Characteristics, Formation Periods, and Controlling Factors of Tectonic Fractures in Carbonate Geothermal Reservoirs: A Case Study of the Jixianian System in the Xiong'an New Area, China

Abstract

AbstractAs typical carbonate geothermal reservoirs with low porosity in northern China, the Jixianian System in the Xiong'an New Area is the main target for geothermal fluid exploration. The Jixianian System comprises the Gaoyuzhuang, Yangzhuang, Wumishan, Hongshuizhuang, and Tieling formations. The characteristics, formation periods, and controlling factors of reservoir tectonic fractures have been determined based on analyses of outcrops, cores, thin sections, and image logs. The results show that unfilled fractures account for over 87% and most tectonic fractures are high‐angle shear fractures with angles concentrated at 40° to 70° and the fracture porosity increases linearly with an increased fracture aperture. Within the same tectonic setting and stress field, the lithology and layer thickness are the dominant factors governing the development of tectonic fractures, which are the most developed in dolomites and thin layers. Tectonic fractures were most likely formed in regions near faults or areas with larger stress gradients. The tectonic fractures in the carbonate geothermal reservoirs are roughly divided into four sets: NNW–SSE and NNE–SSW oriented ‘X’‐conjugated shear fractures formed from the Paleozoic to the pre‐Yanshanian Movement; NE–SW‐oriented shear fractures, formed in episode B of the Yanshanian Movement, occurred at the Early Cretaceous; nearly E–W‐oriented tensional fractures formed in the late Yanshanian Movement at the Late Cretaceous to Paleogene, and NEE–SW‐oriented shear fractures formed during the Himalayan movement.