The genesis of authigenic minerals and the porosity evolution of various lithologies and their implications for identifying high-quality reservoirs in the fourth member of Xujiahe Formation (Northeast-Sichuan Basin, China)

Abstract

With petroleum exploration extending to deeper reservoirs, it becomes more and more difficult to find relatively high-quality reservoirs in heterogeneous sandstones. This research integrates fluid inclusion analysis, petrographic, mineralogical, and geochemical data to determine the origin of authigenic minerals, establish the porosity evolution model and discuss diagenetic effects on reservoir quality of the fourth member of the Upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation. The main rock types of studied sandstones are identified by thin-section, SEM and XRD analysis-feldspathic litharenites, litharenites, calcareous sandstone and chlorite-rich sandstone. Of the four types of sandstone, reservoir porosity of the chlorite-rich sandstone is generally the highest. Target sandstones have experienced complicated diagenetic histories including mechanical compaction, three stages of carbonate cementation, the dissolution of K-feldspar or rock fragments, three kinds of authigenic chlorite precipitation, and two stages of quartz precipitation. Two reaction pathways between K-feldspar and kaolinite were determined and limited dissolution was generated in the closed diagenetic system. Diagenetic sequence and porosity evolution suggest that the critical factors in reducing reservoir quality can be attributed to early intense compaction and widespread calcite cementation. The genesis of high-quality reservoirs among the various lithologies is different. In feldspathic litharenites and litharenites, the key factors for the development of relatively high-quality reservoirs is the acidic dissolution of K-feldspar and less cement being present in the rock. Because chlorite helps retain primary pores by inhibiting quartz overgrowths, almost all chlorite-rich sandstone are relatively high-quality reservoirs. In general, the reservoir quality of calcareous sandstone is poor unless fractures exist that can improve permeability. Determining the porosity evolution of various lithologies is an effective method to predict relatively high-quality reservoirs, which can provide a useful reference for deep petroleum exploration in other areas.