Visualization and characterization of experimental hydraulic fractures interacting with karst fracture-cavity distributions

Karst fracture-cavity carbonate reservoirs,in which natural cavities are connected by natural fractures to form cavity clusters in many circumstances,have become significant fields of oil and gas exploration and exploitation.Proppant fracturing is considered as the best method for exploiting carbonate reservoirs;however,previous studies primarily focused on the effects of individual types of geological formations,such as natural fractures or cavities,on fracture propagation.In this study,true-triaxial physical simulation experiments were systematically performed under four types of stress difference conditions after the accurate prefabrication of four types of different fracture-cavity distributions in artificial samples.Subsequently,the interaction mechanism between the hydraulic fractures and fracture-cavity structures was systematically analyzed in combination with the stress distribution,cross-sectional morphology of the main propagation path,and three-dimensional visualization of the overall fracture network.It was found that the propagation of hydraulic fractures near the cavity was inhibited by the stress concentration surrounding the cavity.In contrast,a natural fracture with a smaller approach angle(0°and 30°)around the cavity can alleviate the stress concentration and significantly facilitate the connection with the cavity.In addition,the hydraulic fracture crossed the natural fracture at the 45°approach angle and bypassed the cavity under higher stress difference conditions.A new stimulation effectiveness evaluation index was established based on the stimulated reservoir area(SRA),tortuosity of the hydraulic fractures(T),and connectivity index(CI)of the cavities.These findings provide new insights into the fracturing design of carbonate reservoirs.

Application of Spectral Decomposition to Detection of Fracture-Cavity Carbonate Reservoir Beds in the Tahe OUfield,Tarim Basin,NW China

Ordovician fracture-cavity carbonate reservoir beds are the major type of producing formations in the Tahe oilfield, Tarim Basin. The seismic responses of these beds clearly changes depending on the different distance of the fracture-cavity reservoir bed from the top of the section. The seismic reflection becomes weak or is absent when the fracture-cavity reservoir beds are less than 20 ms below the top Ordovician. The effect on top Ordovician reflection became weaker with deeper burial of fracture-cavity reservoir beds but the developed deep fracture-cavity reservoir beds caused stronger reflection in the interior of the Ordovician. This interior reflection can be divided into strong long-axis, irregular and bead string reflections, and was present 80 ms below the top Ordovician. Aimed at understanding reflection characteristics, the spectral decomposition technique, which uses frequency to ＂tune-in＂ bed thickness, was used to predict Ordovician fracture-cavity carbonate formations in the Tahe oilfield. Through finely adjusting the processing parameters of spectral decomposition, it was found that the slice at 30 Hz of the tuned data cube can best represent reservoir bed development. Two large N-S-trending strong reflection belts in the mid-western part of the study area along wells TK440- TK427-TK417B and in the eastern part along wells TK404-TK409 were observed distinctly on the 30 Hz slice and 4-D time-frequency data cube carving. A small N-S trending reflection belt in the southern part along wells T403-TK446B was also clearly identified. The predicted reservoir bed development area coincides with the fracture-cavities connection area confirmed by drilling pressure testing results. Deep karst cavities occur basically in three reservoir bed-development belts identified by the Ordovician interior strong reflection. Spectral decomposition proved to be a useful technique in identifying fracture-cavity reservoir beds.

Numerical analysis of the hydraulic fracture communication modes in fracture-cavity reservoirs

The fracture-cavity carbonate reservoirs in the Tahe Oilfield in China are mainly exploited by fracturing.We need the hydraulic fractures to communicate with caves to create a flow channel.However,due to the existence of the fracture-cavity systems,the hydraulic fracture propagation morphology is complicated,while the propagation characteristics are not clear.To analyze the hydraulic fracture propagation in fracture-cavity carbonate formations,based on the discontinuous discrete fracture model,we developed a solid-seepage-freeflow coupled fracturing model for fracture-cavity formations,which can simulate the complex interaction behavior of fractures and caves.Based on the simulation results,we found the interaction rule between hydraulic fractures and fracture-cavity systems:the stress concentration around caves is the main factor that determines the fracture propagation path.Deflection due to stress concentration is usually not conducive to communication,while natural fractures distributed around caves could break the rejection action.Increasing the hydraulic energy in the hydraulic fracture can make fracture propagate directly and reduce the influence of deflection.The steering fracture formed by temporary plugging is beneficial to the communication of fracture-cavity systems in the non-principal stress direction.According to the simulation results of different fracture-cavity characteristics,we raised four optimization communication modes for fracture-cavity carbonate formation to provide references for fracturing optimization design and parameter optimization.

A Numerical Study on the Propagation Mechanisms of Hydraulic Fractures in Fracture-Cavity Carbonate Reservoirs

Field data suggests that carbonate reservoirs contain abundant natural fractures and cavities.The propagation mechanisms of hydraulic fractures in fracture-cavity reservoirs are different from conventional reservoirs on account of the stress concentration surrounding cavities.In this paper,we develop a fully coupled numerical model using the extended finite element method(XFEM)to investigate the behaviors and propagation mechanisms of hydraulic fractures in fracture-cavity reservoirs.Simulation results show that a higher lateral stress coefficient can enhance the influence of the natural cavity,causing a more curved fracture path.However,lower confining stress or smaller in-situ stress difference can reduce this influence,and thus contributes to the penetration of the hydraulic fracture towards the cavity.Higher fluid viscosity and high fluid pumping rate are both able to attenuate the effect of the cavity.The frictional natural fracture connected to the cavity can significantly change the stress distribution around the cavity,thus dramatically deviates the hydraulic fracture from its original propagation direction.It is also found that the natural cavity existing between two adjacent fracturing stages will significantly influence the stress distribution between fractures and is more likely to result in irregular propagation paths compared to the case without a cavity.

Construction of carbonate reservoir knowledge base and its application in fracture-cavity reservoir geological modeling

To improve the efficiency and accuracy of carbonate reservoir research,a unified reservoir knowledge base linking geological knowledge management with reservoir research is proposed.The reservoir knowledge base serves high-quality analysis,evaluation,description and geological modeling of reservoirs.The knowledge framework is divided into three categories:technical service standard,technical research method and professional knowledge and cases related to geological objects.In order to build a knowledge base,first of all,it is necessary to form a knowledge classification system and knowledge description standards;secondly,to sort out theoretical understandings and various technical methods for different geologic objects and work out a technical service standard package according to the technical standard;thirdly,to collect typical outcrop and reservoir cases,constantly expand the content of the knowledge base through systematic extraction,sorting and saving,and construct professional knowledge about geological objects.Through the use of encyclopedia based collaborative editing architecture,knowledge construction and sharing can be realized.Geological objects and related attribute parameters can be automatically extracted by using natural language processing(NLP)technology,and outcrop data can be collected by using modern fine measurement technology,to enhance the efficiency of knowledge acquisition,extraction and sorting.In this paper,the geological modeling of fracture-cavity reservoir in the Tarim Basin is taken as an example to illustrate the construction of knowledge base of carbonate reservoir and its application in geological modeling of fracture-cavity carbonate reservoir.

Grading evaluation and prediction of fracture-cavity reservoirs in Cambrian Longwangmiao Formation of Moxi area,Sichuan Basin,SW China

By using core, thin section, well logging, seismic, well testing and other data, the reservoir grading evaluation parameters were selected, the classification criterion considering multiple factors for carbonate reservoirs in this area were established, and the main factors affecting the development of high quality reservoir were determined. By employing Formation MicroScanner Image(FMI) logging fracture-cavity recognition technology and reservoir seismic waveform classification technology, the spatial distribution of reservoirs of all grades were predicted. On the basis of identifying four types of reservoir space developed in the study area by mercury injection experiment, a classification criterion was established using four reservoir grading evaluation parameters, median throat radius, effective porosity and effective permeability of fracture-cavity development zone, relationship between fracture and dissolution pore development and assemblage, and the reservoirs in the study area were classified into grade I high quality reservoir of fracture and cavity type, grade II average reservoir of fracture and porosity type, grade Ⅲ poor reservoir of intergranular pore type. Based on the three main factors controlling the development of high quality reservoir, structural location, sedimentary facies and epigenesis, the distribution of the 3 grades reservoirs in each well area and formation were predicted using geophysical response and percolation characteristics. Follow-up drilling has confirmed that the classification evaluation standard and prediction methods established are effective.

Distribution of the Ordovician Fluid in the Tahe Oilfield and Dynamic Response of Cave System S48 to Exploitation

The Tahe Oilfield is a complex petroleum reservoir of Ordovician carbonate formation and made up of spatially overlapping fracture-cavity units. The oilfield is controlled by a cave system resulting from structure-karst cyclic sedimentation. Due to significant heterogeneity of the reservoir, the distribution of oil and water is complicated. Horizontally, a fresh water zone due to meteoric water can be found in the north part of the Akekule uplift. A marginal freshening zone caused by water released from mudstone compaction is found at the bottom of the southern slope. Located in a crossformational flow discharge zone caused by centripetal and the centrifugal flows, the main part of the Tahe Oilfield, featuring high salinity and concentrations of CI^- and K^＋＋Na^＋, is favorable for accumulation of hydrocarbon. Three types of formation water in the Tahe Ordovician reservoir are identified： （1） residual water at the bottom of the cave after oil and gas displacement, （2） residual water in fractures/pores around the cave after oil and gas displacement, and （3） interlayer water below reservoirs. The cave system is the main reservoir space, which consists of the main cave, branch caves and depressions between caves. Taking Cave System S48 in the Ordovician reservoir as an example, the paper analyzes the fluid distribution and exploitation performance in the cave system. Owing to evaporation of groundwater during cross-formational flow, the central part of the main cave, where oil layers are thick and there is a high degree of displacement, is characterized by high salinity and Br^- concentration. With high potential and a long stable production period, most wells in the central part of the main cave have a long water-free oil production period. Even after water breakthrough, the water content has a slow or stepwise increase and the hydrochemistral characteristics of the produced water in the central part of the main cave are uniform. From the center to the edge of the main cave, displacement and enrichment of oil/gas become weaker, residual water increases, and the salinity and concentration of Br^- decrease. At the edge of the main cave, although the wells have a high deliverability at the beginning with a short stable production period and water-free production period. After water breakthrough, the pressure and deliverability drop quickly, and the water content rises quickly. The hydrochemistral characteristics of the produced water are relatively uniform. Wells in the branch caves have a relatively low deliverability at the beginning, with a short stable production period. Water breakthrough appears quickly and then the pressure and deliverability drop quickly. The salinity and concentrations of CI^-and K^＋＋Na^＋ are usually fluctuant or descend slowly in the produced water. Wells in low areas of ancient karst have a low deliverability and a short stable production period. The yield drops quickly and the water content is high, while the characteristics of the produced water may vary significantly well to well. The salinity and concentrations of CI^-and K^＋＋Na^＋ in the produced water are usually fluctuant with a precipitous decline.

Differential structure of Ordovician karst zone and hydrocarbon enrichment in paleogeomorphic units in Tahe area,Tarim Basin,NW China

Based on a large number of drilling,logging,seismic and production data,the differential structures of karst zone and hydrocarbon distribution in different paleogeomorphic units of the Tahe area,Tarim Basin,are discussed by analyzing the karst drainages and flowing channels.The karst paleogeomorphy of Ordovician in Tahe area is composed of watershed,karst valley and karst basin.The watershed has epikarst zone of 57.8 m thick on average and vadose karst zone of 115.2 m thick on average with dense faults,fractures and medium-small fracture-caves,and 76.5%of wells in this area have cumulative production of more than 5×10^(4) t per well.The karst valleys have epikarst zone,vadose karst zone and runoff karst zone,with an average thickness of 14.6,26.4 and 132.6 m respectively.In the runoff karst zone,the caves of subsurface river are mostly filled by fine sediment,with a filling rate up to 86.8%,and 84.9%of wells in this area have cumulative production of less than 2×10^(4) t per well.The karst basin has no karst zone,but only fault-karst reservoirs in local fault zones,which are up to 600 m thick and closely developed within 1 km around faults.Different karst landforms have different water flowing pattern,forming different karst zone structures and resulting in differential distribution of oil and gas.The watershed has been on the direction of oil and gas migration,so medium-small sized connected fracture-caves in this area have high filling degree of oil and gas,and most wells in this area have high production.Most caves in subsurface river are filled due to strong sedimentation and transportation of the river,so the subsurface river sediment has low hydrocarbon abundance and more low production oil wells.The faults linking source rock are not only the water channels but also the oil-gas migration pathways,where the karst fractures and caves provide huge reservoir space for oil and gas accumulation.

Controlling factors of remaining oil distribution after water flooding and enhanced oil recovery methods for fracturecavity carbonate reservoirs in Tahe Oilfield

Based on comprehensive analysis of core, well logging, seismic and production data, the multi-scale reservoir space, reservoir types, spatial shape and distribution of fractures and caves, and the configuration relationship with production wells in fracture-cavity carbonate reservoirs were studied systematically, the influence of them on the distribution of residual oil was analyzed, and the main controlling factors mode of residual oil distribution after water flooding was established. Enhanced oil recovery methods were studied considering the development practice of Tahe oilfield. Research shows that the main controlling factors of residual oil distribution after water flooding in fracture-cavity carbonate reservoirs can be classified into four categories: local high point, insufficient well control, flow channel shielding and weak hydrodynamic. It is a systematic project to improve oil recovery in fracture-cavity carbonate reservoirs. In the stage of natural depletion, production should be well regulated to prevent bottom water channeling. In the early stage of waterflooding, injection-production relationship should be constructed according to reservoir type, connectivity and spatial location to enhance control and producing degree of waterflooding and minimize remaining oil. In the middle and late stage, according to the main controlling factors and distribution characteristics of remaining oil after water flooding, remaining oil should be tapped precisely by making use of gravity differentiation and capillary force imbibition, enhancing well control, disturbing the flow field and so on. Meanwhile, backup technologies of reservoir stimulation, new injection media, intelligent optimization etc. should be developed, smooth shift from water injection to gas injection should be ensured to maximize oil recovery.

Formation of hoodoo-upland on Ordovician karst slope and its significance in petroleum geology in Tahe area,Tarim Basin,NW China

Based on a large number of geological and geophysical data,the formation,fracture-caves types and hydrocarbon distribution of hoodoo-upland on the Ordovician karst slope in the Tahe area,Tarim Basin,are discussed by analyzing faults and strata thickness.The hoodoo-upland was made of high peaks and narrow valleys in the Ordovician karst slope during the Early Hercynian karst period,which were distributed along the NNE positive flower structure and had inherited evolution.The fault-fractures and fracture-vugs complex were extremely developed,with a thickness of 100 m.The cumulative oil production of 60% oil wells was more than 20×10^(4) t per well in the hoodoo-upland,where the residual thickness of the Ordovician Yingshan Formation was greater than karst depressions.Caves formed by the shelter of collapsed breccias were developed in the valleys.They were 1.6 to 13.5 m high,with a filling rate of 51.6%.The positive flower structure under the settings of strike-slip compression controlled the early formation of the hoodoo-upland on the karst slope,resulting in the differences of drainage distribution and karstification.Compared with the water-rich karst valley,the hoodoo-upland with lean water suffered weaker karstification,had thicker residual stratum,and was higher in terrain.In rainy season,the meteoric water flew and corrode along the cracks,forming a complex network of fractures and caves.Combined with inherited uplift and the effective match of the NNE deep faults,oil and gas continuously charged into the reservoir space in the upland,forming the hoodoo fracture-cave reservoir with vertically quasi continuous distribution,high hydrocarbon abundance and high production.

Hydrocarbon migration in fracture-cave systems of carbonate reservoirs under tectonic stresses: A mechanism study

The fracture-cave systems of carbonate reservoirs have almost stored 30% of recoverable oil and gasaround the world. However, it is still doubtful about the mechanism of hydrocarbon migration in thefracture-cave systems. In this work, deducing from the Eshelby’ solution, we derived the equation tocalculate the bulk strain of elliptic cylinder caves applied by stresses. Calculated results indicate that thebulk strain of caves negatively increases with the radius ratio of the elliptic cave axials under fixedstresses. In the case of the effective horizontal stress increasing from 30 MPa to 80 MPa, the bulk straindifference of a cave could be up to 0.5%. It may result in 0.4% of the total cave volume of fluid transportingthrough the fracture-cave systems within such a stress cycle. Since the tectonic stresses transform in acyclic way, the volumetric ratio of new-to-old fluid in a cave would increase with the number of stresscycles. As a result, we proposed that the periodic fluid flow induced by cyclic tectonic stresses could be animportant mechanism for hydrocarbon migration in the fracture-cave systems of carbonate reservoirs.

Hydrocarbon migration in fracture-cave systems of carbonate reservoirs under tectonic stresses:A modeling study

The Tahe oilfield,located in the southwest of the Akekule nosing structure,northern Tarim basin,was the most prolific oilfield targeting at the Ordovician carbonate reservoirs in China.The reservoir space was dominant with fracture-cave systems commonly induced by tectonics and karstification.Although hydrocarbon production had proceeded for two decades in the Tahe oilfiled,the control of oil and gas accumulations was still doubtful.In this work,the periodic fluid flow induced by cyclic tectonic stresses was proposed as the mechanism of hydrocarbon migration in the fracture-cave systems of carbonate reservoirs.The fracture networks formed conduits for fluid flow,and the fluid pressure in caves transmitted from stress field provided the driving force.The constitutive equations were established among stresses,fracture densities and flow velocities.Four quasi-3D geological models were constructed to simulate the flow velocities on the Ordovician surface of Akekule nosing structure in the critical tectonic stages.The simulated results supplied indicative information on oil and gas migration and accumulation in the tectonic stages.Combining with the oil and gas charge history,a conceptual model was built to reveal the multi-stage oil and gas charge and accumulation in the Ordovician of Akekule nosing structure.