Channel Sand Bodies Research Articles

Development Characteristics of Single Sand Body of Yan’An Formation in Western Ordos Basin

Abstract The precise characterization of the types and spatial distribution of strongly heterogeneous single sand bodies are a necessary prerequisite for the study of oil and gas reservoir formation. This article takes the Yan’an Formation in the western Ordos Basin as an example to systematically study the internal structure and profile distribution of strongly heterogeneous single sand bodies. The research results indicate that using mud interlayers, physical interlayers, and calcium interlayers as layered interfaces can effectively classify the single sand body types of each small layer in the Yan’an Formation. The drilling rate of a single sand body is between 50% and 85%, and the average number of sand layers is between 3 and 8. When two rivers intersect and are horizontally tangent, due to the mutual erosion of water flow, relatively thick sand bodies can be retained, ultimately resulting in a pattern of relatively thick on both sides and thin in the middle. The single sand body at the bottom is the most developed and has good continuity. In the transverse direction of the river, the continuity of a single sand body is relatively poor, and the extension range of a single sand body is 300m to 1200m. Along the river channel, single sand bodies are developed with good continuity, extending about 2km. The connectivity between the sand body and the well varies with the migration of the river in the transverse river profile of the research area. The lateral contact relationship of a single sand body determines the boundary of the river channel, and the profile characteristics of a single sand body also reflect its planar distribution. The intergranular pores of the Yan’an Formation sand body are relatively developed, and a large number of quartz particles offset the compressive stress of the rock. The corrosion of feldspar particles is relatively strong, retaining a large number of primary intergranular pores. There is a good quantitative relationship between the thickness of sand in a single level channel and the width of the channel. The control of the well network on the sand body is relatively small, and there is room for further densification of drilling. The vertical contact relationship of a single sand body in the Yan’an Formation of the research area can be divided into three modes: separation, stacking, and overlapping. Cut pile sand bodies with good connectivity have good production capacity. The different planar contact relationships reflect the degree of connectivity between channel sand bodies and wells, with lateral cutting type>docking type>isolation type. The side cut sand body has uniform longitudinal water absorption, small water absorption difference, and high-water drive degree. The isolation type has the greatest difference in water absorption rate and the lowest degree of water flooding.

A general framework to optimize fracture parameters in tight gas reservoir of heterogeneous channel sand bodies

Optimizing fracture parameters can unlock the potential of tight gas reservoirs. Various frameworks have been proposed as efficient optimization tools. However, current frameworks are mostly aimed at regular rectangular oil or gas reservoirs. The effect of heterogenous channel sand bodies on fracture parameter optimization has not been discussed. Here, we proposed a general optimization framework. The first step is to establish a heterogeneous channel sand bodies model based on image processing and data interpolation methods. The second step is to couple optimization algorithm and reservoir simulator to optimize fracture parameters. Then the framework is applied to two actual wells in Shaximiao Formation in Sichuan Basin in China. Results show that, the effect of channel sand body on the fracture optimization cannot been ignored. The optimal fractures tend to be concentrated in areas with good physical properties and large control areas. The sand body boundary has a significant control effect on the fracture half-length. For both fracture length and conductivity, double dumbbell shape is better than uniform shape. Our general framework serves as an efficient tool to optimize fracture design in heterogeneous channel sand body, which plays a growing role in enhancing tight gas recovery.

Seismic sedimentology analysis of meter-scale thin sand bodies in the Jurassic Qigu Formation, Yongjin area, Junggar Basin

Seismic sedimentology is an interdisciplinary field that integrates sedimentary geology and geophysics to accurately characterize the spatial and temporal distributions of sedimentary systems. This paper focuses on the Qigu Formation in the Yongjin area of the Junggar Basin, China. The objectives are to establish a high-resolution sequence stratigraphic framework and to clarify the types of sedimentary systems present. Various technical methods, including 90° phase adjustment, attribute clustering, red-green-blue attribute fusion, stratal slicing, and seismic phase-controlled waveform indication inversion, are employed to restore the vertical evolution history of the sedimentary system and quantitatively characterize the spatial-temporal distribution of the thin sand bodies in the Qigu Formation. The results revealed that the Qigu Formation is divided into a third-order sequence, consisting of a lowstand systems tract and a lacustrine transgressive systems tract. During the lowstand systems tract, a thick channel sand body developed in the delta front, exhibiting a non-muddy, intermittent normal grading structure. The lacustrine transgressive systems tract features thin, discontinuous channel sand bodies with mud layers, also forming an intermittent normal grading structure. Two distinct types of delta fronts are identified: the first, formed during the lowstand systems tract, is characterized by branching subaqueous distributary channels in a shallow-water environment. The second, associated with the lacustrine transgressive systems tract, displays a network-like distribution of subaqueous distributary channels in a relatively deeper-water environment.

Prediction of tight sandstone reservoirs by multiwave joint prestack inversion technology: A case study of the Qiulin area in the Sichuan Basin

The Shaximiao (SXM) Formation of the Middle Triassic in the central Sichuan Basin is a river-lake sedimentary system with an average burial depth of 2800 m. The channel sand bodies of the SXM Formation in the Qiulin area are developed with large lateral variation and high- and medium-porosity sand. This leads to great differences in the seismic response and difficulty in predicting the sand bodies and reservoirs using P-wave data. We carry out well-log analysis for different types of sand bodies. The no. 8 sand body of high porosity can be effectively identified using P-wave impedance (PI). Whereas for the no. 7 sand body of relatively lower porosity (mainly due to the higher shale content in the no. 7 sand compared with the no. 8 sand), sandstone and mudstone can be distinguished using S-wave impedance (SI), and reservoirs can be recognized by the P- to S-wave velocity ratio ([Formula: see text]/[Formula: see text]). Based on the PP wave and the P-to-S converted wave (PS wave) (after matching) angle-stacked data, a prestack inversion of multicomponent data is performed. Multiwave joint inversion results (SI and [Formula: see text]/[Formula: see text]) have better accuracy and stronger stability than the PP-wave inversion in practical application. In addition, the PI of the joint inversion more clearly describes the distribution and boundaries of the channel sand and better matches the prediction and drilling data in sand 8. The SI of the joint inversion can identify subtle sand bodies (weak PI contrast) that are difficult to be detected by PP-wave inversion. The distribution of the reservoir predicted by the [Formula: see text]/[Formula: see text] of the joint inversion is clearer (the no. 7 sand body) and better than that by the PP-wave inversion. This study demonstrates the advantage of the multiwave joint inversion technology in tight sand identification.

Seismic Prediction Technology for Channel Sand Body of Fuyu Oil Layer in Xinmin Area, Southern Songliao Basin

The Fuyu reservoir in Xinmin area is a delta plane-front facies deposit, and the channel sand body in this area is the main reservoir of oil and gas. Due to the complex sedimentary environment, the sand body shows great variation in thickness and distribution. In this study, the method of combining well vibration, model forward modeling and stratum slicing are used to predict the sandstone bodies of different thickness successfully. Especially for the thin sand body with a thickness of less than 5 meters, this study found that the GR curve can effectively distinguish sandstone and mudstone through the intersection analysis of logging curves, and applied the GR curve co-simulation inversion technology to perform fine characterization. In addition, the study also reveals that the northeastward twisting fault zone in Xinmin area is a favorable accumulation area of the reservoir, which provides a new direction for oil and gas exploration. This study not only improves the accuracy of sandstone prediction, but also provides a valuable reference for oil and gas exploration under similar complex geological conditions.

Sedimentary evolutionary processes, architecture, and sedimentary model of a lobate shallow-water delta: insights from flume simulation experiments

By using equipment such as time-lapse cameras and 3D laser scanners, this study conducted flume simulation experiments to obtain topographic elevation, the amount of sediment increment, sedimentary cross sections, and other related data and diagrams. Quantitative software was then utilized for sedimentological analysis to clarify the depositional evolution, architecture, and depositional model of lobate shallow-water deltas. The research results show that under the influence of hydraulic conditions and main distributary channels, lobate shallow-water deltas primarily undergo three evolution stages: initial channel formation, distributary channel system formation, and continuous stable evolution stage. The architecture elements of lobate shallow-water deltas can be divided into distributary channels dominated by channel deposition, proximal river mouth bars, transitional bars, and distal bars. The lateral composition and downstream deposition of the river-bar combination are the main structural units of the shallow water delta. The proximal profile distributary channels exist in the form of thick channel sand bodies with multiple repetitive intercalation cycles, and thick proximal bar deposits form on both sides of the distributary channels. The bifurcation of distributary channels in the middle profile leads to a reduction in channel scale, while large-scale proximal bars still develop on both sides of the channel. In the distal profile, a substantial river mouth bar complex is formed at the break of the delta front slope, and with the gradual progradation of the delta, the river mouth bar deposition zone becomes flattened. Based on the insights of the flume simulation experiments, a sedimentary model for lobate shallow-water delta was established.

Ultra-deep channel sand body target recognition method based on improved deep learning under UAV cluster

Abstract River sand bodies have complex and changeable characteristics and distribution. In order to improve the accuracy and efficiency of target recognition, this study proposes a target recognition method of ultra-deep river sand bodies with improved deep learning under unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) cluster. By constructing the cooperative target allocation model of UAV group, it is ensured that the targets of ultra-deep and large-area river sand bodies are collected. The gradient histogram is used to extract the image characteristics of ultra-deep river sand body and enhance the target image of ultra-deep river sand body. Bi-directional long short-term memory (Bi-LSTM) network model is constructed by introducing bidirectional recurrent neural network (RNN) to improve deep learning. Bi-LSTM neural network is used to construct the target recognition model of ultra-deep river sand body and complete the target recognition. The experimental results show that this method can extract the target edge completely and recognize the image edge accurately, and the average recognition accuracy under different ambiguities is higher than 95. It is proved that this method has high accuracy in sand body feature extraction and classification and has great application potential in river sand body target recognition.

Application of Convolutional Neural Network in Quantifying Reservoir Channel Characteristics

After many years of exploitation in the petroleum field, most of the oil fields are in advanced stages of development, with a strong non-homogeneity of the reservoir, more residual oil, and low recovery efficiency. Therefore, research on various methods has been carried out by scholars to improve the rate of recovery and to understand the distribution pattern of residual oil in reservoirs. Among the whole clastic reservoirs, fluvial reservoirs occupy a large proportion, so fluvial reservoirs will be the priority for future reservoir research in China. The key to the fine characterization of fluvial-phase reservoirs is to able to reproduce the continuous curvature of the channel, and one important parameter is the width of the channel. The width of the channel sand body is one of the key factors in designing well programs, and accurately identifying the channel boundary is the key to identifying a single channel. Traditional research methods cannot accurately characterize the continuous bending and oscillating morphology of underwater diversion channels, and it is not easy to quantitatively characterize the spatial structure. Therefore, in this paper, a deep learning method is applied to quantitatively identify the width of a single channel within an underwater diversion channel at the delta front edge. Based on the sedimentary background of the block and modern depositional studies, we established candidate models for underwater diversion channels with channel widths of 100, 130, 160, 190, 220, and 250 m based on target simulation and human–computer interactions. The results show that when the width of the underwater diversion channel is 160 m, it has the highest matching rate with the conditional data and corresponds to the actual situation. Therefore, it can be determined that it is the common width of underwater diversion channel in the study area. And it is shown that the method can accurately identify the width of underwater diversion channels, and the results provide a basis for reservoir fine characterization studies.

Longshore changes in the microfacies and distribution of clastic barrier coastal sandbodies: a case from the Benxi formation in the Ordos Basin, China

AbstractThe Benxi Formation in the Ordos Basin is an important gas-producing layer in the Yanchang gas field. There are critical changes in the microfacies type and extension trend of sandbodies, which affects the understanding of reservoir formation and the deployment of development wells. Based on many core and thin section observations, as well as statistical analyzes of sandstone thickness and percentage of sandstone content from 1446 wells, we analyzed the coastal changes and control factors of the microfacies type, planar morphology and distribution of the Benxi Fm sandbodies in the field. The results indicate that the Benxi Fm of the Yanchang gas field is generally composed of terrigenous coastal clastic barrier deposits in a medium to small tidal range environment, but the wave action in the southern region is weak, forming typical barrier sandbars and backbarrier deposits. The wave actions in the north change more strongly, forming three major microfacies sandbodies: reworked barriers, shoals and incised valley filled tidal channels. The barrier sandbodies are arranged in a belt or bead-like pattern parallel to the shoreline and are distributed longshore near the provenance. The oval-shaped shoal sandbodies are dispersed further from the shoreline, and the filling of tidal channel sandbodies is controlled by ancient geomorphic grooves. This research has important guiding significance for the identification and evaluation of reservoirs in the Yanchang gas field and similar geological settings.

Sedimentary characteristics, formation conditions, and distribution mechanisms of beach bar sand bodies of Chang 82 submember, southwest Ordos Basin

AbstractBeach bar sand bodies are a relatively new type of reservoir in oil exploration where they can be found in the proximity of the source rock. In this study, the genetic type of sand bodies in the Upper Triassic Yanchang Formation in the southwest Ordos Basin is systematically studied through the observation of outcrops, core description, microscopic inspection of thin sections, along with petrophysical properties, mineralogy, and geochemical analysis of trace elements. The results showed that a new sedimentary type of beach bar sand bodies are developed in the Chang 82 submember of the Yanchang Formation, that are generally characterized with a flat bottom and convex top, where the contact interface between the bottom of the single sand body and mudstone is flat, and the bottom lacks erosion and filling structure. Moreover, a variety of wave‐induced sedimentary structures are developed, showing a reverse sedimentary sequence from fine to coarse grains. The structural and compositional maturity of the beach bar sand bodies are higher than that of the river channel sand body. Moreover, reservoir pore type is mainly comprised of intergranular pores, and the porosity and permeability of the samples retrieved from the sand body are much higher than that of the river channel sand body. Finally, the main controlling factors of the formation and preservation of beach bar sands are found to be the lake basin bottom topography, the base level cycle, and the stable paleo‐lake shoreline. During the Chang 82 submember depositional period, a large area where the beach bar sand bodies were deposited parallel to the lake shoreline in the southwest of the basin was created. Such depositional environments had suitable conditions to host large‐scale oil‐bearing reservoirs, as major exploration and development targets in the Ordos Basin in the future.

Architectural Characteristics and Distribution Patterns of Gravity Flow Channels in Faulted Lake Basins: A Case Study of the Shahejie Formation in the Banqiao Oilfield, China

Internal depositional architecture and sand body distribution are the main challenges faced in the development of gravity flow channel deposits in China. Despite significant progress in the exploration and development of gravity flow deposits in recent years, our understanding of the internal architecture of composite sand bodies within gravity flow channels is still limited. Gravity flow channels represent a widely developed sedimentary type in the Shahejie Formation of the Banqiao Oilfield, Huanghua Depression. The lack of understanding of the spatial stacking relationship of gravity flow channel sand bodies hinders further development and remaining oil recovery within the oilfield. Through this study, we aimed to dissect the composite channels (5th architectural units) and single channels (4th architectural units) at the study area, using a combination of well logs and seismic data. We explored the identification criteria and spatial distribution characteristics of internal architectural elements within gravity flow channel reservoirs, based on abundant drilling data, well density grids, and 3D seismic data. By identifying and delineating single channels, we were able to summarize six identification criteria for single channels, including relative elevation differences, curve shapes, and the number of interbeds. We obtained the sand body scale and aspect ratio of single channels and established three depositional architectural patterns, i.e., isolated, lateral migration, and vertical accretion, thus revealing the differences in the spatial stacking relationships of sand bodies in different structural locations (blocks). This work provides new insights into the depositional architectural patterns of gravity flow channel deposits in the Banqiao Oilfield, Huanghua Depression.

Study on geological reunderstanding and adjustment potential of development zone

Development Zone A is a heterogeneous oil field with continental river-delta deposits. The channel sand body is small in scale and is dominated by straight distributary channel sand body. This type of sand body development scale is small, the drilling rate is low, generally only 17.71%, the plane shows a strong heterogeneity, the well pattern control degree is low, the sand body prediction accuracy under the current well pattern condition is low, generally only about 70%. Due to the small scale of sand body development and the development of faults, the contradiction of imperfect injection-production relationship of single sand body is prominent. In 2016, the expansion Wells of Development Zone A were put into operation successively. Based on the re-understanding of the geology of the new drilling area, the adjustment potential of development Zone A was studied, the injection-production relationship of single sand body was clarified, and the adjustment potential was implemented in combination with the results of multidisciplinary reservoir research, so as to achieve the purpose of improving the water drive control degree of the block and improving the injectionproduction relationship of sand body. After careful analysis, it was preliminatively determined that 19 Wells adjusted for injection and production system were reinjected (6 Wells were reinjected after filling holes). Internal supplementary Wells 19; One oil well was regenerated into a water well, and one water injection well was restored. A total of 41 Wells.

Coupled channel–floodplain dynamics and resulting stratigraphic architecture viewed through a mass-balance lens

ABSTRACT Basin-wide accommodation production and associated sediment mass deposition exert fundamental controls on stratigraphic architecture, but the details of this relationship are not fully understood. This is because it is unknown how accommodation production directly influences morphodynamics both in terms of channel process (i.e., channel migration, channel avulsion) and floodplain process, both of which are themselves coupled dynamically and are critical to the nature of stratigraphic architecture. To address this, we expand on existing theory that links sediment mass balance and resultant stratigraphic architecture. We use two fan-delta experiments that each experience different rates of accommodation production to measure key surface morphometrics and subsurface sedimentary characteristics. Importantly, sediment was transported in bedload and suspension in these experiments, resulting in construction of strata characterized by channel bodies surrounded by overbank strata deposited from suspension fallout. From these data we use three key timescales to capture the overall behavior of the system when placed into mass-balance space: avulsion setup timescales (TA) and channel mobility timescales (TV) that define short-term surface autogenics, and an accretion timescale (TC) that incorporates longer-term deposition. We find that the ratio of both TC/TA and TC/TV are independent of accommodation production rate in mass-balance space, which supports a self-organized response of channel dynamics to environmental boundary conditions. The fraction of strata generated from key depositional environments largely supports this behavior, particularly for channel sand bodies that resulted in deposition from bedload transport. As such, our results suggest that channel-body density is independent of accommodation production rate in a mass-balance space. We found that, although contributing to a significant fraction of the basin strata, far-field overbank deposition rates are insensitive to accommodation production and that differences in autogenic timescales between experiments largely resulted from differences in channel deposition rates, highlighting the close coupling between channel dynamics and accommodation generation. More generally the observed self-organized response of surface morphodynamics to accommodation production in mass-balance space provides a process-based framework to explain the utility of balancing mass for the prediction of down-system sediment size fractionation and sedimentary architecture.

The pre-Jurassic Meng-Shaan paleochannel and its control on the accumulation model of Yan 10 reservoir in Central Ordos Basin

In the setting of the increasing density of exploration wells, and the decreasing scale and increasing difficulty of discovering Jurassic paleogeomorphology reservoirs, it is urgent to deepen the fine depiction of pre-Jurassic paleogeomorphology features and to analyze their controlling effect on reservoirs. Based on abundant logging data combined with indoor microscopic observation and experimental testing, the paper applies the theory of reservoir configuration analysis for the first time to the single-channel period division of the pre-Jurassic Meng-Shaan paleochannel which deposited with the braided channel sand bodies. Meanwhile, it reveals the controlling effect of hydrocarbon accumulation and the distribution characteristics of the Yan 101 reservoir as ' paleogeomorphology and sedimentary facies combination' to determine the type, 'migration channel' to determine the distributing range, and 'low-amplitude structure' to determine the trap in the study area, and also the reservoir accumulation modes in different channel ranges have established. In conclusion, the single-channel boundary of the Meng-Shaan paleochannel in different periods controls the path of oil and gas migration, thus controlling the distribution range and reservoir type of the Yan 10 reservoir. Moreover, depending on the production data we derived that it should prefer the composite trap reservoir of the Fuxian period and the Yan 102 period, as well as the structural reservoir on the periphery of the Yan 102 period single-channel for the further exploration of the Yan 10 paleogeomorphology reservoirs within the development range of the Meng-Shaan ancient river. In particular, the lithologic trap reservoirs within the Fuxian period channel and the Meng-Shaan main channel, such as the reservoirs of the 'Source' of the secondary channel type and the paleochannel type, which could as a replacement accumulation model for increasing reserves and production.

Coupled channel-floodplain dynamics and resulting stratigraphic architecture viewed through a mass-balance lens

Basin-wide accommodation production and associated sediment mass deposition exert fundamental controls on stratigraphic architecture, but the details of this relationship are not fully understood. This is because it is unknown how accommodation production directly influences morphodynamics both in terms of channel process (i.e., channel migration, channel avulsion) and floodplain process, both of which are themselves coupled dynamically and are critical to the nature of stratigraphic architecture. To address this, we expand upon existing theory that links sediment mass balance and resultant stratigraphic architecture. We use two fan-delta experiments that each experience different rates of accommodation production to measure key surface morphometrics and subsurface sedimentary characteristics. Importantly, sediment was transported in bedload and suspension in these experiments, allowing for construction of strata characterized by channel bodies surrounded by overbank strata deposited from suspension fallout. From these data we use three key timescales to capture the overall behavior of the system when placed into mass balance space; avulsion setup timescales (TA) and channel mobility timescales (TV) that define short-term surface autogenics, and an accretion timescale (TC) that incorporates longer term deposition. We find that the ratio of both TC/TA and TC/TV are independent of accommodation production rate in mass-balance space, which supports a self-organized response of channel dynamics to environmental boundary conditions. The fraction of strata generated from key depositional environments largely supports this behavior, particularly for channel sand bodies that resulted in deposition from bedload transport. As such, our results suggest that channel body density is independent of accommodation production rate in a mass-balance space. We found that, although contributing to a significant fraction of the basin strata, far-field overbank deposition rates are insensitive to accommodation production and that differences in autogenic timescales between experiments largely resulted from differences in channel deposition rates, highlighting the close coupling between channel dynamics and accommodation generation. More generally the observed self-organized response of surface morphodynamics to accommodation production in mass-balance space provides a process-based framework to explain the utility of balancing mass for the prediction of down-system sediment size fractionation and sedimentary architecture.

Major advancement in oil and gas exploration of Jurassic channel sandstone in Well Bazhong 1HF in northern Sichuan Basin and its significance

In January 2023, Well Bazhong 1HF in the northern Sichuan Basin obtained high-yield industrial oil flow of over 100 cubic meters from the Jurassic channel sandstone for the first time, realizing a major breakthrough. In order to provide more support for further oil and gas exploration in this area, this paper analyzes the sedimentary and reservoir characteristics of the Jurassic Lianggaoshan Formation in Bazhong region of northern Sichuan Basin and their control factors based on the exploration achievements of Well Bazhong 1HF. Then, oil and gas reservoir characteristics and oil and gas sources are comparatively analyzed. Finally, the key technologies for the exploration of channel sandstone oil and gas with multi-stage vertical superimposition, lateral migration, thin reservoir and strong heterogeneity are researched and developed, and the next oil and gas exploration direction in the Lianggaoshan Formation of northern Sichuan Basin is pointed out. And the following research results are obtained. First, in the second member of Lianggaoshan Formation (“Liang 2 Member” for short) in Bazhong region, multi-stage underwater distributary sand bodies of delta front are developed with sandstone thickness of about 25 m and average porosity of 5.6%. The pore types are mainly primary intergranular pores and feldspar/debris intragranular dissolved pores, the pore throat structure is good, and the development of good-quality reservoirs is controlled by the sedimentary microfacies of underwater distributary channel. Second, the oil and gas reservoir of Liang 2 Member is a highly oil-bearing condensate gas reservoir/volatile oil reservoir, whose oil and gas is mainly sourced from the semi-deep lacustrine shale of Liang 1 and 2 Members. Third, channel sand bodies are superimposed and developed continuously in the upper part of Liang 2 and Liang 3 Members, and the source-reservoir configuration is good, with the characteristics of near-source hydrocarbon accumulation and overpressure hydrocarbon enrichment. Fourth, for the channel sandstones with multi-stage vertical superimposition, lateral migration, thin reservoir and strong heterogeneity, the reservoir prediction technology of “high-frequency sequence stratigraphy slice, seismic frequency decomposition and facies-constrained seismic waveform indication inversion” is developed to precisely characterize the “sweet spot” target of narrow channel sandstone, and the key fracturing technology of “dense cutting + composite temporary plugging + high-intensity proppant injection + imbibition and oil-increasing” is formed to realize the large-scale reconstruction of channel sandstone reservoir. In conclusion, the breakthrough of Well Bazhong 1HF in the exploration of Lianggaoshan Formation oil and gas in Bazhong region reveals the huge potential of Jurassic oil and gas exploration in the Sichuan Basin, and plays a positive role in promoting the exploration and development of the Jurassic channel sandstone oil and gas in the Sichuan Basin.

The Upper Triassic Braided River Thin-Bedded Tight Sandstone in the Yanchang Formation, Ordos Basin: Sedimentary Characteristics, Seismic Forecasting Method, and Implication

In the Ordos Basin, Chang 81, a Member of the Yanchang Formation, features the development of braided river thin-bedded tight sandstones. These sandstones constitute one of the main production layers of tight oil and gas in the Yanchang Formation within the basin. This study integrates data from core samples, drilling, and seismic information to identify braided river thin-bedded sandstones in the Chang 81 Member at Daijiaping, Ordos Basin, using a method of constrained correlation between seismic waveform and seismic facies. This approach aids in determining the sedimentary microfacies types and reservoir characteristics of thin-bedded tight sandstones. We establish a quantitative fitting formula for the width-to-thickness ratio of braided channel sand bodies to finely characterize sand body stacking patterns and spatial distribution of thin-bedded tight sandstones in braided channels. Braided delta plain deposits in the Chang 81 Member at Daijiaping mainly comprise four types of sedimentary microfacies: braided channels, crevasse channels, floodplains, and swamps. The thickness of the reservoir sand body of Chang 81 member is mainly concentrated between 5–25 m, with low porosity and permeability, making it a typical thin-bedded tight sandstone reservoir. A method of constrained correlation between seismic waveforms and seismic facies was employed to identify sand bodies of braided river thin-bedded sandstones in the Chang 81 Member, summarizing four sand body stacking patterns: longitudinal incision type, longitudinal separation type, lateral shifting type, and single channel type. Furthermore, a quantitative forecasting formula of width-to-thickness ratio was established for the river channel scale, providing accurate guidance for well deployment. Horizontal wells deployed from the sand body’s side towards its center in a river channel yield a production 1.8 times higher than that of horizontal wells deployed in the opposite direction. Thin-bedded tight sandstones in braided channels, characterized by flat-top and convex-bottom lenticular seismic facies, hold practical significance in guiding the deployment of horizontal well patterns for tight oil and enhancing oil and gas recovery.

Analysis of Oil-Water Distribution Law and Main Controlling Factors of Meandering River Facies Reservoir Based on the Single Sand Body: A Case Study from the Yan 932 Layer of Y Oil Area in Dingbian, Ordos Basin

After the oilfield development enters the medium and high water cut stage, the fine three-dimensional description of the single sand body, the distribution rules of the remaining oil, and its main controlling factors have become the focus of research. The premise is to understand the original oil and water distribution characteristics and the important influencing factors of the reservoir. Taking the Yan 932 reservoir of Y oil area in Dingbian as an example, combined with the meandering river sedimentary model, this paper uses dense well pattern logging data to dissect single sand body on the foundation of the core and logging results. The conclusion shows that, first, Yan 932 layer is divided into two stages: Yan 932-1 and Yan 932-2, which constitute four single sand body superposition configuration modes, namely, type I, type II, type I & II, and type I/II. Second, type I & II is mainly developed in the sand body of the main channel. In the west of the main channel sand body, type I, type II, and type I/II are developed. Only type II is developed in the east of the main channel sand body. Thirdly, sedimentary microfacies, sand body thickness, sand body configuration, and structural characteristics are the key factors influencing the oil-water distribution law of the Yan 932 reservoir.

Sedimentary microfacies characteristics within the high-resolution sequence framework of the Fuyu oil layer in the New North region

The Xinbei Oilfield has gone through decades of exploration and development, and lithological oil and gas reservoirs with stronger concealment are currently the focus of research. It is urgent to implement the sedimentary microfacies and sand body distribution characteristics of the Fuyu oil layer in the Xinbei area, providing a new theoretical basis for predicting the "sweet spot" of facies control in the area. Using core, logging, and logging data from the study area, a high-resolution sequence stratigraphic framework of the Fuyu oil layer was established. The distribution characteristics of sedimentary microfacies within the sequence framework were analyzed. The study showed that the Fuyu oil layer in the study area was divided into one long-term base level cycle of rising half cycle, four medium-term base level cycles, and 13 short-term base level cycles; In the area, river controlled shallow water delta plains and front sediments are developed, and a total of 10 types of sedimentary microfacies have been identified. Among them, the (underwater) distributary channel sand body, as the dominant reservoir sand body, extends along the southwest to northeast direction. As the A/S value increases, four stacking styles are developed vertically, including vertical shear stacking, staggered shear stacking, horizontal shear stacking, and isolated distribution. In the horizontal, the locally developed wide channel sand body composite zone gradually transitions into a single channel.

The conditions and modelling of hydrocarbon accumulation in tight sandstone reservoirs: A case study from the Jurassic Shaximiao formation of western Sichuan Basin, China

Complex tight sandstone reservoirs from the Jurassic Shaximiao Formation on the eastern slope of western Sichuan Basin of China, have the characteristics of narrow channels, thin sandbodies with poor physical properties, strong reservoir heterogeneity, high water saturation, and low productivity of individual wells. The exploration and development of these complex tight sandstone gas reservoirs from the Jurassic Shaximiao Formation of the study area are faced with a huge challenge. The key factors controlling natural gas enrichment is unclear, and it is especially difficult to predict high-yield enrichment zones. Based on the data of drilling wells, cores, logs, and experiments, the methods of organic geochemistry analysis, carbon and oxygen isotope analysis and homogeneous temperature analysis of fluid inclusions are applied, to conduct the conditions and modelling of hydrocarbon accumulation in tight sandstone reservoirs from the Jurassic Shaximiao Formation of the study area. The gas source in the Jurassic Shaximiao Formation of the study area has been analysed based on the previous works. The reservoir characteristics and transportation system have been determined, high porosity and permeability of sandstones from the Js3 sand group, with an average porosity of 9.52%, and an average permeability of 0.376 × 10−3 μm2. Five evolution types of the assembly of the faults and sandbodies can be divided in the study area. The timing of hydrocarbon accumulation from the Jurassic Shaximiao Formation of the study area is determined as three periods on the basis of experienced tectonic movements. It is revealed that the hydrocarbon accumulation of the Jurassic Shaximiao Formation of the study area is mainly controlled by the high-quality reservoir, structure characteristics, fault system and evolution of the assembly of faults and sandbodies, and the pathways of channel sandbodies. The sandstones of high porosity and permeability contacted with listric faults and ramp-flat faults of low dip angle or some minor faults, located in the high point of structure, with the evolution of the assembly of faults and sandbodies of type #i and type #ii, leading to the formation of multiple traps in reservoirs laterally and an amount of natural gas in these sandstones. The channel sandbodies going through the high-potential area (i.e., syncline area) is effectively configured with the source rock faults, it is difficulty for a long-distance hydrocarbon accumulation. Based on the petroleum geological conditions and the main controlling factors of hydrocarbon accumulation, the dynamic hydrocarbon accumulation model from the Jurassic Shaximiao Formation of the study area has been established. These research conclusions can provide the theoretical foundation for predicting the high-yield enrichment zones of the study area.