Application of fluid modulus inversion to complex lithology reservoirs in deep-water areas

It has been a challenge to distinguish between seismic anomalies caused by complex lithology and hydrocarbon reservoirs using conventional fluid identification techniques,leading to difficulties in accurately predicting hydrocarbon-bearing properties and determining oil-water contacts in reservoirs.In this study,we built a petrophysical model tailored to the deep-water area of the Baiyun Sag in the eastern South China Sea based on seismic data and explored the feasibility of the tri-parameter direct inversion method in the fluid identification of complex lithology reservoirs,offering a more precise alternative to conventional techniques.Our research found that the fluid modulus can successfully eliminate seismic amplitude anomalies caused by lithological variations.Furthermore,the seismic databased direct inversion for fluid modulus can remove the cumulative errors caused by indirect inversion and the influence of porosity.We discovered that traditional methods using seismic amplitude anomalies were ineffective in detecting fluids,determining gas-water contacts,or delineating high-quality reservoirs.However,the fluid factor Kf,derived from solid-liquid decoupling,proved to be sensitive to the identification of hydrocarbon-bearing properties,distinguishing between high-quality and poor-quality gas zones.Our findings confirm the value of the fluid modulus in fluid identification and demonstrate that the tri-parameter direct inversion method can significantly enhance hydrocarbon exploration in deep-water areas,reducing associated risks.

Application of 9-component S-wave 3D seismic data to study sedimentary facies and reservoirs in a biogasbearing area:A case study on the Pleistocene Qigequan Formation in Taidong area,Sanhu Depression,Qaidam Basin,NW China

To solve the problems in restoring sedimentary facies and predicting reservoirs in loose gas-bearing sediment,based on seismic sedimentologic analysis of the first 9-component S-wave 3D seismic dataset of China,a fourth-order isochronous stratigraphic framework was set up and then sedimentary facies and reservoirs in the Pleistocene Qigequan Formation in Taidong area of Qaidam Basin were studied by seismic geomorphology and seismic lithology.The study method and thought are as following.Firstly,techniques of phase rotation,frequency decomposition and fusion,and stratal slicing were applied to the 9-component S-wave seismic data to restore sedimentary facies of major marker beds based on sedimentary models reflected by satellite images.Then,techniques of seismic attribute extraction,principal component analysis,and random fitting were applied to calculate the reservoir thickness and physical parameters of a key sandbody,and the results are satisfactory and confirmed by blind testing wells.Study results reveal that the dominant sedimentary facies in the Qigequan Formation within the study area are delta front and shallow lake.The RGB fused slices indicate that there are two cycles with three sets of underwater distributary channel systems in one period.Among them,sandstones in the distributary channels of middle-low Qigequan Formation are thick and broad with superior physical properties,which are favorable reservoirs.The reservoir permeability is also affected by diagenesis.Distributary channel sandstone reservoirs extend further to the west of Sebei-1 gas field,which provides a basis to expand exploration to the western peripheral area.

Sedimentary elements,evolutions and controlling factors of the Miocene channel system:a case study of the deep-water Taranaki Basin in New Zealand

Deep-water channel systems are important petroleum reservoirs,and many have been discovered worldwide.Understanding deep-water channel sedimentary elements and evolution is helpful for deep-sea petroleum exploration and development.Based on high-resolution 3D seismic data,the Miocene channel system in the deep-water Taranaki Basin,New Zealand,was analyzed by using seismic interpretation techniques such as interlayer attribute extraction and strata slicing.The channel system was divided into five composite channels(CC-I to CC-V)according to four secondary level channel boundaries,and sedimentary elements such as channels,slump deposits,inner levees,mass transport deposits,and hemipelagic drape deposits were identified in the channel system.The morphological characteristics of several composite channels exhibited stark variances,and the overall morphology of the composite channels changed from relatively straight to highly sinuous to relatively straight.The evolution of the composite channels involved a gradual and repeated process of erosion and filling,and the composite channels could be divided into three evolutionary stages:initial erosion-filling,later erosion-filling(multistage),and channel abandonment.The middle Miocene channel system may have formed as a consequence of combined regional tectonic activity and global climatic change,and its intricate morphological alterations may have been influenced by the channel's ability to self-regulate and gravity flow properties.When studying the sedimentary evolution of a large-scale deep-water channel system in the Taranaki Basin during the Oligocene-Miocene,which transitioned from a passive margin to plate convergence,it can be understood how tectonic activity affected the channel and can also provide a theoretical reference for the evolution of the deepwater channels in areas with similar tectonic conversion environments around the world.

Automatic discrimination of sedimentary facies and lithologies in reef-bank reservoirs using borehole image logs

Reef-bank reservoirs are an important target for petroleum exploration in marine carbonates and also an essential supplemental area for oil and gas production in China. Due to the diversity of reservoirs and the extreme heterogeneity of reef-banks, it is very difficult to discriminate the sedimentary facies and lithologies in reef-bank reservoirs using conventional well logs. The borehole image log provides clear identification of sedimentary structures and textures and is an ideal tool for discriminating sedimentary facies and lithologies. After examining a large number of borehole images and cores, we propose nine typical patterns for borehole image interpretation and a method that uses these patterns to discriminate sedimentary facies and lithologies in reeI^bank reservoirs automatically. We also develop software with user-friendly interface. The results of applications in reef-bank reservoirs in the middle Tarim Basin and northeast Sichuan have proved that the proposed method and the corresponding software are quite effective.

Sedimentary Micro-facies and Macro Heterogeneity of Reservoir Beds in the Third Member of the Qingshankou Formation,Qian'an Area,Songliao Basin

An analysis of drill cores and well logs shows that the main micro-facies of the third member sand bodies of the Qingshankou Formation in Qian＇an are subaqueous distributary channel facies, sheet sand facies and subaqueous fan facies （olistostrome）. Maps showing the distribution of these micro-facies together with inter-channel bay and prodelta mocro-facies are presented for different time-slices （lower, middle and upper parts of the Qingshankou Formation）. These maps reveal the instability and change of sediment transport in the Baokang sedimentary system during the depositional period. Sediment transport was from the west in the early stage, from the south in the middle stage and from the northwest in the late stage. Values of thickness, porosity and permeability of the sand bodies in the third member of the Qingshankou Formation show that they have low to medium porosity and low permeability, and are characterized by serious reservoir heterogeneity. The joints between micro-facies and subaqueous fan micro-facies are characterized by the highest heterogeneity, the sheet sand and distal sand bar subfacies come next, and the heterogeneity of the subaqueous distributary channel sand bodies is relatively weak.

Geochemical characteristics and their significances of rare-earth elements in deep-water well core at the Lingnan Low Uplift Area of the Qiongdongnan Basin

A geochemical analysis of rare-earth elements （REEs） in 97 samples collected from the core of deep-water Well LS-A located at the Lingnan Low Uplift Area of the Qiongdongnan Basin is conducted, with the pur-pose of revealing the changes of sedimentary source and environment in the study region since Oligocene and evaluating the response of geochemical characteristics of REEs to the tectonic evolution. In the core samples, both∑REE and∑LREE （LREE is short for light-group REEs） fluctuate in a relatively wide range, while∑HREE （HREE is short for heavy-group REEs） maintains a relatively stable level. With the stratigraphic chronology becoming newer, both∑REE and∑LREE show a gradually rising trend overall. The∑REE of the core is relatively high from the bottom of Yacheng Formation （at a well depth of 4 207 m） to the top of Ledong Formation, and the REEs show partitioning characteristics of the enrichment of LREE, the stable content of HREE, and the negative anomaly of Eu to varying degrees. Overall the geochemical characteristics of REEs are relatively approximate to those of China＇s neritic sediments and loess, with significant ＂continental ori-entation＂. The∑REE of the core is relatively low in the lower part of Yacheng Formation （at a well depth of 4 207-4 330 m）, as shown by the REEs partitioning characteristics of the depletion of LREE, the relative enrich-ment of HREE, and the positive anomaly of Eu; the geochemical characteristics of REEs are approximate to those of oceanic crust and basalt overall, indicating that the provenance is primarily composed of volcanic eruption matters. As shown by the analyses based on sequence stratigraphy and mineralogy, the provenance in study region in the early Oligocene mainly resulted from the volcanic materials of the peripheral uplift ar-eas; the continental margin materials from the north contributed only insignificantly; the provenance devel-oped to a certain extent in the late Oligocene. Since the Miocene, the provenance has ceaselessly expanded from proximal to distal realm, embodying a characteristic of multi-source sedimentation. In the core strata with 31.5, 28.4, 25.5, 23, and 16 Ma from today, the geochemical parameters of REEs and Th/Sc ratio have significant saltation, embodying the tectonic movement events in the evolution of the Qiongdongnan Basin. In the tectonic evolution history of the South China Sea, the South China Sea Movement （34-25 Ma BP, early expansion of the South China Sea）, Baiyun Movement （23 Ma BP）, late expansion movement （23.5-16.5 Ma BP）, expansion-settlement transition, and other important events are all clearly recorded by the geochemi-cal characteristics of REEs in the core.

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.

Effects of water level fluctuation on sedimentary characteristics and reservoir architecture of a lake, river dominated delta

The hydrodynamic conditions present in a river delta's formation are a highly important factor in the variation between its sedimentary regulation and characteristics. In the case of the lacustrine basin river-dominated delta, water level fluctuations and fluviation, are both important controlling factors of the sedimentary characteristics and reservoir architecture. To discuss the effects of water level fluctuation on sediment characteristics and reservoir architecture of this delta, the Fangniugou section in the east of the Songliao Basin was selected for study. Based on an outcrop investigation of the lacustrine basin river-dominated delta, combining with an analysis of the major and trace chemical elements in the sediments to determine the relative water depth, through architecture bounding surfaces and lithofacies division, sedimentary microfacies recognition and architectural element research, this work illustrated the effects of water level fluctuation on the reservoir architecture and established sedimentary models for the lacustrine basin river-dominated delta under various water level conditions. The results show that there are 8 lithofacies in the Fangniugou section. The fan delta front, which is the main object of this study, develops four sedimentary microfacies that include the underwater distributary channel, river mouth bar, sheet sand and interdistributary bay. The effects of water level fluctuation on different orders geographic architecture elements are respectively reflected in the vertical combination of the composite sand bodies, the plane combination of the single sand bodies, the particle size changes in the vertical of hyperplasia in the single sand body, the coset and lamina. In the case of the sand body development of the petroliferous basin, varying water level conditions and research locations resulted in significant variation in the distribution and combination of the sand bodies in the lacustrine basin.

Prediction of multiscale laminae structure and reservoir quality in fine-grained sedimentary rocks:The Permian Lucaogou Formation in Jimusar Sag,Junggar Basin

Fine-grained sedimentary rocks have become a research focus as important reservoirs and source rocks for tight and shale oil and gas.Laminae development determines the accumulation and production of tight and shale oil and gas in fine-grained rocks.However,due to the resolution limit of conventional logs,it is challenging to recognize the features of centimeter-scale laminae.To close this gap,complementary studies,including core observation,thin section,X-ray diffraction(XRD),conventional log analysis,and slabs of image logs,were conducted to unravel the centimeter-scale laminae.The laminae recognition models were built using well logs.The fine-grained rocks can be divided into laminated rocks(lamina thickness of<0.01 m),layered rocks(0.01-0.1 m),and massive rocks(no layer or layer spacing of>0.1 m)according to the laminae scale from core observations.According to the mineral superposition assemblages from thin-section observations,the laminated rocks can be further divided into binary,ternary,and multiple structures.The typical mineral components,slabs,and T2spectrum distributions of various lamina types are unraveled.The core can identify the centimeter-millimeter-scale laminae,and the thin section can identify the millimeter-micrometer-scale laminae.Furthermore,they can detect mineral types and their superposition sequence.Conventional logs can identify the meter-scale layers,whereas image logs and related slabs can identify the laminae variations at millimeter-centimeter scales.Therefore,the slab of image logs combined with thin sections can identify laminae assemblage characteristics,including the thickness and vertical assemblage.The identification and classification of lamina structure of various scales on a single well can be predicted using conventional logs,image logs,and slabs combined with thin sections.The layered rocks have better reservoir quality and oil-bearing potential than the massive and laminated rocks.The laminated rocks’binary lamina is better than the ternary and multiple layers due to the high content of felsic minerals.The abovementioned results build the prediction model for multiscale laminae structure using well logs,helping sweet spots prediction in the Permian Lucaogou Formation in the Jimusar Sag and fine-grained sedimentary rocks worldwide.

Sedimentary Characteristics and Reservoir Prediction of Paleogene in the East Part of Kuqa Foreland Basin

Most of the Mesozoic and Cenozoic large-scale hydrocarbon-bearing basins in western China were formed in a similar foreland setting. Hydrocarbon exploration of the Kuqa foreland basin requires research into the sedimentary characteristics and filling evolution of the depositional sequences and their response to the basin process. Based on an analysis of outcrops, well logs and high resolution seismic data, the sedimentary system types and distribution characteristics of the Paleogene in the east part of Kuqa foreland basin were systematically studied. The results show that： （ 1 ） Three types of sedimentary systems are developed in the area： an oxidative salty wide shallow lacustrine system, a fan delta system and an evaporitic bordersea system. （2） The configuration and evolution of the depositional systems of the Paleogene in the Kuqa foreland basin were predominantly determined by foreland tectonism. Vertically, the Paleogene sedimentary sequence can be divided into three parts： the lower, middle and upper depositional system tracts. The lower and upper tracts commonly consist of progradational or aggradational sequences, while the middle part is usually comprised of a set of aggradational to transgressive third-order sequences. Laterally, the sedimentary systems in the east part of the Kuqa foreland basin spread from east to west as a whole, and the sedimentary facies obviously vary from south to north. The sand bodies of the delta front facies are excellent gas reservoirs, characterized by rather thick, extensive and continuous distribution, high porosity and permeability, and just a few barrier beds.

Reservoir Characteristics of Fine-grained Sedimentary Rocks in Saline Lakes in the Cenozoic Upper Ganchaigou Formation,Southwestern Qaidam Basin,NW China

Cenozoic fine-grained sedimentary rocks in the southwestern Qaidam Basin,as typical salinized lacustrine sediments,are significantly different from those in other freshwater lakes under the impact of the high salinity in the lake.Many fine-grained sedimentary rock samples were selected from the lower member of Neogene(N_(1))in the Gaskule Oilfield,Qaidam Basin,northwest China,with the aim to analyze and test their petrology,pore structure,and organic geochemical characteristics and determine its genesis and geological significance.Based on previous results,a new genesis of mixed sedimentary rocks is proposed.The Cenozoic lacustrine fine-grained sedimentary rocks in SW Qaidam Basin belong to mixed sedimentary rocks,which can be divided into three types,including carbonate and terrigenous clastic-bearing mudstone,carbonate-bearing to terrigenous clastic mixed sedimentary rocks,and carbonate-terrigenous clastic mixed sedimentary rocks.The geneses of mixing are quite different from that of mixed marine rocks.According to the sedimentary characteristics of the salinized lakes,three new geneses of mixed deposits are proposed:syn-sedimentary mixing,varve interbedded mixing,and biogenic mixing.The reservoir spaces of the Cenozoic lacustrine fine-grained sedimentary rocks in SW Qaidam Basin include residual intergranular pores,intercrystalline pores,microfractures,and minor dissolved pores.The reservoirs have super-low porosity and ultra-low permeability,with a porosity of 1.82%-21.04%,averaging 7.71%,and permeability of(0.0028-254.86)×10^(−3)μm^(2),averaging 2.82×10^(−3)μm^(2).The test results of total organic carbon(TOC)content show that the highest content of organic carbon reached 1.41%,and those of vitrinite reflectance show that Ro ranges from 0.525%-0.824%,with an average of 0.806%.The organic geochemical characteristics show that the fine-grained mixed sedimentary rocks of SW Qaidam Basin have the potential for self-generation and self-storage.As an unconventional reservoir,it has potential industrial value.This is the first study of fine-grained sedimentary rocks in the Qaidam Basin,which offers certain theoretical and practical values.

Sedimentary diagenesis of rudist shoal and its control on reservoirs: A case study of Cretaceous Mishrif Formation, H Oilfield, Iraq

Based on the core, cast thin section, whole rock analysis, conventional physical properties and high pressure mercury intrusion test, the sedimentary diagenesis characteristics of rudist shoal in Cretaceous Mishrif Formation of H Oilfield, Iraq and its control on the reservoir were studied. The rudist shoal of the Mishrif Formation develops in the high-stand systems tract and is distributed in the high places of paleogeomorphology on the edge of platform with strong hydrodynamic force. According to the relative sea level changes, lithologic evolution and sedimentary structure characteristics of the rudist shoal, the single rudist shoal is divided into four lithologic sections: A, B, C and D, that is, low-angle cross-bedding pelletoids-rudist packstone, low-angle cross-bedding and parallel bedding arene-rudist grainstone, parallel bedding rudist gravel limestone, and horizontal bedding carbonaceous mudstone. The complete sedimentary sequence of a single rudist shoal is often disrupted. Several rudist shoals superimpose to form thick rudist shoal sediment. The single rudist shoal thickness and lithologic sections assemblage change regularly in vertical direction. The rudist shoal has the characteristics of "strong dissolution, weak cementation and strong compaction", forming pore-type reservoir with intergranular pores, intergranular dissolved pores, mold pores, and dissolved pores. With mainly coarse pore throats larger than 5 μm, the reservoir is of medium-high porosity and high permeability. There is lithological reverse cycles inside single shoals and between single shoals, with content of mud crystals decreasing from the bottom to the top, dissolution increasing, cementation decreasing in strength, pore throats getting larger, and physical properties turning better. The rudist shoal of MB2-1 at the top of the high-stand systems tract has the largest thickness, moreover, subject to the strongest atmospheric freshwater leaching, this layer has the most significant dissolution and the largest pore throat, so it is the best reservoir of the Mishrif Formation.

Sequence sedimentary evolution and reservoir distribution in the third and fourth members of Sinian Dengying Formation,Gaomo area,Sichuan Basin,SW China

Based on comprehensive analysis of cores,thin sections,logging and seismic data,the sequence stratigraphy and sedimentary evolution of the third and fourth members of Sinian Dengying Formation(Deng 3 and Deng 4 members for short)in the Gaomo area of Sichuan Basin were investigated,and the favorable zones for reservoir development in the Deng 3 Member and Deng 4 Member were predicted.(1)Two Type I and one Type II sequence boundaries are identified in the Deng 3 and Deng 4 members.Based on the identified sequence boundaries,the Deng 3 and Deng 4 members can be divided into two third order sequences SQ3 and SQ4,which are well-developed,isochronal and traceable in this area;the SQ3 thins from west to the east,and the SQ4 thins from northwest to southeast.(2)The sedimentary environment from the depositional period of SQ3 to SQ4 has experienced the evolution from mixed platform to rimmed platform,and the platform rimmed system on the west side is characterized by the development of platform margin microbial mound and grain shoal assemblages.The intraplatform area is a restricted platform facies composed of a variety of dolomites,and there are local micro-geomorphic highlands of different scales and scattered intraplatform mounds and shoals.(3)The Deng 4 Member reservoirs,with obvious facies-controlled characteristic,are mainly distributed in the upper part of high-frequency upward shallow cycle and the high-stand systems tract of the third-order sequence vertically,and are more developed in the platform margin belt than in the intraplatform belt,and more developed in the Gaoshiti platform margin belt than in the west Suining platform margin belt on the plane.(4)Three types of favorable reservoir zones of Deng 4 Member have been finely delineated with 3D seismic data;among them,the mound and shoal facies zones developed in the ancient highlands of the intraplatform are the first choice for the next exploration and development of the Deng 4 Member.

Sedimentology and Ichnology of Upper Montney Formation Tight Gas Reservoir, Northeastern British Columbia, Western Canada Sedimentary Basin

Several decades of conventional oil and gas production in Western Canada Sedimentary Basin (WCSB) have resulted in maturity of the basin, and attention is shifting to alternative hydrocarbon reservoir system, such as tight gas reservoir of the Montney Formation, which consists of siltstone with subordinate interlaminated very fine-grained sandstone. The Montney Formation resource play is one of Canada’s prime unconventional hydrocarbon reservoir, with reserve estimate in British Columbia (Natural Gas reserve = 271 TCF), Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG = 12,647 million barrels), and oil reserve (29 million barrels). Based on sedimentological and ichnological criteria, five lithofacies associations were identified in the study interval: Lithofacies F-1 (organic rich, wavy to parallel laminated, black colored siltstone);Lithofacies F-2 (very fine-grained sandstone interbedded with siltstone);Lithofacies F-3A (bioturbated silty-sandstone attributed to the Skolithos ichnofacies);Lithofacies F-3B (bioturbated siltstone attributed to Cruziana ichnofacies);Lithofacies F-4 (dolomitic, very fine-grained sandstone);and Lithofacies F-5 (massive siltstone). The depositional environments interpreted for the Montney Formation in the study area are lower shoreface through proximal offshore to distal offshore settings. Rock-Eval data (hydrogen Index and Oxygen Index) shows that Montney sediments contains mostly gas prone Type III/IV with subordinate Type II kerogen, TOC ranges from 0.39 - 3.54 wt% with a rare spike of 10.9 wt% TOC along the Montney/Doig boundary. Vitrinite reflectance data and Tmax show that thermal maturity of the Montney Formation is in the realm of “peak gas” generation window. Despite the economic significance of the Montney unconventional “resource-play”, however, the location and predictability of the best reservoir interval remain conjectural in part because the lithologic variability of the optimum reservoir lithologies has not been adequately characterized. This study presents lithofacies and ichnofacies analyses of the Montney Formation coupled with Rock-Eval geochemistry to interpret the sedimentology, ichnology, and reservoir potential of the Montney Formation tight gas reservoir in Fort St. John study area (T86N, R23W and T74N, R13W), northeastern British Columbia, western Canada.

Sedimentary Characteristics and Response to Climate Change and Human Activities in Shilianghe Reservoir,Jiangsu Province

Reservoirs,as artificial lakes,suffer from silting inevitably since being constructed,the sediments from surrounding environment can provide a continuous record of environmental change.Shilianghe Reservoir,the largest artificial lake in Jiangsu Province,was constructed in 1959,and plays an important role in flood control,irrigation,water supply,and so on.Nevertheless,the silting situation of the reservoir is also quite serious.In this paper,the grain-size distribution of core from Shilianghe Reservoir and its response to environmental changes were studied.It is due to two driving factors:climate variability and human activities.Based on the analysis of the grain size distribution data,the sediments were mainly composed of clayey silt and silty clay with a clear tendency of upward fining.But a grain-size peak appeared at 86 cm,and the sand proportion was also very big,indicating that hydrodynamic force was stronger.There was a consistent trend of change between sediment record in Shilianghe Reservoir and historical precipitation in the basin.According to the dating mark of137 Cs,it can be determined primarily that the abnormal grain-size at 86 cm reflected possibly the rainstorm and flood event occurring in 1970.Human activities reduced the hydrodynamics of depositional environment.Hydraulic projects are direct human activities,and land use/cover changes are indirect human activities.It turned out that sediment yield and sediment load were more and more less,and sedimentation rate showed a decreasing trend.Furthermore,sediments tended to become smaller and had better sorting property.

Theoretical and technical progress in exploration practice of the deep-water large oil fields, Santos Basin, Brazil

The history and results of petroleum exploration in the Santos Basin, Brazil are reviewed. The regularity of hydrocarbon enrichment and the key exploration technologies are summarized and analyzed using the seismic, gravity, magnetic and drilling data. It is proposed that the Santos Basin had a structural pattern of two uplifts and three depressions and the Aram-Uirapuru uplift belt controlled the hydrocarbon accumulation. It is believed that the main hydrocarbon source kitchen in the rift period controlled the hydrocarbon-enriched zones, paleo-structures controlled the scale and quality of lacustrine carbonate reservoirs, and continuous thick salt rocks controlled the hydrocarbon formation and preservation. The process and mechanism of reservoirs being transformed by CO_(2)charging were revealed. Five key exploration technologies were developed,including the variable-velocity mapping for layer-controlled facies-controlled pre-salt structures, the prediction of lacustrine carbonate reservoirs, the prediction of intrusive/effusive rock distribution, the detection of hydrocarbons in lacustrine carbonates, and the logging identification of supercritical CO_(2)fluid. These theoretical recognitions and exploration technologies have contributed to the discovery of deep-water super-large reservoirs under CNODC projects in Brazil, and will guide the further exploration of deep-water large reservoirs in the Santos Basin and other similar regions.

Sedimentary and reservoir architectures of MB1-2 sub-member of Middle Cretaceous Mishrif Formation of Halfaya Oilfield in Iraq

Based on comprehensive analysis of core,cast thin section,logging and seismic data,the sedimentary and reservoir architectures of the MB 1-2 sub-member of Mishrif Formation in Halfaya Oilfield,Iraq,are studied.The MB 1-2 sub-member of Mishrif Formation has three types of microfacies,lagoon,bioclastic shoal,and tidal channel,and facies architecture controlled by sequence stratigraphy.In the 4th-order sequence,the lagoon facies aggradated vertically,and the bioclastic shoals in lenticular shape embed in the background of lagoon,the end of the sequence is incised by the"meandering river"shape tide channel,which represents the depositional discontinuity.Three types of reservoirs including tidal channel grainstone to packstone reservoirs,bioclastic shoal grainstone to packstone reservoirs and dissolved lagoon wackestone reservoirs are developed.The reservoir architectures within tidal channel and bioclastic shoal are strickly controlled by grainy facies,whereas the dissolved lagoon reservoirs controlled by both facies and dissolution are related to the sequence boundary.The reservoir sections occur mainly in the 4 th sequence highstand systems tract(HST)and are separated by barriers formed in the transgressive systems tract(TST).Complicated facies architecture and dissolution modification resulted in strong heterogeneity within the reservoir,which showed the characteristics of"attic type"architecture.The results of this study can guide the development of similar reservoirs in the Middle East.

A global satellite survey of density plumes at river mouths and at other environments: Plume configurations, external controls, and implications for deep-water sedimentation

The U. S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA) has archived thousands of satellite images of density plumes in its online publishing outlet called 'Earth Observatory' since 1999. Although these images are in the public domain, there has not been any systematic compilation of configurations of density plumes associated with various sedimentary environments and processes. This article, based on 45 case studies covering 21 major rivers(e.g., Amazon, Betsiboka, Congo [Zaire], Copper, Hugli [Ganges], Mackenzie, Mississippi, Niger, Nile, Rhone, Rio de la Plata, Yellow, Yangtze, Zambezi, etc.) and six different depositional environments(i.e., marine, lacustrine, estuarine, lagoon, bay, and reef), is the first attempt in illustrating natural variability of configurations of density plumes in modern environments. There are, at least, 24 configurations of density plumes. An important finding of this study is that density plumes are controlled by a plethora of 18 oceanographic, meteorological, and other external factors. Examples are: 1) Yellow River in China by tidal shear front and by a change in river course; 2) Yangtze River in China by shelf currents and vertical mixing by tides in winter months; 3) Rio de la Plata Estuary in Argentina and Uruguay by Ocean currents; 4) San Francisco Bay in California by tidal currents; 5) Gulf of Manner in the Indian Ocean by monsoonal currents; 6) Egypt in Red Sea by Eolian dust; 7) U.S. Atlantic margin by cyclones; 8) Sri Lanka by tsunamis; 9) Copper River in Alaska by high-gradient braid delta; 10) Lake Erie by seiche; 11) continental margin off Namibia by upwelling; 12) Bering Sea by phytoplankton; 13) the Great Bahama Bank in the Atlantic Ocean by fish activity; 14) Indonesia by volcanic activity; 15) Greenland by glacial melt; 16) South Pacific Ocean by coral reef; 17) Carolina continental Rise by pockmarks; and 18) Otsuchi Bay in Japan by internal bore. The prevailing trend in promoting a single type of river-flood triggered hyperpycnal flow is flawed because there are 16 types of hyperpycnal flows. River-flood derived hyperpycnal flows are muddy in texture and they occur close to the shoreline in inner shelf environments. Hyperpycnal flows are not viable transport mechanisms of sand and gravel across the shelf into the deep sea. The available field observations suggest that they do not form meter-thick sand layers in deep water settings. For the above reasons, river-flood triggered hyperpycnites are considered unsuitable for serving as petroleum reservoirs in deep-water environments until proven otherwise.

Reservoir Characteristics and Main Controlling Factors of the Flow III Section of the K Oilfield in the Weixinan Depression

In order to clarify the reservoir characteristics and main controlling factors of the flow three section of the K oil field in the Weixinan Depression, a study on the reservoir characteristics and main controlling factors of the flow three section of the K oil field in the Weixinan Depression has been carried out by utilizing the data of cores, casting thin sections, physical property tests and logging wells. The results show that the lithology of the reservoir in the flow three section of the study area is dominated by coarse sandstone and medium sandstone, followed by conglomerate-bearing sandstone and sand conglomerate. The porosity is mainly distributed in the range of medium-high porosity, and the permeability is mainly medium seepage, and the overall physical properties are good. The three sections of the stream in the study area mainly include four sedimentary microphases, namely, underwater diversion channel, estuarine dam, mat sand and inter-diversion bay. The underwater diversion channel has the best physical properties, characterized by coarse grains and low mud content. The medium and coarse sand content of various lithologic reservoirs is the main factor in the formation of high-quality reservoirs. Rock-forming action is an important factor affecting the physical properties of local reservoirs, comparing the compaction, cementation and dissolution between different sedimentary microphases, the underwater diverging river has the lowest rate of compaction and pore reduction, the highest rate of pore increase by dissolution, and the best physical properties. Therefore, the weakly cemented-strongly dissolved coarse sandstone phase developed in the microphase of the underwater diversion channel in section 3 of the flow in the study area is the most favorable reservoir.

Evaluation of Chang 2 Reservoir in Zichang Area, Ordos Basin

In this paper, the Chang 2 reservoir in Zichang Area of Ordos Basin, the second largest sedimentary basin in China, is classified and evaluated by using logging and core data, thin section identification and electron microscopy. The main sedimentary microfacies of Chang 213 is braided river delta sedimentary system in geological history, and there are three main sedimentary microfacies types: swamp microfacies, distributary channel microfacies and natural embankment microfacies on land. The heterogeneity in the study area is as follows: Chang 212 formation has the strongest heterogeneity, followed by Chang 211 formation with strong heterogeneity, and finally Chang 213 formation with medium heterogeneity. The reservoirs of Chang 2 member in the study area are dominated by IIIa, IIb and IIIb, and the reservoirs are mainly composed of ultra-low porosity and low permeability reservoirs and low porosity and low permeability reservoirs.