Characteristics, influencing factors, and prediction of fractures in weathered crust karst reservoirs: A case study of the Ordovician Majiagou Formation in the Daniudi Gas Field, Ordos Basin, China

Abstract

The study of fractures in karst reservoirs is a hot spot in the field of geosciences. In this article, we conducted a systematic study on the characteristics, influencing factors, and prediction methods of karst reservoir fractures of the Ordovician Majiagou Formation in the Daniudi Gas Field, China. Both weathering and tectonic fractures are mainly developed in the Ma 5 member of the Majiagou Formation. The former is categorized into surface weathering, steep wall tensile and karst collapse fractures, and the latter is made of tensile and shear fractures. The palaeo‐temperatures of the fracture filling inclusions range from 90 to 140°C, peaking at 111–120°C, which are derived from oxygen isotopes of −7.9 to −17.5‰, with average −14.1‰ from the same filling inclusions. Integrations of regional tectonic activities, inclusion tests, and stable isotope analysis recognizes four formation periods of fractures since the Caledonian. The factors controlling the development degree of the karst reservoir fractures include lithology, petrophysical properties, rock layer thickness, structural deformation strength, and karst palaeomorphology. The buckling thin plate simulation results show a good positive correlation between the maximum principal stress and tensile fracture density. The same positive correlation is also observed between the shear stress and fracture density. The ancient karst landforms have strongly affected the distribution of weathering fractures. Surficial weathering fractures occur typically in the weathered residual monadnocks, while steep wall tension ruptures in areas near geomorphic steep ridges, and karst collapse fractures in karst residual monadnocks and karst pit areas.