Application of seismic sedimentology in characterization of fluvial-deltaic reservoirs in Xihu sag, East China Sea shelf basin

Abstract

The fluvial-deltaic reservoirs of the Oligocene Huagang Formation in the Xihu sag of the East China Sea shelf basin reflect rapid lateral change in sedimentary facies and poor morphology of conventional slice attributes, which bring difficulties to the reservoir prediction for subsequent exploration and development of lithologic reservoirs. The traditional seismic sedimentology technology is optimized by applying the characteristic technologies such as frequency-boosting interpretation, inversion-conventional −90° phase shift joint construction of seismic lithologic bodies, nonlinear slices, paleogeomorphology restoration, and multi-attribute fusion, to obtain typical slice attributes, which are conducive to geological form description and sedimentary interpretation. The Huagang Formation developed three types of sedimentary bodies: braided river, meandering river and shallow water delta, and the vertical sedimentary evolution was controlled by the mid-term base-level cycle and paleogeomorphology. In the early–middle stage of the mid-term base-level ascending cycle, braided channel deposits were dominant, and vertical superimposed sand bodies were developed. In the late stage of the ascending half-cycle and the early stage of the descending half-cycle, meandering river deposits were dominant, and isolated sand bodies were developed. In the middle–late stage of the descending half-cycle, shallow-water delta deposits were dominant, and migratory medium–thick sand bodies were developed. Restricted paleogeomorphology controlled the sand body distribution, while non-restricted paleogeomorphology had little effect on the sand body distribution. Based on reservoir characterization, the fault sealing type and reservoir updip pinch-out type structural lithological traps are proposed as the main directions for future exploration and development in the Xihu sag.