Research advances on the mechanisms of reservoir formation and hydrocarbon accumulation and the oil and gas development methods of deep and ultra-deep marine carbonates

Based on the new data of drilling, seismic, logging, test and experiments, the key scientific problems in reservoir formation, hydrocarbon accumulation and efficient oil and gas development methods of deep and ultra-deep marine carbonate strata in the central and western superimposed basin in China have been continuously studied.(1) The fault-controlled carbonate reservoir and the ancient dolomite reservoir are two important types of reservoirs in the deep and ultra-deep marine carbonates. According to the formation origin, the large-scale fault-controlled reservoir can be further divided into three types:fracture-cavity reservoir formed by tectonic rupture, fault and fluid-controlled reservoir, and shoal and mound reservoir modified by fault and fluid. The Sinian microbial dolomites are developed in the aragonite-dolomite sea. The predominant mound-shoal facies, early dolomitization and dissolution, acidic fluid environment, anhydrite capping and overpressure are the key factors for the formation and preservation of high-quality dolomite reservoirs.(2) The organic-rich shale of the marine carbonate strata in the superimposed basins of central and western China are mainly developed in the sedimentary environments of deep-water shelf of passive continental margin and carbonate ramp. The tectonic-thermal system is the important factor controlling the hydrocarbon phase in deep and ultra-deep reservoirs, and the reformed dynamic field controls oil and gas accumulation and distribution in deep and ultra-deep marine carbonates.(3) During the development of high-sulfur gas fields such as Puguang, sulfur precipitation blocks the wellbore. The application of sulfur solvent combined with coiled tubing has a significant effect on removing sulfur blockage. The integrated technology of dual-medium modeling and numerical simulation based on sedimentary simulation can accurately characterize the spatial distribution and changes of the water invasion front.Afterward, water control strategies for the entire life cycle of gas wells are proposed, including flow rate management, water drainage and plugging.(4) In the development of ultra-deep fault-controlled fractured-cavity reservoirs, well production declines rapidly due to the permeability reduction, which is a consequence of reservoir stress-sensitivity. The rapid phase change in condensate gas reservoir and pressure decline significantly affect the recovery of condensate oil. Innovative development methods such as gravity drive through water and natural gas injection, and natural gas drive through top injection and bottom production for ultra-deep fault-controlled condensate gas reservoirs are proposed. By adopting the hierarchical geological modeling and the fluid-solid-thermal coupled numerical simulation, the accuracy of producing performance prediction in oil and gas reservoirs has been effectively improved.

Facies-controlled volcanic reservoirs of northern Songliao Basin, NE China

Volcanic rocks of the late Mesozoic are very important reservoirs for the commercial natural gases including hydrocarbon, carbon dioxide and rare gases in the northern Songliao Basin. The reservoir volcanic rocks include rhyolite, andesite, Wachyte, basalt and tuff. Facies of the volcanic rocks can be classified into 5 categories and 15 special types. Porosity and permeability of the volcanic reservoirs arc facies-controlled, Commercial reservoirs were commonly found among the following volcanic subfacics： volcanic neck （Ⅰ1）, underground-explosive breccia （Ⅰ3）, pyroclastic-bcaring lava flow （Ⅱ3）, upper effusivc （Ⅲ3） and inner extrusive ones （ Ⅳ1）. The best volcanic reservoirs arc generally evolved in the interbedded explosive and effusivc volcanics. Rhyolites show in general better reservoir features than other types of rocks do.

Genesis of the low-permeability reservoir bed of upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation in Xinchang gas field,western Sichuan Depression

The genesis of a reservoir is a result of the combined action of deposition, diagenesis, tectonic reworking, and interaction of rock and fluid and the evolutionary environment. We discuss the genetic and evolution mechanism of a low-permeability reservoir bed of the Xujiahe Formation in the western Sichuan Depression on the basis of the study of diagenesis, diagenetic reservoir facies and the diagenetic evolution sequence. The research indicated that this reservoir bed can be divided into five types of diagenetic reservoir facies, namely strong dissolution, chlorite-lined intergranular pores, compaction and pressure solution, carbonate cementation and secondary quartz increase. There are, however, just two diagenetic reservoir facies which provide low-permeability reservoir beds, namely strong dissolution and chlorite-lined intergranular pores. We also analyzed their diagenetic evolution sequences and the origin of the low-permeability reservoir bed. Besides, it was also indicated that the composition and structure of sandstones, types of sedimentary microfacies, diagenesis history as well as the tectonic reworking in later periods are the main factors controlling the formation of the low-permeability reservoir bed. The above- mentioned factors establish the foundation for the forecasting the distribution of high quality reservoir beds.

Ordovician Carbonate Reservoir Bed Characteristics and Reservoir-Forming Conditions in the Lungudong Region of the Tarim Basin

Basic characteristics of Ordovician carbonate reservoir beds in the Lungudong region of northeastern part of the Tarim Basin are described in detail and the reservoir-forming conditions of oil and gas are preliminarily discussed in this paper by collecting and sorting out a large amount of data. The carbonate reservoir beds are mainly developed in open-platform and platform marginal facies; the reservoir beds have large changes in and low average values of physical property; the main type is fractured reservoir beds with the fracture-porous type second. The reservoir bed development is chiefly controlled by the distribution of sedimentary facies, tectonic activity and karstification. Whereas the accumulation and distribution of hydrocarbons in the region are controlled by an advantageous structural location, a good reservoir-caprock combination and a favorable transporting system, with the distribution characterized by zones horizontally and belts vertically, the oil and gas are mainly concentrated in areas with structural uplift, densely developed fractures, and surface karst, a vertical vadose zone, and a horizontal undercurrent belt of palaeokarst.

Comparative Study of Basins within Palaeogene Seaway in East China and Cretaceous Seaway in North America and Its Reservoir Significance

The well known Cretaceous seaway in North America was recognized in the middle of the last century and the Palaeogene seaway in East China was proposed by the author recently. The two seaways located on the opposite sides of North Pacific Ocean may be not a coincidence, and a comparative study was made in this paper. The results show that the two seaways inundated basins share several similarities particularly in basin origin, filling processes and reservoir facies. It is suggested that reservoir facies of estuarine sandstone and shelf bar sandstone related to sea level fluctuation, which are well developed in the Cretaceous seaway covered basins in North America might have been also developed here in Palaeogene seaway inundated basins in East China. Therefore it is worth paying more attention to finding these new reservoir facies on this side of the Pacific ocean. Evidences of sedimentology and ichnology indicate that good prospects are likely.

Combination and distribution of reservoir space in complex carbonate rocks

This paper discusses the reservoir space in carbonate rocks in terms of types,combination features,distribution regularity,and controlling factors,based on core observations and tests of the North Truva Oilfield,Caspian Basin.According to the reservoir space combinations,carbonate reservoirs can be divided into four types,i.e.,pore,fracture-pore,pore-cavity-fracture,and pore-cavity.Formation and distribution of these reservoirs is strongly controlled by deposition,diagenesis,and tectonism.In evaporated platform and restricted platform facies,the reservoirs are predominately affected by meteoric fresh water leaching in the supergene-para-syngenetic period and by uplifting and erosion in the late stage,making both platform facies contain all the above-mentioned four types of reservoirs,with various pores,such as dissolved cavities and dissolved fractures,or structural fractures occasionally in favorable structural locations.In open platform facies,the reservoirs deposited continuously in deeper water,in an environment of alternative high-energy shoals（where pore-fracture-type reservoirs are dominant） and low-energy shoals（where pore reservoirs are dominant）.

Palaeogeomorphology and its control on the development of sequence stratigraphy and depositional systems of the Early Silurian in the Tarim Basin

The Silurian in the Tarim Basin was deposited on the basement deformed by the Caledonian tectonic movements at the end of the Late Ordovician. The development and distribution of sedimentary sequences of the Early Silurian have been clearly controlled by the palaeogeomorphology of the Late Ordovician. Based on unconformity characteristics and distribution of erosion, several zones can be differentiated including a high uplifted erosion zone, a transitional slope zone and a depression zone. The central and west Tabei Uplift zones show high angular unconformity and intense erosion. The Tarim Basin in the late Ordovician shows characteristics of higher in the west, lower in the east while higher in the south, lower in the north. The Early Silurian mainly developed transgressive and highstand systems tracts on the whole, while the lowstand systems tract only developed partly below the slope break. The palaeogeomorphology controlled the elastic source supply and deposit distribution. Braided delta system and tidal flat-estuary system were deposited. The duration of uplifting of the Tazhong paleo- uplift was longer than that of the Tabei paleo-uplift, and deposition was later. This led to the lower and middle members of the Kepingtage Formation missing in that area. As a large-scale transgression occurred during the deposition period of the upper member of the Kepingtage Formation, sediment from the west of the basin was transported and deposited by tides and waves, forming tidal-marine debris systems above the uplift. Proximal alluvial fan and fan delta coarse elastic deposits developed in proximal uplift zone in the east and southeast of the basin, and braided delta put forward to the transitional zone between the edge of uplift and the sea. Large-scale tidal channel, sub-distributary channel and mouth bar of the delta front can form favorable reservoirs, and they are primary targets for oil and gas exploration. This research on sequence-depositional systems development and distribution controlled by palaeogeomorphology is significant in guiding the prediction of reservoir sandstones.

Control of paleogeographic pattern on sedimentary differentiation of evaporite-carbonate symbiotic system:A case study of the sixth sub-member of Ordovician Majiagou Formation M5 Member in central-eastern Ordos Basin,NW China

The relationship between paleogeographic pattern and sedimentary differentiation of evaporite-carbonate symbiotic system is examined based on logging,core and thin section data,by taking the sixth sub-member of fifth member of Ordovician Majiagou Formation(M56)in the central-eastern Ordos Basin as an example.(1)Seven sub-geomorphic units(Taolimiao west low,Taolimiao underwater high,Taolimiao east low,Hengshan high,East salt low,North slope and Southwest slope)developed in the study area.(2)The“three lows”from west to east developed dolomitic restricted lagoon,evaporite evaporative lagoon and salt evaporative lagoon sedimentary facies respectively,the"two highs"developed high-energy grain beach and microbial mound,and the north and south slopes developed dolomitic flats around land.(3)The paleogeographic pattern caused natural differentiation of replenishment seawater from the northwest Qilian sea,leading to the eccentric sedimentary differentiation of dolomite,evaporite and salt rock symbiotic system from west to east,which is different from the classic“bull's eye”and“tear drop”distribution patterns.(4)As the Middle Qilian block subducted and collided into the North China Plate,the far-end compression stress transferred,giving rise to the alternate highland and lowland in near north to south direction during the sedimentary period of M56 sub-member.(5)Taolimiao underwater high and Hengshan high developed favorable zones of microbial mounds and grain shoals in south to north strike in M56 sub-member,making them favorable exploration areas with great exploration potential in the future.

八面台油田单井产能控制因素研究

统计分析表明,八面台油田油井产能主要受断层、沉积微相和储层物性控制。对于构造油藏,位于断层上升盘的油井在投产初期要比位于下降盘上的油井产油量高、含水低、开发效果好。同时,高产井主要分布在距离断层50100 m的范围内,油井距离断层越远,获得高产井的概率越小,获得低产井、特低产井的概率就越大。岩性油藏的单井油气产能主要受沉积砂体控制,八面台油田部署在分流河道砂体上的油井开发效果最好,而位于三角洲前缘席状砂上的油井开发效果最差。

A new integrated approach to resolve the saturation profile using high-resolution facies in heterogenous reservoirs

The saturation calculation in complex reservoirs remains a major challenge to the oil and gas industry.In simple formations,a tendency towards simple saturation models such as Archie or Simandoux for clean and shaly reservoirs respectively is always preferable.These models were found to be working effectively in homogeneous formations within which the porosity and permeability are linked in the light of a simple facies scheme.Where the rocks show some degrees of heterogeneity,the well-logs are usually affected by different factors.This adversely results in a compromised or averaged log profiles that may affect the saturation calculations.Four wells drilled across a shaly sand of high heterogeneity have been studied in the Perth Basin,Western Australia.The aim is to resolve the hydrocarbon saturation and explain the high productivity results,despite the high water saturation,obtained through a conducted formation well test across the interested reservoir zones.A new integration technique between a suite of conventional and advanced logging tools together with the capillary pressure measurements has been carried out to generate a high-resolution reservoir saturation profile,that is lithofacies dependent.Three different independent methods were used in the studied wells to calculate the saturation and to reduce the uncertainty of the final estimated profiles.The methods are the resistivity-based saturation,the NMR-based irreducible saturation,and a new application through saturation height modeling.Furthermore,through the workflow,an effective calibration for the magnetic resonance T2 cutoff has been applied that is supported by the excellent reservoir production behavior from such complex reservoir.The methodology will help resolve the saturation calculation as one of the most challenging reservoir parameters,particularly where the resistivity logs are affected in complicated shaly sand environments.The effectiveness of the workflow shines the possibility to predict high resolution facies and saturation profiles in the lack of resistivity logs.A further possibility can complete the analysis on real time basis,which can certainly provide facies and saturation profiles extended to the uncored wells.Application of this methodology in the uncored wells has shown very encouraging results in various well trajectories,either vertical,deviated or horizontal long boreholes.

Fluvial facies reservoir productivity prediction method based on principal component analysis and artificial neural network

It is difficult to forecast the well productivity because of the complexity of vertical and horizontal developments in fluvial facies reservoir.This paper proposes a method based on Principal Component Analysis and Artificial Neural Network to predict well productivity of fluvial facies reservoir.The method summarizes the statistical reservoir factors and engineering factors that affect the well productivity,extracts information by applying the principal component analysis method and approximates arbitrary functions of the neural network to realize an accurate and efficient prediction on the fluvial facies reservoir well productivity.This method provides an effective way for forecasting the productivity of fluvial facies reservoir which is affected by multifactors and complex mechanism.The study result shows that this method is a practical,effective,accurate and indirect productivity forecast method and is suitable for field application.