Characterization of paleo-karst reservoir and faulted karst reservoir in Tahe Oilfield, Tarim Basin, China

Xinbian Lu, Yan Wang, Debin Yang, Xiao Wang

Abstract view|401|times       PDF download|253|times

Abstract


        

The Ordovician carbonate reservoir is the most productive deep-earth reservoir in Tahe Oilfield and other oilfields in Tarim Basin. Exploration and production successes in recent years reveal a new reservoir type, namely faulted karst reservoirs, which is closely related to regional strike-slip faults and very different from the well-recognized paleo-karst reservoir. The paleo-karst reservoirs distribute mainly in weathering crust regions in the northern Tahe Oilfield. Their primary reservoir spaces are meter-scale caves and the fluid conduits are predominantly the unconformable surfaces. In production, paleo-karst reservoirs always have sufficient energy, therefore high productivity. The faulted karst reservoirs mainly develop in southern Tahe Oilfield, controlled by the different ordered strike slip faults and related dissolutions. Their reservoir space is smaller than which of paleo-karst reservoirs. The predominant fluid conduits in these reservoirs are the faults. In production, reservoirs along major strike-slip faults have sufficient energy, high productivity and slow watercut increase like paleo-karst reservoirs. While in areas with less strong energy, faulted karst reservoir exhibits weak productivityand rapid watercut increase, implying a rule of “big fault big reservoir, small fault small reservoir, no fault no reservoir. A comprehensive understanding of the geophysical features, distribution characteristics, reservoir property, and production behaviors of the two reservoir types will assist further exploration and production in Tahe Oilfield and other basins containing such reservoirs.

Cited as: Lu, X., Wang, Y., Yang, D., Wang, X. Characterization of paleo-karst reservoir and faulted karst reservoir in Tahe Oilfield, Tarim Basin, China. Advances in Geo-Energy Research, 2020, 4(3): 339-348, doi: 10.46690/ager.2020.03.11


Keywords


Karst reservoir, faulted karst reservoir, carbonate, Tahe Oilfield, Tarim Basin

Full Text:

PDF

References


Ameen, M.S., Buhidma, I.M., Rahim, Z. The function of fractures and in-situ stresses in the Khuff reservoir performance, onshore fields, Saudi Arabia. AAPG Bull. 2010, 94(1): 27-60.

Bisdom, K., Gauthier, B.D., Bertotti, G., et al. Calibrating discrete fracture-network models with a carbonate three-dimensional outcrop fracture network: Implications for naturally fractured reservoir modeling. AAPG Bull. 2014, 98(7): 1351-1376.

Brandes, C., Tanner, D. Fault mechanics and earthquakes, in Understanding Faults: Detecting, Dating, Modeling. edited by D. Tanner and C. Brandes, Elsevier, Amsterdam, Netherlands, pp. 11-80, 2020.

Budd, D.A., Saller, A.H., Harris, P.M. eds. Unconformities and Porosity in Carbonate Strata. Tulsa, USA, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, 1995.

Burberry, C.M., Jackson, C.A., Chandler, S.R. Seismic reflection imaging of karst in the Persian Gulf: Implications for the characterization of carbonate reservoirs. AAPG Bull. 2016, 100(10): 1561-1584.

Childs, C., Manzocchi, T., Walsh, J.J., et al. A geometric model of fault zone and fault rock thickness variations. J. Struct. Geol. 2009, 31: 117-127.

Cox, S.F. Injection-driven swarm seismicity and permeability enhancement: Implications for the dynamics of hydrothermal ore systems in high fluid-flux, overpressured faulting regimes. Econ. Geol. 2016, 111(3): 559-587.

Faulkner, D.R., Mitchell, T.M., Jensen, E., et al. Scaling of fault damage zones with displacement and the implications for fault growth processes. J. Geophys. Res. 2011, 116(B5): B05403.

Galloway, E., Hauck, T., Corlett, H.D., et al. Faults and associated karst collapse suggest conduits for fluid flow that influence hydraulic fracturing-induced seismicity. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 2018, 115(43): E10003-E10012.

Ge, L., Tong, K., Meng, Z., et al. Construction of an efficient development mode for buried-hill fractured reservoirs in Bohai Bay. Adv. Geo-Energy Res. 2020, 4(2): 162-172.

Hennings, P., Allwardt, P., Paul, P., et al. Relationship between fractures, fault zones, stress, reservoir productivity in the Suban gas field, Sumatra, Indonesia. AAPG Bull. 2012, 96(4): 753-772.

Jenkins, C., Ouenes, A., Zellou, A., et al. Quantifying and predicting naturally fractured reservoir behavior with continuous fracture models. AAPG Bull. 2009, 93(11): 1597-1608.

Jiao, F., Zhai, X. A Unconventional Large Oil and Gas Field of Marine Carbonate Rock: Exploration Research and Practice of Tahe Oil-Field. Beijing, Petroleum Industry Press, 2008. (in Chinese)

Kerans, C. Karst-controlled reservoir heterogeneity in Ellenberger group carbonates of West Texas. AAPG Bull. 1988, 72: 1160-1183.

Kim, Y.S., Peacock, D.C.P., Sanderson, D.J. Fault damage zones. J. Struct. Geol. 2004, 26: 503-517.

Kim, Y.S., Sanderson, D.J. Inferred fluid flow through fault damage zones based on the observation of stalactites in carbonate caves. J. Struct. Geol. 2010, 32: 1305-1316.

Li, Y., Hou, J., Li, Y. Features and classified hierarchical mod-eling of carbonate fracture-cavity reservoirs. Petroleum Exploration and Development 2016, 43(4): 655-662. (in Chinese)

Li, Y., Hou, J., Sun, J., et al. Paleokarst reservoir features and their influence on production in the Tahe Oilfield, Tarim basin, China. Carbonates Evaporites 2018, 33(4): 705-716.

Loucks, R.G., Anderson, J.H. Depositional facies and porosity development in Lower Ordovician Ellenburger dolomite, Puckett field, Pecos County, Texas, in Carbonate Reservoir Rocks, edited by R.B. Halley and R.G. Loucks, Texas, 1980.

Loucks, R.G. A review of coalesced, collapsed-paleocave systems and associated suprastratal deformation. Acta Carsol. 2007, 36(1): 121-132.

Loucks, R.G. Paleocave carbonate reservoirs: Origins, burial-depth modifications, spatial complexity, reservoir impli-cations. AAPG Bull. 1999, 83(11): 1795-1834.

Lu, X., Wang, Y., Tian, F., et al. New insights into the carbonate karstic fault system and reservoir formation in the Southern Tahe area of the Tarim Basin. Mar. Pet. Geol. 2017, 86: 587-605.

Lu, X., Zhao, M., Hu, X. Studies of 3D reservoir modeling: taking Ordovician carbonate fractured-vuggy reservoirs in Tahe oil field as an example. Petroleum Geology & Experiment 2012, 34(2): 193-198. (in Chinese)

Raymond, D.E., Osborne, W.E. Stratigraphy and exploration of the Knox Group in the Appalachian fold and thrust belt and Black Warrior Basin of Alabama. Oklahoma Geological Survey Special Publication 1991, 91(3): 163-180.

Ruan, Z., Yu, B., Wang, L., et al. Prediction of buried calcite dissolution in the Ordovician carbonate reservoir of the Tahe Oilfield, NW China: Evidence from formation water. Chem. Erde-Geochem. 2013, 73(4): 469-479.

Sayago, J., Lucia, M.D., Mutti, M., et al. Characterization of a deeply buried paleokarst terrain in the Loppa High using core data and multiattribute seismic facies classification. AAPG Bull. 2012, 96(10): 1843-1866.

Tian, F., Jin, Q., Lu, X., et al. Multi-layered Ordovician paleokarst reservoir detection and spatial delineation: A case study in the Tahe Oilfield, Tarim Basin, Western China. Mar. Pet. Geol. 2016, 69: 53-73.

Tian, F., Lu, X.B., Zheng, S.Q., et al. Structure and filling characters of paleokarst reservoir 034 rs in northern Tarim basin, revealed by outcrop, core and borehole images. Open Geosci. 2017, 9: 266-280.

Tian, F., Luo, X., Zhang, W. Integrated geological-geophysical characterizations of deeply buried fractured-vuggy carbonate reservoirs in Ordovician strata, Tarim Basin. Mar. Pet. Geol. 2019, 99: 292-309.

Velayatham, T., Holford, S.P., Bunch, M.A. Ancient fluid flow recorded by remarkably long, buried pockmark trains observed in 3D seismic data, Exmouth Plateau, Northern Carnarvon basin. Mar. Pet. Geol. 2018, 95: 303-313.

Wei, W., Xia, Y. Geometrical, fractal and hydraulic properties of fractured reservoirs: A mini-review. Adv. Geo-Energy Res. 2017, 1(1): 31-38.

Wibberley, C.A., Yielding, G., Toro, G.D. Recent advances in the understanding of fault zone internal structure: A review. Geological Society, London, Special Publications 2008, 299(1): 5-33.

Zhai, X. Exploration practice and experience of Tahe giant oil-and-gas field, Tarim Basin. Petroleum Geology & Experiment 2013, 33: 323-331. (in Chinese)

Zhang, Y., Person, M., Rupp, J., et al. Hydrogeologic controls on induced seismicity in crystalline basement rocks due to fluid injection into basal reservoirs. Groundwater 2013, 51(4): 525-538.




DOI: https://doi.org/10.46690/ager.2020.03.11

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c) 2020 The Author(s)

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Copyright ©2018. All Rights Reserved