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.

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.

Diagenesis and Their Succession of Gas-bearing and Non-gas-bearing Reservoirs in the Sulige Gas Field of Ordos Basin,China

Comparisons have been made among lithology, diagenesis, and reservoir characteristics of gas-bearing and non-gas-bearing ones in the Sulige gas field of the Ordos Basin based on the laboratory analysis of thin sections, scanning electron microscope, and liquid inclusion of the reservoirs. The reservoirs of the Sulige gas field are now in the middle stage of diagenesis and have undergone compaction, cementation and dissolution. The secondary pore of the reservoir originated from the dissolution of the feldspar and tuff because of the organic acid action from the source rocks during the diagenetic middle stage. Gas-bearing reservoirs are common in soluble pore diagenetic facies of coarse detritus quartzose sandstone, whereas non-gas-bearing ones are common in tense compaction diagenetic facies of mud-bearing medium-fine detritus quartzose sandstone and residual intergranular pore diagenetic facies of mud-bearing medium-coarse detritus quartzose sandstone. The secondary pore is developed in gas-bearing reservoirs of the Sulige gas-field as the medium-coarse grain reservoirs formed in a powerful sedimentary environment and experienced strong dissolution. However, the sediments of fine grain size form the non-gas-bearing reservoirs because of less residual primary pore and secondary pore.

A Volumetric Model for Evaluating Tight Sandstone Gas Reserves in the Permian Sulige Gas Field,Ordos Basin,Central China

To accurately measure and evaluate reserves is critical for ensuring successful production of unconventional oil and gas. This work proposes a volumetric model to evaluate the tight sandstone gas reserves of the Permian Sulige gas field in the Ordos Basin. The reserves can be determined by four major parameters of reservoir cutoffs, net pay, gas-bearing area and compression factor Z, which are controlled by reservoir characteristics and sedimentation. Well logging, seismic analysis, core analysis and gas testing, as well as thin section identification and SEM analysis were used to analyze the pore evolution and pore-throat structure. The porosity and permeability cutoffs are determined by distribution function curve,empirical statistics and intersection plot. Net pay and gas-bearing area are determined based on the cutoffs, gas testing and sand body distribution, and the compression factor Z is obtained by gas component. The results demonstrate that the reservoir in the Sulige gas field is characterized by ultralow porosity and permeability, and the cutoffs of porosity and permeability are 5% and 0.15×10^(–3) μm^2, respectively. The net pay and gas-bearing area are mainly affected by the sedimentary facies, sand body types and distribution. The gas component is dominated by methane which accounts for more than 90%, and the compression factor Z of H_8(P_2h_8) and S_1(P_1s_1) are 0.98 and 0.985, respectively. The distributary channels stacked and overlapped, forming a wide and thick sand body with good developed intergranular pores and intercrystalline pores. The upper part of channel sand with good porosity and permeability can be sweet spot for gas exploration. The complete set of calculation systems proposed for tight gas reserve calculation has proved to be effective based on application and feedback. This model provides a new concept and consideration for reserve prediction and calculation in other areas.

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.

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.

4D-stress evolution of tight sandstone reservoir during horizontal wells injection and production: A case study of Yuan 284 block,Ordos Basin,NW China

To investigate the 4D stress change during injection and production in tight sandstone reservoirs, a multi-physical fields modeling method is proposed considering the reservoir heterogeneity, hydraulic fracture and complex injection-production system. The 4D stress evolution of tight sandstone reservoir in Yuan 284 block of Huaqing oilfield, Ordos Basin,during injection-production in horizontal well network is investigated by modeling coupled flow and geomechanics. Results show:(1) Induced by injection and production, the 3D stress increases near the injectors but decreases near the producers, and the horizontal stresses are distributed in obvious strips along their respective stress directions.(2) The horizontal stress difference is the highest at the horizontal wellbore beside injectors during injection and production, while it is the lowest in undeveloped zone between the injectors, and the orientation of maximum horizontal principal stress changes the most near the injectors, which is distributed radially.(3) The hydraulic fracture in re-fracturing well was observed to be asymmetrical in geometry and deflected as the stress changed. The results provide theoretical guidance for horizantal well network modification and re-fracturing optimization design in tight sandstone reservoir.

Eogenetic karst and its control on reservoirs in the Ordovician Majiagou Formation, eastern Sulige gas field, Ordos Basin, NW China

To further ascertain the origin of the Ordovician Majiagou Formation reservoirs in the Ordos Basin,the M54-M51 sub-members of the Ordovician Majiagou Formation in the eastern Sulige gasfield of Ordos Basin were taken as examples to analyze the vertical development characteristics of eogenetic karst and to discover the dissolution mechanism and its control on reservoirs through observation of a large number of cores and thin sections.According to detailed analysis of petrologic characteristics,the reservoir rock types include micritic dolomite,grain dolomite and microbialite which have mainly moldic pore,intergranular(dissolved)pore,and(dissolved)residual framework pore as main reservoir space respectively.The study area developed upward-shallowing sequences,with an exposure surface at the top of a single upward-shallowing sequence.The karst systems under the exposure surface had typical exposure characteristics of early dissolution and filling,indicating these reservoirs were related to the facies-controlled eogenetic karstification.With the increase of karstification intensity,the reservoirs became worse in physical properties.

Micro pore and throat characteristics and origin of tight sandstone reservoirs: A case study of the Triassic Chang 6 and Chang 8 members in Longdong area, Ordos Basin, NW China

The microstructure differences of the Triassic Chang 6 and Chang 8 members tight reservoirs in the Longdong area of Ordos Basin were compared by means of cast thin sections, scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, and constant rate mercury injection. Their pore evolution models were established, and the effects of main diagenesis on densification were examined. The throat is the main factor controlling the physical properties of the Chang 6 and Chang 8 members reservoirs: The lower the permeability, the smaller and the more concentrated the throat radius and the larger the proportion of the throats in the effective storage space. There are several obvious differences between Chang 6 and Chang 8 members:(1) with the increase of permeability, the contribution of the relative large throats to the permeability in the Chang 8 member reservoir is more than that in the Chang 6 member reservoir;(2) the control effect on pore-throat ratio of the nano-throats in the Chang 6 member reservoir is more significant. The sedimentary action determines the primary pore structure of the Chang 6 and Chang 8 members sand bodies, and the diagenesis is the main factor controlling the densification of the reservoirs. Because of the difference in rock fabrics and the chlorite content of Chang 6 and Chang 8, the strong compaction resulted in less porosity reduction(17%) of the Chang 81 reservoir with larger buried depth and larger ground temperature than the Chang 63 reservoir(19%). The siliceous, calcareous and clay minerals cement filling the pores and blocking the pore throat, which is the key factor causing the big differences between the reservoir permeability of Chang 6 and Chang 8 members.

Tight sandstone reservoir sensitivity and damage mechanism analysis: A case study from Ordos Basin, China and implications for reservoir damage prevention

Analysis of reservoir sensitivity to velocity,water,salt,acid,alkali and stress is critical for reservoir protection.To study the tight sandstone reservoir sensitivity at different formation depths(effective stress)and formation water conditions(pH,salinity,and fluid velocity),a series of dynamic core flow tests under different pH,salinity,acid,and effective stress conditions were performed on samples from tight sandstone reservoirs of the Upper Triassic Yanchang 8(T_(3)y^(8))Member and conventional reservoirs of the Middle-Lower Jurassic Yan'an 9(J_(1-2)y^(9))Member in the Ordos Basin.The results indicate that,compared with the conventional reservoirs,the tight sandstone reservoirs are more sensitive to velocity and stress,less sensitive to water,alkali and salinity,and respond better to acid fracturing.In addition,the critical conditions(salinity,velocity,pH,and stress)for pumping drilling,completion,and fracturing fluids into tight sandstone reservoirs were investigated.A combination of scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive spectrometry(SEM-EDS),cathodoluminescence(CL),casting thin section(CTS)and nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR)images,high-pressure mercury injection capillary pressure(MICP)measurements as well as X-ray fluorescence spectral(XRF)analyses were employed to analyze the damage mechanisms of the conventional reservoirs(J_(1-2)y^(9))and tight sandstone reservoirs(T_(3)y^(8))caused by fluid invasion.The results suggest that reservoir sensitivity is primarily conditioned by the composition of detrital components and interstitial fillings,petrophysical properties,pore-throat structure,and diagenetic facies.All these factors control the sensitivity types and extent of the reser-voirs.Our results indicate that the poorer the reservoir physical properties,the stronger the reservoir heterogeneity and sensitivity,implying that tight sandstone reservoirs are more susceptible to changes in fluids than conventional reservoirs.This study offers insights into the reservoir damage types and helps to improve the design and implementation of protection measures for tight sandstone reservoir exploration.

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.

Genesis of the high gamma sandstone of the Yanchang Formation in the Ordos Basin,China

Recently, more attention has been paid on the high gamma sandstone reservoirs of the Yanchang Formation in the Ordos Basin, China. These high gamma sandstones have logging characteristics different from conventional sandstones, which influences the identification of sandstone reservoirs. Zhang et al （2010） proposed that the high gamma sandstones of the Yanchang Formation might be the result of re-deposition of homochronous sedimentary tufts or previous tufts as a part of the sandstone. However, we present a different viewpoint： 1） few tufts or tuff debris have been found in the high gamma sandstones of the Yanchang Formation; 2） high gamma （or high Th content） sandstones of Yanchang Formation are not related to either clay minerals or feldspar; 3） the heavy minerals in the sandstone reservoirs of the Yanchang Formation are dominated by zircon, which is characterized by abnormally high Th and U contents, up to 2,163 ppm and 1,362 ppm, respectively. This is sufficient to explain the high gamma anomaly. The conclusion is that the high gamma value of the Yanchang Formation sandstones might be caused by zircon with high Th and U contents in sandstones rather than from the tuff components.

Architectural Units and Groundwater Resource Quantity Evaluation of Cretaceous Sandstones in the Ordos Basin,China

Sandstone is a common lithology in a number of groundwater reservoirs. Studying the skeleton sandstone architectural units, therefore, lays the basis for characterizing aquifer systems, groundwater quality, and resource evaluation. This comprehensive analysis of Cretaceous aquiferous sandstones in the Ordos basin, China, shows that there exists a basin-scale skeleton sandstone in the Luohe Formation which contains 11 isolated barrier beds, 12 small skeleton sandstone bodies in Huanhe Formation, and 3 in the Luohandong Formation. The spatial structure and superimposed relationship as well as the medium properties of these skeleton sandstones and isolated barrier beds can be shown by 3D visualization models. Simultaneously, resource quantity can be evaluated with the 3D inquiry functions. The comparison between property models and structural models indicates that the salinity of groundwater of the Luohe Formation has a close connection with the locations of isolated barrier beds that contain abundant gypsum. Through quantitative calculation, groundwater resource of the Cretaceous Luohe and Luohandong formations is estimated to be 1.6×10-（12） m-3, and the total groundwater resource of the Cretaceous system in the Ordos basin is more than 2×10-（12） m-3.

Geochronological Records of Oil-Gas Accumulations in the Permian Reservoirs of the Northeastern Ordos Basin

Geochronology of oil-gas accumulation （OGA） is a challenging subject of petroleum geology in multi-cycle superimposed basins.By K-Ar dating of authigenic illite （AI） and fluid inclusion （FI） analysis combined with apatite fission track （AFT） thermal modeling,a case study of constraining the OGA times of the Permian reservoirs in northeast Ordos basin （NOB） has been conducted in this paper.AI dating of the Permian oil-gas-bearing sandstone core-samples shows a wide time domain of 178-108 Ma.The distribution of the AI ages presents 2-stage primary OGA processes in the Permian reservoirs,which developed in the time domains of 175-155 Ma and 145-115 Ma with 2-peak ages of 165 Ma and 130 Ma,respectively.The FI temperature peaks of the samples and their projected ages on the AFT thermal path not only present two groups with a low and a high peak temperatures in ranges of 90-78℃ and 125-118℃,respectively corresponding to 2-stage primary OGA processes of 162-153 Ma and 140-128 Ma in the Permian reservoirs,but also appear a medium temperature group with the peak of 98℃ in agreement with a secondary OGA process of c.～30 Ma in the Upper Permian reservoirs.The integrated analysis of the AI and FI ages and the tectono-thermal evolution reveals that the Permian reservoirs in the NOB experienced at least 2-stage primary OGA processes of 165-153 Ma and 140-128 Ma in agreement with the subsidence thermal process of the Mid-Early Jurassic and the tectono-thermal event of the Early Cretaceous.Then,the Upper Permian reservoirs further experienced at least 1-stage secondary OGA process of c.～30 Ma in coincidence with a critical tectonic conversion between the slow and the rapid uplift processes from the Late Cretaceous to Neogene.

Formation mechanism of tight sandstone gas in areas of low hydrocarbon generation intensity: A case study of the Upper Paleozoic in north Tianhuan depression in Ordos Basin, NW China

The Upper Paleozoic in the north part of Tianhuan depression in the Ordos Basin,NW China has lower hydrocarbon generation intensity and complex gas-water relationship,the main factors controlling the formation of tight sandstone gas and the distribution of tight sandstone gas in the low hydrocarbon generation intensity area are studied.Through two-dimensional physical simulation experiment of hydrocarbon accumulation,analysis of reservoir micro-pore-throat hydrocarbon system and dissection of typical gas reservoirs,the evaluation models of gas injection pressure,reservoir physical property,and gas generation threshold were established to determine the features of tight gas reservoirs in low hydrocarbon intensity area:(1)at the burial depth of less than 3 000 m,the hydrocarbon generation intensity ofis high enough to maintain effective charging;(2)tight sandstone in large scale occurrence is conducive to accumulation of tight gas;(3)differences in reservoir physical property control the distribution of gas pool,for the channel sandstone reservoirs,ones with better physical properties generally concentrate in the middle of sandstone zone and local structural highs;ones with poor physical properties have low gas content generally.Based on the dissection of the gas reservoir in the north Tianhuan depression,the formation of tight gas reservoirs in low hydrocarbon generating intensity area are characterized by"long term continuous charging under hydrocarbon generation pressure,gas accumulation in large scale tight sandstone,pool control by difference in reservoir physical property,and local sweet spot",and the tight gas pools are distributed in discontinuous"sheets"on the plane.This understanding has been proved by expanding exploration of tight sandstone gas in the north Tianhuan depression.

Gas expansion caused by formation uplifting and its effects on tight gas accumulation:A case study of Sulige gas field in Ordos Basin,NW China

Gas expansion caused by significant exhumation in the Sulige gas field in the Ordos Basin since Late Cretaceous and its effects on hydrocarbon accumulation have been investigated systematically based on comprehensive analysis of geochemical,fluid inclusion and production data.The results indicate that gas volume expansion since the Late Cretaceous was the driving force for adjustment and secondary charging of tight sandstone gas reservoirs in the Sulige gas field of the Ordos Basin.The gas retained in the source rocks expanded in volume,resulting in gas re-expulsion,migration and secondary charging into reservoirs,while the gas volume expansion in the tight reservoirs caused the increase of gas saturation,gas-bearing area and gas column height,which worked together to increase the gas content of the reservoir and bring about large-scale gas accumulation events.The Sulige gas field had experienced a two-stage accumulation process,burial before the end of Early Cretaceous and uplifting since the Late Cretaceous.In the burial stage,natural gas was driven by hydrocarbon generation overpressure to migrate and accumulate,while in the uplifting stage,the gas volume expansion drove internal adjustment inside gas reservoirs and secondary charging to form new reservoirs.On the whole,the gas reservoir adjustment and secondary charging during uplifting stage is more significant in the eastern gas field than that in the west,which is favorable for forming gas-rich area.

Determination of microscopic waterflooding characteristics and influence factors in ultra-low permeability sandstone reservoir

Actual sandstone micromodel was used in this work to conduct the microscopic waterflooding experiment of ultra-low sandstone reservoir,since the inside seepage characteristics of microscopic waterflooding process of Chang 8 ultra-low permeability sandstone reservoir of Upper Triassic Yanchang formation in Huaqing region of the Ordos Basin,China is difficult to observe directly.Combined with physical property,casting thin sections,constant-rate mercury injection capillary pressure and nuclear magnetic resonance,the influence of reservoir property on the waterflooding characteristics in pores were analyzed and evaluated.Seepage paths of waterflooding characteristics were divided into four types:homogeneous seepage,reticular-homogeneous seepage,finger-reticular seepage and finger-like seepage,the waterflooding efficiency of which decreases in turn.More than 70%of residual oil occurs as flowing-around seepage and oil film.Physical property,pore structure and movable fluid characteristics are all controlled by digenesis and their impacts on waterflooding efficiency are in accordance.Generally,the pore throat radius size and distribution and movable fluid percentage are closely related to waterflooding law.

Binary pore structure characteristics of tight sandstone reservoirs

The pore structure and its influence on physical properties and oil saturation of the Triassic Chang 7 sandstones,Ordos Basin were discussed using thin sections,physical properties,oil saturation and mercury intrusion data.The results show that the tight sandstone has a binary pore structure:when the pore throat radius is larger than the peak radius,the pore radius is significantly larger than throat size,the pore structure is similar to the bead-string model with no fractal feature,and the pore throat volume is determined by the pore volume.When the pore throat radius is smaller than the peak radius,the pore structure is close to the capillary model and shows fractal features,the pore size is close to the throat size,and the pore throat volume is determined by the throat radius.The development of pore throats larger than the peak radius provides most of the oil storage space and is the major controlling factor for the porosity and permeability variation of tight sandstone.The pore throat smaller than the peak radius(including throats with no mercury invaded)contributes major reservoir space,it shows limited variation and has little effect on the change of physical properties which is lack of correlation with oil saturation.The pore throat larger than the peak radius is mainly composed of secondary and intergranular pores.Therefore genesis and main controlling factors of large pores such as intergranular and dissolved pores should be emphasized when predicting the tight sandstones quality.

Fractal Characteristics and Main Controlling Factors of High-Quality Tight Sandstone Reservoirs in the Southeastern Ordos Basin

Due to the complex conditions and strong heterogeneity of tight sandstone reservoirs,the reservoirs should be classified and the controlling factors of physical properties should be studied.Cast thin section observations,cathodoluminescence,scanning electron microscopy(SEM),X-ray diffraction(XRD),and high-pressure mercury injection(HPMI)were used to classify and optimize the reservoir.The Brooks-Corey model and stepwise regression were used to study the fractal dimension and main controlling factors of the physical properties of the high-quality reservoir.The results show that the reservoirs in the study area can be divided into four types,and the high-quality reservoir has the best physical properties and pore-throat characteristics.In the high-quality reservoir,the homogeneity of transitional pores was the best,followed by that of micropores,and the worst was mesopores.The porosity was controlled by depth and kaolinite.The model with standardized coefficients is y=12.454−0.778×(Depth)+0.395×(Kaolinite).The permeability was controlled by depth,illite/montmorillonite,and siliceous cement,and the model with standardized coefficients is y=1.689−0.683×(Depth)−0.395×(Illite/Montmorillonite)−0.337×(Siliceous Cement).The pore-throat evolutionary model shows that the early-middle diagenetic period was when the reservoir physical properties were at their best,and the kaolinite intercrystalline pores and residual intergranular pores were the most important.

The distribution rule and seepage effect of the fractures in the ultra-low permeability sandstone reservoir in east Gansu Province,Ordos Basin

To study the impact of the fractures on development in the ultra-low permeability sandstone reservoir of the Yangchang Formation of the Upper Triassic in the Ordos Basin,data on outcrops,cores,slices,well logging and experiments are utilized to analyze the cause of the formation of the fractures,their distribution rules and the control factors and discuss the seepage flow effect of the fractures. In the studied area developed chiefly high-angle tectonic fractures and horizontal bedding fractures,inter-granular fractures and grain boundary fractures as well. Grain boundary fractures and intragranular fractures serve as vital channels linking intragranular pores and intergranular solution pores in the reservoir matrix,thus providing a good connectivity between the pores in the ultra-low perme-ability sandstone reservoir. The formation of fractures and their distribution are influenced by such external and internal factors as the palaeo-tectonic stress field,the reservoir lithological character,the thickness of the rock layer and the anisotropy of a layer. The present-day stress field influences the preservative state of fractures and their seepage flow effect. Under the tec-tonic effect of both the Yanshan and Himalayan periods,in this region four sets of fractures are distributed,respectively assuming the NE-SW,NW-SE,nearly E-W and nearly S-N orientations,but,due to the effect of the rock anisotropy of the rock formation,in some part of it two groups of nearly orthogonal fractures are chiefly distributed. Under the effect of the present-day stress field,the fractures that assume the NE-SW direction have a good connectivity,big apertures,a high permeability and a minimum starting pressure,all of which are main advantages of the seepage fractures in this region. With the development of oilfields,the permeability of the fractures of dif-ferent directions will have a dynamic change.