Gas-Water Production of a Continental Tight-Sandstone Gas Reservoir under Different Fracturing Conditions

A numerical model of hydraulic fracture propagation is introduced for a representative reservoir(Yuanba continental tight sandstone gas reservoir in Northeast Sichuan).Different parameters are considered,i.e.,the interlayer stress difference,the fracturing discharge rate and the fracturing fluid viscosity.The results show that these factors affect the gas and water production by influencing the fracture size.The interlayer stress difference can effectively control the fracture height.The greater the stress difference,the smaller the dimensionless reconstruction volume of the reservoir,while the flowback rate and gas production are lower.A large displacement fracturing construction increases the fracture-forming efficiency and expands the fracture size.The larger the displacement of fracturing construction,the larger the dimensionless reconstruction volume of the reservoir,and the higher the fracture-forming efficiency of fracturing fluid,the flowback rate,and the gas production.Low viscosity fracturing fluid is suitable for long fractures,while high viscosity fracturing fluid is suitable for wide fractures.With an increase in the fracturing fluid viscosity,the dimensionless reconstruction volume and flowback rate of the reservoir display a non-monotonic behavior,however,their changes are relatively small.

Distribution patterns of tight sandstone gas and shale gas

Based on an elaboration of the resource potential and annual production of tight sandstone gas and shale gas in the United States and China,this paper reviews the researches on the distribution of tight sandstone gas and shale gas reservoirs,and analyzes the distribution characteristics and genetic types of tight sandstone gas reservoirs.In the United States,the proportion of tight sandstone gas in the total gas production declined from 20%-35%in 2008 to about 8%in 2023,and the shale gas production was 8310×10^(8)m^(3)in 2023,about 80%of the total gas production,in contrast to the range of 5%-17%during 2000-2008.In China,the proportion of tight sandstone gas in the total gas production increased from 16%in 2010 to 28%or higher in 2023.China began to produce shale gas in 2012,with the production reaching 250×10^(8)m^(3)in 2023,about 11%of the total gas production of the country.The distribution of shale gas reservoirs is continuous.According to the fault presence,fault displacement and gas layer thickness,the continuous shale gas reservoirs can be divided into two types:continuity and intermittency.Most previous studies believed that both tight sandstone gas reservoirs and shale gas reservoirs are continuous,but this paper holds that the distribution of tight sandstone gas reservoirs is not continuous.According to the trap types,tight sandstone gas reservoirs can be divided into lithologic,anticlinal,and synclinal reservoirs.The tight sandstone gas is coal-derived in typical basins in China and Egypt,but oil-type gas in typical basins in the United States and Oman.

Quantitative characterization of tight gas sandstone reservoirs using seismic data via an integrated rock-physics-based framework

Seismic characterizing of tight gas sandstone (TGS) reservoirs is essential for identifying promising gas-bearing regions. However, exploring the petrophysical significance of seismic-inverted elastic properties is challenging due to the complex microstructures in TGSs. Meanwhile, interbedded structures of sandstone and mudstone intensify the difficulty in accurately extracting the crucial tight sandstone properties. An integrated rock-physics-based framework is proposed to estimate the reservoir quality of TGSs from seismic data. TGSs with complex pore structures are modeled using the double-porosity model, providing a practical tool to compute rock physics templates for reservoir parameter estimation. The VP/VS ratio is utilized to predict the cumulative thickness of the TGS reservoirs within the target range via the threshold value evaluated from wireline logs for lithology discrimination. This approach also facilitates better capturing the elastic properties of the TGSs for quantitative seismic interpretation. Total porosity is estimated from P-wave impedance using the correlation obtained based on wireline log analysis. After that, the three-dimensional rock-physics templates integrated with the estimated total porosity are constructed to interpret microfracture porosity and gas saturation from velocity ratio and bulk modulus. The integrated framework can optimally estimate the parameters dominating the reservoir quality. The results of the indicator proposed based on the obtained parameters are in good agreement with the gas productions and can be utilized to predict promising TGS reservoirs. Moreover, the results suggest that considering microfracture porosity allows a more accurate prediction of high-quality reservoirs, further validating the applicability of the proposed method in the studied region.

Geological characteristics of unconventional tight oil reservoir (10^(9) t): A case study of Upper Cretaceous Qingshankou Formation, northern Songliao Basin, NE China

The Daqing exploration area in the northern Songliao Basin has great potential for unconventional oil and gas resources,among which the total resources of tight oil alone exceed 109 t and is regarded as an important resource base of Daqing oilfield.After years of exploration in the Qijia area,Songliao Basin,NE China,tight oil has been found in the Upper Cretaceous Qingshankou Formation.To work out tight oil’s geological characteristics,taking tight oil in Gaotaizi oil layers of the Upper Cretaceous Qingshankou Formation in northern Songliao Basin as an example,this paper systematically analyzed the geological characteristics of unconventional tight oil in Gao3 and Gao4 layers of the Qijia area,based on the data of the geological survey,well drilling journey,well logging,and test.It is that three sets of hydrocarbon source rocks(K2qn1,K2qn2+3,and K2n1)develop in the examined area,and exhibit excellent type I and II kerogens,high organic matter abundance,and moderate maturity.The reservoir is generally composed of thin-bedded mudstone,siltstone,and sandstone,and presents poor porosity(average 8.5 vol.%)and air permeability(average 4 mD).The main reservoir space primarily includes intergranular pores,secondary soluble pores,and intergranular soluble pores.Three types of orifice throats were identified,namely fine throat,extra-fine throat,and micro-fine throat.The siltstone is generally oil-bearing,the reservoirs with slime and calcium become worse oil-bearing,and the mudstone has no obvious oil-bearing characteristics.The brittleness indices of the sandstone in the tight oil reservoir range from 40%to 60%,and those of the mudstone range from 40%to 45%,indicating a better brittleness of the tight oil reservoir.Based on the study of typical core hole data,this paper gives a comprehensive evaluation of the properties of the tight oil and establishes a tight oil single well composite bar chart as well as the initial evaluation system with the core of properties in the tight oil reservoir.This study has theoretical guiding significance and practical application value for tight oil exploration and evaluation in the Qijia area.

Optimization of operational strategies for rich gas enhanced oil recovery based on a pilot test in the Bakken tight oil reservoir

Horizontal well drilling and multistage hydraulic fracturing have been demonstrated as effective approaches for stimulating oil production in the Bakken tight oil reservoir.However,after multiple years of production,primary oil recovery in the Bakken is generally less than 10%of the estimated original oil in place.Gas huff‘n’puff(HnP)has been tested in the Bakken Formation as an enhanced oil recovery(EOR)method;however,most field pilot test results showed no significant incremental oil production.One of the factors affecting HnP EOR performance is premature gas breakthrough,which is one of the most critical issues observed in the field because of the presence of interwell fractures.Consequently,injected gas rapidly reaches adjacent production wells without contacting reservoir rock and increasing oil recovery.Proper conformance control is therefore needed to avoid early gas breakthrough and improve EOR performance.In this study,a rich gas EOR pilot in the Bakken was carefully analyzed to collect the essential reservoir and operational data.A simulation model with 16 wells was then developed to reproduce the production history and predict the EOR performance with and without conformance control.EOR operational strategies,including single-and multiple-well HnP,with different gas injection constraints were investigated.The simulation results of single-well HnP without conformance control showed that a rich gas injection rate of at least 10 MMscfd was needed to yield meaningful incremental oil production.The strategy of conformance control via water injection could significantly improve oil production in the HnP well,but injecting an excessive amount of water also leads to water breakthrough and loss of oil production in the offset wells.By analyzing the production performance of the wells individually,the arrangement of wells was optimized for multiple-well HnP EOR.The multiwell results showed that rich gas EOR could improve oil production up to 7.4%by employing conformance control strategies.Furthermore,replacing rich gas with propane as the injection gas could result in 14%of incremental oil production.

Genesis Types and Diagenesis Compaction Mechanisms of Sandstone Rreservoirs in Dynamic Environments in Oil/Gas Basins in China

The diversity of sandstone diagenesis mechanisms caused by the complex geological conditions of oil/gas basins in China could hardly be reasonably explained by the traditional concept of burial diagenesis. Three genesis types of thermal diagenesis, tectonic diagenesis and fluid diagenesis are presented on the basis of the dynamic environment of the oil/gas basins and.the controlling factors and mechanisms of sandstone diagenesis. Thermal diagenesis of sandstone reservoirs is related not only to the effect of formation temperature on diagenesis, but also to the significant changes in diagenesis caused by geothermal gradients. The concept of thermal compaction is presented. Thermal compaction becomes weaker with increasing depth and becomes stronger at a higher geothermal gradient. At the same formation temperature, the sandstone porosity in the region with a lower geothermal gradient is e^0.077＋0.0042T times higher than that in the region with a higher geothermal gradient. Both sudden and gradual changes are observed in diagenetic evolution caused by structural deformation. Average sandstone compaction increased by 0.1051% for every 1.0MPa increase of lateral tectonic compressional stress, while late tectonic napping helped to preserve a higher porosity of underlying sandstone reservoir. Fluid diagenesis is a general phenomenon. The compaction caused by fluid properties is significant. The coarser the grain size, the stronger the fluid effect on compaction. The greater the burial depth, the weaker the fluid effect on compaction for the specific reservoir lithology and the greater the difference in the fluid effects on compaction between different grain sizes.

Refracturing candidate selection for MFHWs in tight oil and gas reservoirs using hybrid method with data analysis techniques and fuzzy clustering

The selection of refracturing candidate is one of the most important jobs faced by oilfield engineers. However, due to the complicated multi-parameter relationships and their comprehensive influence, the selection of refracturing candidate is often very difficult. In this paper, a novel approach combining data analysis techniques and fuzzy clustering was proposed to select refracturing candidate. First, the analysis techniques were used to quantitatively calculate the weight coefficient and determine the key factors. Then, the idealized refracturing well was established by considering the main factors. Fuzzy clustering was applied to evaluate refracturing potential. Finally, reservoirs numerical simulation was used to further evaluate reservoirs energy and material basis of the optimum refracturing candidates. The hybrid method has been successfully applied to a tight oil reservoir in China. The average steady production was 15.8 t/d after refracturing treatment, increasing significantly compared with previous status. The research results can guide the development of tight oil and gas reservoirs effectively.

Types and genesis of sweet spots in the tight sandstone gas reservoirs:Insights from the Xujiahe Formation,northern Sichuan Basin,China

Through comprehensively applying geological and geophysical data,as well as core and thin section observation,the characteristics of reservoirs and fractures in the second member of the Xujiahe Formation(hereinafter referred to as Xu2 Member)in the Yuanba area,northern Sichuan Basin,were studied.Combined with the analysis of the main controlling factors of production capacity,the types and characteristics of the sweet spots in the tight sandstone gas reservoir were determined.The evaluation standards and geological models of the sweet spots were established.The results are as follows:(1)There are bedding-parallel fracture-,fault-induced fracture-,and pore-dominated sweet spots in the tight sandstone gas reservoirs of the Xu2 Member.(2)The bedding parallel fracture-dominated sweet spots have developed in quartz sandstones with well-developed horizontal fractures and micro-fractures.They are characterized by high permeability and high gas output during production tests.This kind of sweet spots is thin and shows a limited distribution.Their logging responses show extremely low gamma-ray(GR)values and medium-high AC values.Moreover,the bedding parallel fracture-dominated sweet spots can be mapped using seismic methods.(3)The fault-induced fracture-dominated sweet spots have welldeveloped medium-and high-angle shear fractures.Their logging responses show an increase in peaks of AC values and total hydrocarbon content and a decrease in resistivity.Seismically,the areas with welldeveloped fault-induced fracture-dominated sweet spots can be effectively mapped using the properties such as seismic entropy and maximum likelihood.(4)The pore-dominated sweet spots are developed in medium-grained feldspathic litharenites with good reservoir properties.They are thick and widely distributed.(5)These three types of sweet spots are mainly determined by sedimentation,diagenesis,and tectonism.The bedding parallel fracture-dominated sweet spots are distributed in beachbar quartz sandstones on the top of the 1st sand layer group in the Xu2 Member,which develops in a shore-shallow lake environment.The fault-induced fracture-dominated sweet spots mainly occur near faults.They are increasingly developed in areas closer to faults.The pore-dominated sweet spots are primarily distributed in the 2nd and 3rd sand layer groups,which lie in the development areas of distributary channels near provenances at western Yuanba area.Based on the geological and seismic data,a comprehensive evaluation standard for these three types of sweet spots of the tight sandstone reservoirs in the Xu2 Member has been established,which,on the one hand,lays the foundation for the development and evaluation of the gas reservoir,and on the other hand,deepens the understanding of sweet spot in the tight sandstone gas reservoirs.

Production forecasting methods for different types of gas reservoirs

Hydrocarbon production in oil and gas fields generally progresses through stages of production ramp-up,plateau(peak),and decline during field development,with the whole process primarily modeled and forecasted using lifecycle models.SINOPEC's conventional gas reservoirs are dominated by carbonates,low-permeability tight sandstone,condensate,volcanic rocks,and medium-to-high-permeability sandstone.This study identifies the optimal production forecasting models by comparing the fitting coefficients of different models and calculating the relative errors in technically recoverable reserves.To improve forecast precision,it suggests substituting exponential smoothing method-derived predictions for anomalous data caused by subjective influences like market dynamics and maintenance activities.The preferred models for carbonate gas reservoir production forecasts are the generalized Weng's,Beta,Class-I generalized mathematical,and Hu-Chen models.The Vapor pressure and Beta models are optimal for forecasting the annual productivity of wells(APW)from gas-bearing low-permeability tight sandstone reservoirs.The Wang-Li,Beta,and Yu QT tb models are apt for moderate-to-small-reserves,single low-permeability tight sandstone gas reservoirs.The Rayleigh,Hu-Chen,and generalized Weng's models are suitable for condensate gas reservoirs.For medium-to-high-permeability sandstone gas reservoirs,the lognormal,generalized gamma,and Beta models are recommended.

Tight sandstone gas accumulation mechanism and development models

Tight sandstone gas serves as an important unconventional hydrocarbon resource, and outstanding results have been obtained through its discovery both in China and abroad given its great resource potential. However, heated debates and gaps still remain regarding classification standards of tight sandstone gas, and critical controlling factors, accumulation mechanisms, and devel- opment modes of tight sandstone reservoirs are not deter- mined. Tight sandstone gas reservoirs in China are generally characterized by tight strata, widespread distri- bution areas, coal strata supplying gas, complex gas-water relations, and abnormally low gas reservoir pressure. Water and gas reversal patterns have been detected via glass tube and quartz sand modeling, and the presence of critical geological conditions without buoyancy-driven mecha- nisms can thus be assumed. According to the timing of gas charging and reservoir tightening phases, the following three tight sandstone gas reservoir types have been identified： （a） ＂accumulation-densification＂ （AD）, or the conventional tight type, （b） ＂densification-accumulation＂ （DA）, or the deep tight type, and （c） the composite tight type. For the AD type, gas charging occurs prior to reser- voir densification, accumulating in higher positions under buoyancy-controlled mechanisms with critical controlling factors such as source kitchens （S）, regional overlaying cap rocks （C）, gas reservoirs, （D） and low fluid potential areas （P）. For the DA type, reservoir densification prior to the gas charging period （GCP） leads to accumulation in depres- sions and slopes largely due to hydrocarbon expansive forces without buoyancy, and critical controlling factors are effective source rocks （S）, widely distributed reservoirs （D）, stable tectonic settings （W） and universal densification of reservoirs （L）. The composite type includes features of the AD type and DA type, and before and after reservoir densification period （RDP）, gas charging and accumulation is controlled by early buoyancy and later molecular expansive force respectively. It is widely distributed in anticlinal zones, deep sag areas and slopes, and is con- trolled by source kitchens （S）, reservoirs （D）, cap rocks （C）, stable tectonic settings （W）, low fluid potential areas （P）, and universal reservoir densification （L）. Tight gas resources with great resource potential are widely dis- tributed worldwide, and tight gas in China that presents advantageous reservoir-forming conditions is primarily found in the Ordos, Sichuan, Tarim, Junggar, and Turpan- Hami basins of central-western China. Tight gas has served as the primary impetus for global unconventional natural gas exploration and production under existing technical conditions.

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.

Development characteristics and orientation of tight oil and gas in China

Through reviewing the development history of tight oil and gas in China,summarizing theoretical understandings in exploration and development,and comparing the geological conditions and development technologies objectively in China and the United States,we clarified the progress and stage of tight oil and gas exploration and development in China,and envisaged the future development orientation of theory and technology,process methods and development policy.In nearly a decade,relying on the exploration and development practice,science and technology research and management innovation,huge breakthroughs have been made.The laws of formation,distribution and accumulation of tight oil and gas have been researched,the development theories such as"multi-stage pressure drop"and"man-made reservoirs"have been established,and several technology series have been innovated and integrated.These technology series include enrichment regions selection,well pattern deployment,single well production and recovery factor enhancement,and low cost development.As a result,both of reserves and production of tight oil and gas increase rapidly.However,limited by the sedimentary environment and tectonic background,compared with North America,China’s tight oil and gas reservoirs are worse in continuity,more difficult to develop and poorer in economic efficiency.Moreover,there are still some gaps in reservoir identification accuracy and stimulating technology between China and North America.In the future,Chinese oil and gas companies should further improve the resource evaluation method,tackle key technologies such as high-precision 3D seismic interpretation,man-made reservoir,and intelligent engineering,innovate theories and technologies to enhance single well production and recovery rate,and actively endeavor to get the finance and tax subsidy on tight oil and gas.

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.

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.

Progress in China's Unconventional Oil & Gas Exploration and Development and Theoretical Technologies

The new century has witnessed a strategic breakthrough in unconventional oil ＆ gas.Hydrocarbon accumulated in micro-/nano-scale pore throat shale systems has become an important domain that could replace current oil ＆ gas resources.Unconventional oil ＆ gas plays an increasingly important role in our energy demand.Tight gas,CBM,heavy oil and asphaltic sand have served as a key domain of exploration ＆ development,with tight oil becoming a ＇bright spot＇ domain and shale gas becoming a ＇hotspot＇ domain.China has made great breakthroughs in unconventional oil ＆ gas resources,such as tight gas,shale gas,tight oil and CBM,and great progress in oil shale,gas hydrate,heavy oil and oil sand.China has an estimated（223-263）×10~8t of unconventional oil resources and（890-1260）×l0^（12）m^3 of gas resources.China has made a breakthrough for progress in unconventional oil ＆ gas study.New progress achieved in fine-grained sedimentary studies related to continental open lacustrine basin large-scale shallow-water delta sand bodies,lacustrine basin central sandy clastic flow sediments and marine-continental fine-grained sediments provide a theoretical basis for the formation and distribution of basin central reservoir bodies.Great breakthroughs have been made in unconventional reservoir geology in respect of research methodology ＆ technology,multi-scale data merging and physical simulation of formation conditions.Overall characterization of unconventional reservoirs via multi-method and multi-scale becomes increasingly popular and facilitates the rapid development of unconventional oil ＆ gas geological theory,method and technology.The formation of innovative,continuous hydrocarbon accumulation theory,the establishment of the framework of the unconventional oil ＆ gas geological theory system,and the determination of the implications,geological feature,formation mechanism,distribution rule and core technology of unconventional oil＆ gas geological study lays a theoretical foundation for extensive unconventional oil ＆ gas exploration and development.Theories and technologies of unconventional oil ＆ gas exploration and development developed rapidly,including some key evaluation techniques such as ＇sweet spot zone＇ integrated evaluation and a six-property evaluation technique that uses hydrocarbon source,lithology,physical property,brittleness,hydrocarbon potential and stress anisotropy,and some key development ＆engineering technologies including micro-seismic monitoring,horizontal drilling ＆ completion and ＂factory-like＂ operation pattern, ＂man-made reservoir＂ development,which have facilitated the innovative development of unconventional oil ＆ gas.These breakthroughs define a new understanding in four aspects：①theoretical innovation;② key technologies;③ complete market mechanism and national policy support;and ④ well-developed ground infrastructure,which are significant for prolonging the life cycle of petroleum industry,accelerating the upgrade and development of theories and technologies and altering the global traditional energy structure.

Geological characteristics and ‘‘sweet area'' evaluation for tight oil

Tight oil has become the focus in exploration and development of unconventional oil in the world, especially in North America and China. In North America, there has been intensive exploration for tight oil in marine. In China, commercial exploration for tight oil in conti- nental sediments is now steadily underway. With the dis- covery of China＇s first tight oil field--Xin＇anbian Oilfield in the Ordos Basin, tight oil has been integrated officially into the category for reserves evaluation. Geologically, tight oil is characterized by distribution in depressions and slopes of basins, extensive, mature, and high-quality source rocks, large-scale reservoir space with micro- and nanopore throat systems, source rocks and reservoirs in close contact and with continuous distribution, and local ＂sweet area.＂ The evaluation of the distribution of tight oil ＂sweet area＂ should focus on relationships between ＂six features.＂ These are source properties, lithology, physical properties, brittleness, hydrocarbon potential, and stress anisotropy. In North America, tight oil prospects are distributed in lamellar shale or marl, where natural fractures are fre- quently present, with TOC 〉 4 %, porosity 〉 7 %, brittle mineral content 〉 50 %, oil saturation of 50 %-80 %, API 〉 35~, and pressure coefficient 〉 1.30. In China, tight oil prospects are distributed in lamellar shale, tight sand- stone, or tight carbonate rocks, with TOC 〉 2 %, poros- ity 〉 8 %, brittle mineral content 〉 40 %, oil saturation of 60 %-90 %, low crude oil viscosity, or high formation pressure. Continental tight oil is pervasive in China and its preliminary estimated technically recoverable resources are about （20-25） × lO8^ t.

Laboratory to field scale assessment for EOR applicability in tight oil reservoirs

Tight oil reservoirs are contributing a major role to fulfill the overall crude oil needs,especially in the US.However,the dilemma is their ultra-tight permeability and an uneconomically short-lived primary recovery factor.Therefore,the application of EOR in the early reservoir development phase is considered effective for fast-paced and economical tight oil recovery.To achieve these objectives,it is imperative to determine the optimum EOR potential and the best-suited EOR application for every individual tight oil reservoir to maximize its ultimate recovery factor.Since most of the tight oil reservoirs are found in wide spatial source rock with complex and compacted pores and poor geophysical properties yet they hold high saturation of good quality oil and therefore,every single percent increase in oil recovery from such huge reservoirs potentially provide an additional million barrels of oil.Hence,the EOR application in such reservoirs is quite essential.However,the physical understanding of EOR applications in different circumstances from laboratory to field scale is the key to success and similarly,the fundamental physical concepts of fluid flow-dynamics under confinement conditions play an important role.This paper presents a detailed discussion on laboratory-based experimental achievements at micro-scale including fundamental concepts under confinement environment,physics-based numerical studies,and recent actual field piloting experiences based on the U.S.unconventional plays.The objective of this paper is to discuss all the critical reservoir rock and fluid properties and their contribution to reservoir development through massive multi-staged hydraulic fracture networks and the EOR applications.Especially the CO_(2)and produced hydrocarbon gas injection through single well-based huff-n-puff operational constraints are discussed in detail both at micro and macro scale.

A new model for predicting irreducible water saturation in tight gas reservoirs

The irreducible water saturation(Swir) is a significant parameter for relative permeability prediction and initial hydrocarbon reserves estimation.However,the complex pore structures of the tight rocks and multiple factors of the formation conditions make the parameter difficult to be accurately predicted by the conventional methods in tight gas reservoirs.In this study,a new model was derived to calculate Swir based on the capillary model and the fractal theory.The model incorporated different types of immobile water and considered the stress effect.The dead or stationary water(DSW) was considered in this model,which described the phenomena of water trapped in the dead-end pores due to detour flow and complex pore structures.The water film,stress effect and formation temperature were also considered in the proposed model.The results calculated by the proposed model are in a good agreement with the experimental data.This proves that for tight sandstone gas reservoirs the Swir calculated from the new model is more accurate.The irreducible water saturation calculated from the new model reveals that Swir is controlled by the critical capillary radius,DSW coefficient,effective stress and formation temperature.

Exploring the potential of oil and gas resources in Sichuan Basin with Super Basin Thinking

Based on the contemporary strategy of Petro China and the“Super Basin Thinking”initiative,we analyze the petroleum system,the remaining oil and gas resource distribution,and the Super Basin development scheme in the Sichuan Basin with the aim of unlocking its full resource potential.We conclude that,(1)The three-stage evolution of the Sichuan Basin has resulted in the stereoscopic distribution of hydrocarbon systems dominated by natural gas.The prospecting Nanhua-rift stage gas system is potentially to be found in the ultra-deep part of the basin.The marine-cratonic stage gas system is distributed in the Sinian to Mid-Triassic formations,mainly conventional gas and shale gas resources.The foreland-basin stage tight sand gas and shale oil resources are found in the Upper Triassic-Jurassic formations.Such resource base provides the foundation for the implementation of Super Basin paradigm in the Sichuan Basin.(2)To ensure larger scale hydrocarbon exploration and production,technologies regarding deep to ultra-deep carbonate reservoirs,tight-sand gas,and shale oil are necessarily to be advanced.(3)In order to achieve the full hydrocarbon potential of the Sichuan Basin,pertinent exploration strategies are expected to be proposed with regard to each hydrocarbon system respectively,government and policy supports ought to be strengthened,and new cooperative pattern should be established.Introducing the“Super Basin Thinking”provides references and guidelines for further deployment of hydrocarbon exploration and production in the Sichuan Basin and other developed basins.

Hydrocarbon detections using multi-attributes based quantum neural networks in a tight sandstone gas reservoir in the Sichuan Basin, China

A direct hydrocarbon detection is performed by using multi-attributes based quantum neural networks with gas fields.The proposed multi-attributes based quantum neural networks for hydrocarbon detection use data clustering and local wave decomposition based seismic attenuation characteristics,relative wave impedance features of prestack seismic data as the selected multiple attributes for one tight sandstone gas reservoir and further employ principal component analysis combined with quantum neural networks for giving the distinguishing results of the weak responses of the gas reservoir,which is hard to detect by using the conventional technologies.For the seismic data from a tight sandstone gas reservoir in the Sichuan basin,China,we found that multiattributes based quantum neural networks can effectively capture the weak seismic responses features associated with gas saturation in the gas reservoir.This study is hoped to be useful as an aid for hydrocarbon detections for the gas reservoir with the characteristics of the weak seismic responses by the complement of the multiattributes based quantum neural networks.