value, and provides a reference for adjusting the injection-production relationship of the reservoir and the development of the remaining oil.

Gas-Water Production of a Continental Tight-Sandstone Gas Reservoir under Different Fracturing Conditions

A numerical model of hydraulic fracture propagation is introduced for a representative reservoir(Yuanba continental tight sandstone gas reservoir in Northeast Sichuan).Different parameters are considered,i.e.,the interlayer stress difference,the fracturing discharge rate and the fracturing fluid viscosity.The results show that these factors affect the gas and water production by influencing the fracture size.The interlayer stress difference can effectively control the fracture height.The greater the stress difference,the smaller the dimensionless reconstruction volume of the reservoir,while the flowback rate and gas production are lower.A large displacement fracturing construction increases the fracture-forming efficiency and expands the fracture size.The larger the displacement of fracturing construction,the larger the dimensionless reconstruction volume of the reservoir,and the higher the fracture-forming efficiency of fracturing fluid,the flowback rate,and the gas production.Low viscosity fracturing fluid is suitable for long fractures,while high viscosity fracturing fluid is suitable for wide fractures.With an increase in the fracturing fluid viscosity,the dimensionless reconstruction volume and flowback rate of the reservoir display a non-monotonic behavior,however,their changes are relatively small.

Laboratory study of fluid viscosity induced ultrasonic velocity dispersion in reservoir sandstones

Ultrasonic velocities of a set of saturated sandstone samples were measured at simulated in-situ pressures in the laboratory.The samples were obtained from the W formation of the WXS Depression and covered low to nearly high porosity and permeability ranges.The brine and four different density oils were used as pore fluids,which provided a good chance to investigate fluid viscosity-induced velocity dispersion.The analysis of experimental observations of velocity dispersion indicates that（1）the Biot model can explain most of the small discrepancy（about 2–3%）between ultrasonic measurements and zero frequency Gassmann predictions for high porosity and permeability samples saturated by all the fluids used in this experiment and is also valid for medium porosity and permeability samples saturated with low viscosity fluids（less than approximately 3 mP·S）and（2）the squirt flow mechanism dominates the low to medium porosity and permeability samples when fluid viscosity increases and produces large velocity dispersions as high as about 8%. The microfracture aspect ratios were also estimated for the reservoir sandstones and applied to calculate the characteristic frequency of the squirt flow model,above which the Gassmann’ s assumptions are violated and the measured high frequency velocities cannot be directly used for Gassmann’s fluid replacement at the exploration seismic frequency band for W formation sandstones.

Brittleness index and seismic rock physics model for anisotropic tight-oil sandstone reservoirs

Brittleness analysis becomes important when looking for sweet spots in tightoil sandstone reservoirs. Hence, appropriate indices are required as accurate brittleness evaluation criteria. We construct a seismic rock physics model for tight-oil sandstone reservoirs with vertical fractures. Because of the complexities in lithology and pore structure and the anisotropic characteristics of tight-oil sandstone reservoirs, the proposed model is based on the solid components, pore connectivity, pore type, and fractures to better describe the sandstone reservoir microstructure. Using the model, we analyze the brittleness sensitivity of the elastic parameters in an anisotropic medium and establish a new brittleness index. We show the applicability of the proposed brittleness index for tight-oil sandstone reservoirs by considering the brittleness sensitivity, the rock physics response characteristics, and cross-plots. Compared with conventional brittleness indexes, the new brittleness index has high brittleness sensitivity and it is the highest in oil-bearing brittle zones with relatively high porosity. The results also suggest that the new brittleness index is much more sensitive to elastic properties variations, and thus can presumably better predict the brittleness characteristics of sweet spots in tight-oil sandstone reservoirs.

Depositional and Diagenetic Controls on Sandstone Reservoirs with Low Porosity and Low Permeability in the Eastern Sulige Gas Field, China

In order to determine the genesis and the factors that control the low-porosity and low- permeability sandstone reservoirs in the eastern Sulige Gas Field in the Ordos Basin, systematic studies on the sedimentary facies and diagenesis were conducted by means of analysis of cores, thin sections, fluid inclusions, X-ray diffraction, cathode luminescence and scanning electron microscope. It was found that the sand bodies of the major gas reservoirs in the Shan1 section （P1S1） and the He8 section （P2H8） were formed during the Permian as sedimentary facies such as braided-channel bars, braided-river channels and point bars of a meandering river. Four types of diagenetic facies developed subsequently： in order from the best to the poorest properties these are type A （weak compaction, early calcite cement-chlorite film facies）, type B （moderate compaction, quartz overgrowth-feldspar corrosion-kaolinite filling facies）, type C （strong compaction, late calcite cement-quartz corrosion facies） and type D （matrix filling and strong compaction facies）. This diagenesis is undoubtedly the main reason for the poor reservoir properties of sandstone reservoirs, but the sedimentary facies are the underlying factors that greatly affect the diagenesis and thus the reservoir performance. Favorable diagenetic facies developed mainly in relatively small lithofacies such as braided-river channels, channel bars and point bars. The vertical distribution of the physical properties and the diagenetic facies of the reservoirs are related to the stratigraphic succession. Most of the sandstones between mudstones and thin beds of sandstone are unfavorable diagenetic facies. Analyses indicate that siliceous cementation can hardly be stopped by hydrocarbon filling. Authigenic chlorite could hardly protect the primary porosity. It not only occupies pore space, but also blocks pathways through sandstone reservoirs, so that it has significant influence on the permeability. Authigenic chlorite cannot be used as a marker for a specific sedimentary facies because it can be formed in different sedimentary facies, but it indicates high hydrodynamic conditions and presence of favorable reservoirs.

Spatial-temporal coupling between high-quality source rocks and reservoirs for tight sandstone oil and gas accumulations in the Songliao Basin, China

The spatial-temporal relationship between high-quality source rocks and reservoirs is a key factor when evaluating the formation,occurrence,and prospectivity of tight oil and gas reservoirs.In this study,we analyze the fundamental oil and gas accumulation processes occurring in the Songliao Basin,contrasting tight oil sand reservoirs in the south with tight gas sand reservoirs in the north.This is done using geochemical data,constant-rate and conventional mercury injection experiments,and fluid inclusion analyses.Our results demonstrate that as far as fluid mobility is concerned,the expulsion center coincides with the overpressure zone,and its boundary limits the occurrence of tight oil and gas accumulations.In addition,the lower permeability limit of high-quality reservoirs,controlled by pore-throat structures,is 0.1×10^-3μm^2 in the fourth member of the Lower Cretaceous Quantou Formation(K1q^4)in the southern Songliao Basin,and 0.05×10^-3μm^2 in the Lower Cretaceous Shahezi Formation(K1sh)in the northern Songliao Basin.Furthermore,the results indicate that the formation of tight oil and gas reservoirs requires the densification of reservoirs prior to the main phase of hydrocarbon expulsion from the source rocks.Reservoir“sweet spots”develop at the intersection of high-quality source rocks(with high pore pressure)and reservoirs(with high permeability).

K-Ar Dating of Authigenic Illites and Its Applications to the Study of Hydrocarbon Charging Histories of Typical Sandstone Reservoirs in Tarim Basin, China

The Tarim Basin in China comprises eight sets of sandstone reservoirs, five of which are investigated in detail in this study. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the hydrocarbon charging histories of reservoirs by applying K-Ar dating of authigenic illites. The ages of authigenic illites from the Lower Silurian bituminous sandstones in the Central Uplift area range from 383.5 to 235.2 Ma, suggesting that the Silurian oil accumulations were formed from the late Caledonian till the late Hercynian. The ages of authigenic illites from the Upper Devonian Donghe Sandstone reservoirs range from 263.8 to 231.3 Ma, indicating that hydrocarbon accumulations within the Donghe sandstone were formed mainly in the late Hercynian. The authigenic illites ages from the Lower Jurassic Yangxia Group sandstones in the Yinan-2 gas reservoir (Yinan-2, Kuqa Depression) range from 28.1 to 23.9 Ma, suggesting that the initial hydrocarbon charging occurred in the Miocene. The ages of the authigenic illites from the Lower Cretaceous sandstones in the Akemomu gas field (Ake-1, Kashi Sag, Southwest Depression) range from 22.6 to 18.8 Ma, indicating a probable early oil accumulation or early migration of hydrocarbon within this area. The illites from the Paleogene sandstones in the Dina-2 gas reservoir (Dina-201, Kuqa Depression) have a detrital origin; they cannot be used to study the hydrocarbon charging histories. The ages of authigenic illites in the underlying Cretaceous sandstones in the same well (Dina-201) range from 25.5 to 15.5 Ma, indicating that hydrocarbon charging in this reservoir probably occurred within the Miocene. This study highlights the potential of applying K-Ar dating of authigenic illites to investigate the timing of hydrocarbon charging histories of the Tarim Basin reservoir sandstones.

Donghe Sandstone Subtle Reservoir Exploration and Development Technology in Hade 4 Oilfield

Hade 4 oilfield is located on the Hadexun tectonic belt north of the Manjiaer depression in the Tarim basin, whose main target layer is the Donghe sandstone reservoir, with a burial depth over 5,000m and an amplitude below 34m, at the bottom of the Carboniferous. The Donghe sandstone reservoir consists of littoral facies deposited quartz sandstones of the transgressive system tract, overlapping northward and pinching out. Exploration and development confirms that water-oil contact tilts from the southeast to the northwest with a drop height of nearly 80m. The reservoir, under the control of both the stratigraphic overlap pinch-out and tectonism, is a typical subtle reservoir. The Donghe sandstone reservoir in Hade 4 oilfield also has the feature of a large oil-bearing area (over 130 km2 proved), a small thickness (average efficient thickness below 6m) and a low abundance (below 50 × 104t/km2). Moreover, above the target layer developed a set of igneous rocks with an uneven thickness in the Permian formation, thus causing a great difficulty in research of the velocity field. Considering these features, an combination mode of exploration and development is adopted, namely by way of whole deployment, step-by-step enforcement and rolling development with key problems to be tackled, in order to further deepen the understanding and enlarge the fruits of exploration and development. The paper technically focuses its study on the following four aspects concerning problem tackling. First, to strengthen the collecting, processing and explanation of seismic data, improve the resolution, accurately recognize the pinch-out line of the Donghe sandstone reservoir by combining the drilling materials in order to make sure its distribution law; second, to strengthen the research on velocity field, improve the accuracy of variable speed mapping, make corrections by the data from newly- drilled key wells and, as a result, the precision of tectonic description is greatly improved; third, to strengthen the research on sequence stratigraphy and make sure the distribution law of the Donghe sandstone; and fourth, with a step- by-step extrapolation method, to deepen the cognition of the leaning water-oil contact, and by combining the tectonic description and drilling results, to make sure little by little the law of change of the water-oil contact. The exploration and development of the Donghe sandstone subtle reservoir in Hade 4 oilfield is a gradually perfected process. From 1998 when it was discovered till now, the reservoir has managed to make a benign circle of exploration and development, in which its reserve has gradually been enlarged, its production scale increased, and, in a word, it has used techniques necessary for this subtle reservoir in the Tarim basin.

The tectonic fracture modeling of an ultra-low permeability sandstone reservoir based on an outcrop analogy: A case study in the Wangyao Oilfield of Ordos Basin, China

Due to inherent limits of data acquisition and geophysical data resolution, there are large uncertainties in the characterization of subsurface fractures. However, outcrop analogies can provide qualitative and quantitative information on a large number of fractures, based on which the accuracy of subsurface fracture characterization can be improved. Here we take the tectonic fracture modeling of an ultra-low permeability sandstone reservoir based on an outcrop analogy, a case study of the Chang6t~ Formation of the Upper Triassic Yanchang Group of the Wangyao Oilfield in the Ordos Basin of China. An outcrop at the edge of the basin is a suitable analog for the reservoir, but the prerequisite is that they must have equivalent previous stress fields, similar final structural characteristics, relative timing and an identical depositional environment and diagenesis. The relationship among fracture density, rock type and bed thickness based on the outcrop is one of the most important fracture distribution models, and can be used to interpret fracture density in individual wells quantitatively. Fracture orientation, dip, geometry and scale, also should be described and measured in the outcrop, and can be used together with structure restoration and single well fracture density interpretation to guide fracture intensity prediction on bed surfaces and to constrain the construction of the 3D fracture geometry model of the subsurface reservoir. The application of the above principles shows the outcrop-based tectonic fracture models of the target ultra-low permeability sandstone reservoir are consistent with fractures inferred from microseismic interpretation and tracer tests. This illustrated that the fracture modeling based on the outcrop analogy is reliable and can reduce the uncertainty in stochastic fracture modeling.

Genesis Types and Diagenesis Compaction Mechanisms of Sandstone Rreservoirs in Dynamic Environments in Oil/Gas Basins in China

The diversity of sandstone diagenesis mechanisms caused by the complex geological conditions of oil/gas basins in China could hardly be reasonably explained by the traditional concept of burial diagenesis. Three genesis types of thermal diagenesis, tectonic diagenesis and fluid diagenesis are presented on the basis of the dynamic environment of the oil/gas basins and.the controlling factors and mechanisms of sandstone diagenesis. Thermal diagenesis of sandstone reservoirs is related not only to the effect of formation temperature on diagenesis, but also to the significant changes in diagenesis caused by geothermal gradients. The concept of thermal compaction is presented. Thermal compaction becomes weaker with increasing depth and becomes stronger at a higher geothermal gradient. At the same formation temperature, the sandstone porosity in the region with a lower geothermal gradient is e^0.077＋0.0042T times higher than that in the region with a higher geothermal gradient. Both sudden and gradual changes are observed in diagenetic evolution caused by structural deformation. Average sandstone compaction increased by 0.1051% for every 1.0MPa increase of lateral tectonic compressional stress, while late tectonic napping helped to preserve a higher porosity of underlying sandstone reservoir. Fluid diagenesis is a general phenomenon. The compaction caused by fluid properties is significant. The coarser the grain size, the stronger the fluid effect on compaction. The greater the burial depth, the weaker the fluid effect on compaction for the specific reservoir lithology and the greater the difference in the fluid effects on compaction between different grain sizes.

Effects of effective stress and temperature on permeability of sandstone from CO2-plume geothermal reservoir

Rock is generally complex and heterogeneous,therefore the heterogeneity effects of effective stress and temperature on permeability should be taken into account.In this study,two-part Hooke’s model（TPHM） is introduced to understand the influences of effective stress and temperature on permeability of soft and hard parts（two parts） of rock based on coupling thermo-hydro-mechanical tests.Under a fixed temperature level（25 ℃.35 ℃.50 ℃.65 ℃.80 ℃.90 ℃ and 95 ℃）.the tests were carried out in a conventional triaxial system whereas the confining pressure was remained at 50 MPa.and the pore pressure was increased to the specified levels step by step.i.e.8 MPa,18 MPa.28 MPa.38 MPa.41 MPa,44 MPa.46 MPa and 48 MPa.The temperature-dependent relationships for two parts permeabilities are proposed on the basis of the initial test results.We point out that temperature of 65 ℃-90 ℃ is the threshold for the development of CO2-plume geothermal（CPC） reservoir sandstone cracking under low effective stress（2-9 MPa） based on the relationship between temperature and soft part permeability.Furthermore,we discuss the effect of temperature on the two parts in the rock.The results indicate that as the temperature increases from 25 ℃ to 65 ℃.the flow channel in the hard part has a stronger response to temperature than that in the soft part at a fixed effective stress level,which is opposite to the situation of effective stress.Considering that natural rock is generally heterogeneous with non-uniform pore structure,we suggest a physical interpretation of the phenomenon that before the thermal cracking threshold the two parts have different responses to temperature.

Siliceous Cementation of Chlorite-Coated Grains in the Permian Sandstone Gas Reservoirs,Ordos Basin

Objective It has long been controversial that whether authigenic chlorite coatings in sandstone reservoirs can prevent precipitation of siliceous cements. It is commonly believed that chlorite coatings （also called chlorite films, chlorite linings, or chlorite rims） may prevent quartz overgrowth, and thus help the preservation of original pores in sandstone reservoirs. Recently, however, this assumption has been challenged by reservoir geologists. This dispute cannot be solved by mere analysis of thin sections, nor by chemical equations and diagenesis analysis. The main objective of the present contribution is to shed light on this problem on the basis of sandstone samples from the Permian Shanxi and Shihezi Formations in the eastern part of the Sulige gas field, Ordos Basin in central China.

Detailed sedimentary facies of a sandstone reservoir in the eastern zone of the Sulige gas field, Ordos Basin

Given sustaining exploration, the eastern zone of the Sulige gas field may soon become a key area of exploitation. In order to explore its genesis, types and distribution of the reservoir sandstones in the eastern zone of this gas field, we focused in our study on the provenance and detailed sedimentary facies of sandstone of the He8 （the eighth part of the Shihezi formation, Permian system） and Shanxil （the first part of the Shanxi formation, Permian system） members, based on core observations, analyses in petrography, granularity and logging. The results show that： 1） the sandstone provenance of Shanxil and He8 in the eastern zone of the Sulige gas field is from the north of the Ordos Basin, characterized by dual directions from the north and northeast. 2） The He8 and Shanxil members were deposited in a fluvial-delta sedimentary system. The He8 was mainly deposited in braided rivers, in- cluding braided channels, channel bars, levee and floodplain sub-environments, whereas the Shanxil Member was deposited in braided rivers and deltas, including braided channels, channel bars, floodplains, tributaries and inter-tributary sub-environments. 3） Sedimentary facies bands migrated in drastic fashion towards the basin from the Shanxil to the He8 Member. Base levels of sedi- mentation generally present a trend of small increases in-amplitude, large decreasing amplitudes and slow and gradual Increases. 4） The continuity of the reservoir sandbodies along the source direction is better than that perpendicular to the direction. Compared with Shanxil, both dimensions and continuity of the sandbodies in He8 are better from which we conclude that it is the most fa- vorable part of the reservoir.

Pore Size Distribution of a Tight Sandstone Reservoir and its Effect on Micro Pore-throat Structure: A Case Study of the Chang 7 Member of the Xin’anbian Block, Ordos Basin, China

Pore distribution and micro pore-throat structure characteristics are significant for tight oil reservoir evaluation, but their relationship remains unclear. This paper selects the tight sandstone reservoir of the Chang 7 member of the Xin’anbian Block in the Ordos Basin as the research object and analyzes the pore size distribution and micro pore-throat structure using field emission scanning electron microscopy(FE-SEM), high-pressure mercury injection(HPMI), highpressure mercury injection, and nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) analyses. The study finds that:(1) Based on the pore size distribution, the tight sandstone reservoir is characterized by three main patterns with different peak amplitudes. The former peak corresponds to the nanopore scale, and the latter peak corresponds to the micropore scale. Then, the tight sandstone reservoir is categorized into three types: type 1 reservoir contains more nanopores with a nanopore-to-micropore volume ratio of 82:18;type 2 reservoir has a nanopore-to-micropore volume ratio of 47:53;and type 3 reservoir contains more micropores with a nanopore-to-micropore volume ratio of 35:65.(2) Affected by the pore size distribution, the throat radius distributions of different reservoir types are notably offset. The type 1 reservoir throat radius distribution curve is weakly unimodal, with a relatively dispersed distribution and peak ranging from 0.01 μm to 0.025 μm. The type 2 reservoir’s throat radius distribution curve is single-peaked with a wide distribution range and peak from 0.1 μm to 0.25 μm. The type 3 reservoir’s throat radius distribution curve is single-peaked with a relatively narrow distribution and peak from 0.1 μm to 0.25 μm. With increasing micropore volume, pore-throat structure characteristics gradually improve.(3) The correlation between micropore permeability and porosity exceeds that of nanopores, indicating that the development of micropores notably influences the seepage capacity. In the type 1 reservoir, only the mean radius and effective porosity have suitable correlations with the nanopore and micropore porosities. The pore-throat structure parameters of the type 2 and 3 reservoirs have reasonable correlations with the nanopore and micropore porosities, indicating that the development of these types of reservoirs is affected by the pore size distribution. This study is of great significance for evaluating lacustrine tight sandstone reservoirs in China. The research results can provide guidance for evaluating tight sandstone reservoirs in other regions based on pore size distribution.

Diagenesis and reservoir quality of the fourth member sandstones of Shahejie formation in Huimin depression,eastern China

Petrographic analysis combined with various techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, was used to assess the timing of growth and original mineral cements, the controls on reservoir and reservoir quality of the fourth member sandstones of Shahejie formation (Es4). The Es4 sandstones are mostly arkose and lithic arkose, rarely feldspathic litharenite, with an average mass fraction of quartz 51.6%, feldspar 33.8% and rock fragments 14.6% (Q51.6F33.8R14.6). They have an average framework composition (mass fraction) of quartz 57.10%, K-feldspar 5.76%, sodium-calcium feldspar 13.00%, calcite 5.77%, dolomite 5.63%, siderite 0.95%, pyrite 0.30%, anhydrite 0.04%, and clay mineral 11.46%. The diagenentic minerals typically include kaolinite, illite-smectite (I/S), illite, chlorite, authigenetic quartz and feldspar, and carbonate and pyrite. Es4 sandstone has undergone stages A and B of eodiagenesis, and now, it is experiencing stage A of mesodiagenesis. Reservoir quality is predominantly controlled by the mechanical compaction, for example, 45.65% of the original porosity loss is related to compaction. The original porosity loss related with cementation is only 26.00%. The reservoir quality is improved as a result of dissolution of feldspar, rock fragment and so forth. The porosity evolved from dissolution varies from 3% to 4%.

Classification of tight sandstone reservoirs based on NMR logging

The traditional reservoir classification methods based on conventional well logging are inefficient for determining the properties,such as the porosity,shale volume,J function,and flow zone index,of the tight sandstone reservoirs because of their complex pore structure and large heterogeneity.Specifically,the method that is commonly used to characterize the reservoir pore structure is dependent on the nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR)transverse relaxation time(T2)distribution,which is closely related to the pore size distribution.Further,the pore structure parameters(displacement pressure,maximum pore-throat radius,and median pore-throat radius)can be determined and applied to reservoir classification based on the empirical linear or power function obtained from the NMR T2 distributions and the mercury intrusion capillary pressure ourves.However,the effective generalization of these empirical functions is difficult because they differ according to the region and are limited by the representative samples of different regions.A lognormal distribution is commonly used to describe the pore size and particle size distributions of the rock and quantitatively characterize the reservoir pore structure based on the volume,mean radius,and standard deviation of the small and large pores.In this study,we obtain six parameters(the volume,mean radius,and standard deviation of the small and large pores)that represent the characteristics of pore distribution and rock heterogeneity,calculate the total porosity via NMR logging,and classify the reservoirs via cluster analysis by adopting a bimodal lognormal distribution to fit the NMR T2 spectrum.Finally,based on the data obtained from the core tests and the NMR logs,the proposed method,which is readily applicable,can effectively classify the tight sandstone reservoirs.