An analysis of the types and distribution characteristics of natural gas reservoirs in China

The natural gas reservoir beds of different areas in China can be divided into three kinds, clastic natural gas reservoir bed, carbonate natural gas reservoir bed and special natural gas reservoir bed. They have different combination patterns controlled by deposition, diagenesis and tectonism. Our analysis indicates that the natural gas reservoirs are mainly distributed in the Precambrian, Palaeozoic, Mesozoic, and Tertiary-Quaternary. Craton basin, foreland basin and intracontinental rift basin which contain most of natural gas in China have special geological features and favorable accumulation conditions, and will be important exploration areas in the future.

Limitation of fault-sealing and its control on hydrocarbon accumulation——An example from the Laoyemiao Oilfi eld of the Nanpu Sag

Based on previous studies on the internal structures of fault belts, the fault belts in the Laoyemiao Oilfield of the Nanpu Sag can be divided into three units, a crushed zone, an upper induced fracture zone and a lower induced fracture zone according to the log response characteristics. The upper induced fracture zone is characterized by the development of pervasive fractures and has a poor sealing or non-sealing capability. It therefore can act as pathways for hydrocarbon migration. The lower induced fracture zone consists of fewer fractures and has limited sealing capability. The crushed zone has a good sealing capability comparable to mudstone and can thus prevent lateral migration of fluid. Through physical modeling and comparing laboratory data with calculated data of oil column heights of traps sealed by faults, it is concluded that the fault-sealing capability for oil and gas is limited. When the oil column height reaches a threshold, oil will spill over from the top of reservoir along the lower induced fracture zone under the action of buoyancy, and the size of reservoir will remain unchanged. Analysis of the formation mechanisms of the fault-sealed reservoirs in the Nanpu Sag indicated that the charging sequence of oil and gas in the reservoir was from lower formation to upper formation, with the fault playing an important role in oil and gas accumulation. The hydrocarbon potential in reverse fault-sealed traps is much better than that in the consequent fault-sealed traps. The reverse fault-sealed traps are favorable and preferred exploration targets.

Relationship between components of inclusion and hydrocarbon accumulation in the Yunlong Depression,Chuxiong Basin

The Yunlong Depression, Chuxiong Basin, Yunnan Province, southwest China is one of the least explored areas in China. A RAMANOR-U1000 laser Raman probe was used to investigate the gas phase and liquid phase components in 28 inclusions from outcrop and core in the Yunlong Depression. An investigation into hydrocarbon prospect and accumulation characteristics in the study area was performed by studying inclusion components. Oil and gas are the richest in the Devonian according to the organic inclusion content, which supports the prior research findings with conventional methods. Multitime accumulation of oil and gas in the study area was also recognized through analysis of inclusion components. This study could provide a reference for the exploration ofoil and gas in this area.

Seismic Physical Modeling Technology and Its Applications

This paper introduces the seismic physical modeling technology in the CNPC Key Lab of Geophysical Exploration. It includes the seismic physical model positioning system, the data acquisition system, sources, transducers, model materials, model building techniques, precision measurements of model geometry, the basic principles of the seismic physical modeling and experimental methods, and two physical model examples.

Genesis of the low-permeability reservoir bed of upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation in Xinchang gas field,western Sichuan Depression

The genesis of a reservoir is a result of the combined action of deposition, diagenesis, tectonic reworking, and interaction of rock and fluid and the evolutionary environment. We discuss the genetic and evolution mechanism of a low-permeability reservoir bed of the Xujiahe Formation in the western Sichuan Depression on the basis of the study of diagenesis, diagenetic reservoir facies and the diagenetic evolution sequence. The research indicated that this reservoir bed can be divided into five types of diagenetic reservoir facies, namely strong dissolution, chlorite-lined intergranular pores, compaction and pressure solution, carbonate cementation and secondary quartz increase. There are, however, just two diagenetic reservoir facies which provide low-permeability reservoir beds, namely strong dissolution and chlorite-lined intergranular pores. We also analyzed their diagenetic evolution sequences and the origin of the low-permeability reservoir bed. Besides, it was also indicated that the composition and structure of sandstones, types of sedimentary microfacies, diagenesis history as well as the tectonic reworking in later periods are the main factors controlling the formation of the low-permeability reservoir bed. The above- mentioned factors establish the foundation for the forecasting the distribution of high quality reservoir beds.

Geophysical methods for the study of sedimentary cycles

We present the wavelet depth-frequency analysis and variable-scale frequency cycle analysis methods to study sedimentary cycles. The spectrum analysis, variable-scale frequency cycle analysis, and wavelet depth-frequency analysis methods are mainly discussed to distinguish sedimentary cycles of different levels. The spectrum analysis method established the relationship between the spectrum characteristics and the thickness and number of sedimentary cycles. Both the variable-scale frequency cycle analysis and the wavelet depth-frequency analysis are based on the wavelet transform. The variable-scale frequency cycle analysis is used to obtain the relationship between the periodic changes of frequency in different scales and sedimentary cycles, and the wavelet depth-frequency analysis is used to obtain the relationship between migration changes of frequency energy clusters and sedimentary cycles. We designed a soft-ware system to process actual logging data from the Changqing Oilfield to analyze the sedimentary cycles, which verified the effectiveness of the three methods, and good results were obtained.

Genetic models of structural traps related to normal faults in the Putaohua Oilfield,Songliao Basin

The Putaohua Oilfield is a fault-prolific area and the faults have close relation with structural traps. The genetic models of the structural traps in the Putaohua Oilfield can be divided into two types： individual fault model and multi-fault interaction model. This is based on the description of displacement distribution of typical individual normal faults, the geometry of the footwall and hanging wall, and the analysis of the interaction between faults and the corresponding change in geometry when the faults grow. The individual fault model is that the displacement reaches a maximum at or near the center of fault and decreases toward the fault tips, so a half-graben is formed on the hanging wall of the fault and a half- anticline is formed on the footwall because of the isostatic process. The multi-fault interaction model is that during the growth of faults, they overlap and interact with each other, and accommodation zones are formed in the overlapping segments. The accommodation zones are favorable targets for hydrocarbon exploration, and the trap characteristics are dependent The multi-fault interaction model can be subdivided on the extent of overlap and occurrence of faults. into three types： synthetic accommodation zone, convergent accommodation zone and divergent accommodation zone. Hydrocarbon migration and accumulation models of each type have been developed. The hydrocarbon migration and accumulation models of the traps with different genetic models have their own characteristics in the different stages of fault growth.

2.5-D modeling of cross-hole electromagnetic measurement by nite element method

A finite element method is developed for simulating frequency domain electromagnetic responses due to a dipole source in the 2-D conductive structures. Computing costs are considerably minimized by reducing the full three-dimensional problem to a series of two-dimensional problems. This is accomplished by transforming the problem into y-wave number （Ky） domain using Fourier transform and the y-axis is parallel to the structural strike. In the Ky domain, two coupled partial differential equations for magnetic field Hy and electric field Ey are derived. For a specific value of Ky, the coupled equations are solved by the finite element method with isoparametric elements in the x-z plane. Application of the inverse Fourier transform to the Ky, domain provides the electric and magnetic fields in real space. The equations derived can be applied to general complex two-dimensional structures containing either electric or magnetic dipole source in any direction. In the modeling of the electromagnetic measurement, we adopted a pseudo-delta function to distribute the dipole source current and circumvent the problem of singularity at the source point. Moreover, the suggested method used isoparametric finite elements to accommodate the complex subsurface formation. For the large scale linear system derived from the discretization of the Maxwell＇s equations, several iterative solvers were used and compared to select the optimal one. A quantitative test of accuracy was presented which compared the finite element results with analytic solutions for a dipole source in homogeneous space for different ranges and different wave numbers Ky. to validate the addressed the effects of the distribution range τ of the homogeneous medium. code and check its effectiveness. In addition, we pseudo-delta function on the numerical results in

Design of a cross-dipole array acoustic logging tool

When entering an anisotropic formation, a shear wave splits into a fast wave and a slow wave. Based on the principle of four-component cross-dipole acoustic wave measurement, the anisotropy of HTI （Horizontal Transverse Isotropy） formation can be determined. The method of calculating the fast and slow wave data when a shear wave propagates along the borehole axis in anisotropic formation was analyzed, and the implementation of a cross-dipole acoustic logging tool was demonstrated. The tool was composed of transmitter electronics, transmitter mandrel, acoustic isolator, receiver mandrel and main control electronics. Sonde, transmitter circuit, signal receiving and processing circuit, data acquisition system, system control circuit and telemetry interface circuit were presented and analyzed. The test model was used in production wells and standard wells in various areas and the four-component cross-dipole waves were acquired and processed. The waves had good signal-to-noise ratio and clear characteristics, and the fast and slow waveforms, processed slowness curves, anisotropy and fast shear wave azimuth well matched with each other.

Sequence stratigraphy and depositional systems in the Paleogene,Liaodong Bay

Based on drilling and seismic data, the Paleogene developed in Liaodong Bay can be divided into five third-order sequences bounded by six sequence boundaries. Through analyzing depositional systems in each sequence in detail, the Es-3 time was defined as fast rifting. During the deposition of the Es-3 member, the lake basin was continuous along the N-S direction but compartmentalized along the E-W direction by several N-S trending faults. Deposition was dominated by steep slope fans and fan deltas. The time of Es-2 and Es-1 was stable settling. The lake basin expanded substantially. The fan delta system and braided fluvial system were developed. Carbonate and clastic deposits were formed on the Liaoxi （west Liaohe） Rise. The time of Ed-3 time was again fast rifting. During this time, shale was deposited. In the time of Es-2, tectonic movement weakened. The basin was higher in the west and north, and lower in the east and south. A series of delta depositional systems were developed and smallscale slumping turbidite fans were present in semi-deep lake to deep lake. In the time of Ed-1, tectonic movement stopped. Flood plain deposition occurred. Finally the paper presents the characteristics of evolution and distribution of depositional systems both vertically and horizontally.

Dispersion Properties of NMR Relaxation for Crude Oil

Special requirements for design of tools used for wireline NMR logging and NMR logging while drilling and for interpretation model are demanded due to the dispersion properties of NMR relaxation for crude oil. NMR longitudinal relaxation time （T1） and transverse relaxation time （T2） of the dead oil samples with different viscosities were measured by NMR spectrometers with a Larmor frequency of 2 MHz and 23 MHz at five different temperatures respectively. The results showed that T~ was obviously dependent on the Larmor frequency of NMR spectrometer. The degree of T1 dispersion became stronger with the increasing crude oil viscosity, Larmor frequency and the viscosity/temperature ratio. T2 was independent of NMR spectrometer measuring frequency. It is suggested that the resonance frequency should be selected lower than 2 MHz when measuring T1 in logging while-drilling and that T1 dispersion should be corrected when Larmor frequency is higher than 2 MHz.

Exploration risk evaluation using object-based modeling,an example from the Tertiary fractured play,western Qaidam Basin of China

Geological risk evaluation reveals the uncertainty of converting an anticipated resource potential in an identified exploration target into an economic petroleum accumulation prior to drilling. Providing consistent and unbiased estimates of geological risk for all exploration targets in an area of interest is essential in risk evaluation. This paper discusses the potential use of an object-based stochastic procedure for geological risk evaluation at the play level. The object-based model of Super SD, as a data integration tool, can integrate geological information of petroleum system elements that control occurrences of petroleum pools with the spatial correlation characteristics of the discoveries in a play. Other information, such as the estimated total play potential and size characteristics, from conventional resource assessments can be also incorporated into the model as geological constraints. The uncertainty associated with the data and domain knowledge in the predicted pool locations is expressed as a probability map, representing the geological exploration risk of the play. By incorporating all available inibrmation and checking the consistency of models with geological constraints, the object-based model improves predictions of petroleum occurrences, thus enhancing the associated risk evaluation. The proposed method was applied to the fractured petroleum play of the western Qaidam Basin in northwestern China in order to illustrate the use of the object-based method for risk evaluation.

Gas-water stratified flow patterns from electromagnetic tomography

Because of gravitational differentiation of multi-phase fluids, gas-water flow is usually stratified in highly inclined or horizontal gas wells. By using electrode arrays to scan flowing fluids, electromagnetic tomography can identify the flow patterns of mixed fluid from the different electrical properties of gas and water. The responses for different gas-water interface locations were calculated and then physical measurements were undertaken. We compared the results of the numerical simulation with the experimental data, and found that the response characteristics were consistent in the circumstances of uniform physical fields and stratified flows. By analyzing the signal characteristics, it is found that, with the change of the interface location, the response curves showed ＂steps＂ whose position and width were decided by the location of fluid interface. The measurement accuracy of this method depended on the vertical distance between adjacent electrodes. The results showed that computer simulation can simulate the measurement of the electromagnetic tomography accurately, so the physical experiment can be replaced.