Oil exploration breakthrough in the Wensu salient, northwest Tarim Basin and its implications

Both the XWD1 and XWD2 wells drilled in 2017 in the Wensu salient, northwest Tarim Basin have achieved high-yield industrial oil flow. Based on the comprehensive research on drilling, oil testing, geochemistry and logging data, in combination with the field surveys, 2 D seismic data processing and interpretation as well as sedimentation and accumulation history comparison, we carefully compared the source conditions, migration channels, reservoir-cap distribution and trapping types in the Wensu salient, and subsequently constructed a reservoir-forming pattern. Though the Wensu salient is lack of source rocks, some drainage systems were widely developed and efficiently connected to adjacent fertile depressions. Due to the moderate Miocene paleogeomorphic conditions in the Wensu salient, the delta and shore-shallow lacustrine beach bar sandy bodies were developed within the Jidike formation, and consequently form widely distributed structural-lithologic traps. The hydrocarbon generation, migration and accumulation mainly happened in the Neogene-Quaternary period, which suggests that the reservoir-forming pattern should be characterized as late-period and compound accumulation. It suggests that, although the border belts in the Tarim Basin might be short of source rocks and structural traps, they are potential to accumulate hydrocarbon in a large scale; the description of efficient hydrocarbon migration channels and structural-lithologic traps is crucial for any successful exploration.

The pre-Sinian rift in central Sichuan Basin and its control on hydrocarbon accumulation in the overlying strata

Based on the latest seismic data, resistivity profile, outcrop evidence and logging data, the structural features of basement in Sichuan Basin and its control on the hydrocarbon accumulation in the Sinian-Cambrian strata was discussed. It was found that a NE striking pre-Sinian rift was developed across the whole basin. Controlled by a series of rift-parallel normal faults, horst-graben structures were developed inside the rift, large horst-graben structures and later activity of their boundary faults controlled the distribution of beach facies of the overlying strata. The horst-graben structures induced the formation of local highs of ancient landform and controlled the successive development of overlapped bioherm beach facies in long-term marine setting from the Sinian period to the Permian period, and as a result a widely distributed favorable sedimentary facies belt was developed. The pre-Sinian rift and later activities of related normal faults controlled the development of the grain beach and karst reservoirs and the deposition of high quality source rock, which form structural-lithologic traps. Through comprehensive evaluation, two large structural-lithologic composite trap favorable exploration areas in the south and north of the Gaoshiti-Moxi area, were selected.