Fault system impact on paleokarst distribution in the Ordovician Yingshan Formation in the central Tarim basin,northwest China

The paleokarst-unconformity at the top of the Ordovician Yingshan Formation in the central Tarim basin was exposed to air for at least 10 Ma, providing favorable conditions for the later formation of high-quality reservoirs. During the karstification process, the fault system plays an important role in controlling the development of paleokarst. This study characterized the fault system through the paleokarst features on the northern slope of the Tazhong High and examined in detail the impacts of the fault system on paleokarst distribution. Formation Micro-Imager logs and seismic curvature change rate were used for characterizing the fault system in different scales. The results revealed three sets of faults in this region. Cross-cutting relationships, unconformities, and relation between faults and karstification indicate Mid-to-Late Ordovician thrust faults, Silurian-Devonian strike-slip faults, and Permian tension faults. “Bright spots” in seismic records calibrated by Formation Micro-Imager logs were used for indicating paleokarst features and different depth distributions, respectively. Furthermore, the study employed spectral decomposition technique to characterize the morphology of paleocave complexes in detail. The results show the Mid-Late Ordovician thrust faults heavily impacted the distribution of paleokarst mainly distributed along master and secondary thrust faults in shallow areas, as well as along master basement-involved thrust faults in deep strata, and along the most pronounced area of paleokarst, Tazhong No. 10 fault zone bounded by back thrusts. The data provides new forecasting information for deep hydrocarbon exploration in paleokarst-related reservoirs of the Yingshan Formation.     

Effects of structural segmentation and faulting on carbonate reservoir properties: A case study from the Central Uplift of the Tarim Basin,China

The largest condensate field of the Ordovician reef-shoal reservoirs, in China, was discovered along the N°1 fault zone in the Tarim Basin. However, current drilling activities are hindered by the low and unstable production from these carbonate reservoirs. A detailed structural analysis of 3-D seismic data identified three segments along the N°1 fault zone characterized by differences in structural geometry and evolution. Segmentation of the N°1 fault zone has resulted in the variation of characteristics and distribution of the Upper Ordovician carbonate reservoirs. Due to fault induced differential uplift before the Late Ordovician, a narrow and thick-rimmed platform margin rich in reefs has developed in the eastern segment, whereas wider and thinner shoals developed in the central and western segments. We clearly identified a fault block uplift related erosional unconformity, and associated karstification at the top of the Upper Ordovician carbonates in the eastern segment. In this segment, the karst caves resulted in the high and stable hydrocarbon production. In the central segment, good matrix reservoirs exist, but due to the lack of fault-related enhancement of the reservoirs quality, only relatively low production is observed. In the western segment, where fracture-vug reservoirs occurred in relation to later fault damage zones, production is much greater but unstable. Large-scale fracture-caves reservoirs related to fault activity, rather than the good unfaulted matrix reservoirs, lead to the high production of oil and gas. We classify these reef-shoal reservoirs as faulting modified reservoirs. Further exploitation should focus more on the fault damage zone beyond the platform margin rather than the microfacies in the Lower Paleozoic carbonates.     

东海陆架盆地南部中生代断裂系统与盆地结构

以东海陆架盆地南部为研究对象,运用丰富的二维地震资料,在对中生界断裂体系精细刻画的基础上,分析了断裂的展布特征,并就断裂系统对盆地结构的控制作用进行了研究,结果表明：该区域中生界断裂系统十分发育,断层表现出张性或张扭性特征并具有多期活动的特点;根据断裂平面展布及组合特征,可划分出3类构造样式,8种断裂组合;根据断裂发育时间,可将断裂的活动期次划分为燕山期和喜山期;受控于NE和NNE向的断裂系统,中生界盆地构造格局表现为“三凹两凸”结构特征;断裂发育的时间及特点对中生界盆地的构造演化和沉积过程起着重要的控制作用。     

High-resolution characterization and integrated study of a reservoir formation: the danian carbonate platform in the Aquitaine Basin (France)

This paper provides an example of an integrated multi-scale study of a carbonate reservoir. The Danian Lower R2 carbonate reservoir is located in the South of the Aquitaine Basin (France) and represents a potential underground gas storage site for Gaz de France. The Danian Lower R2 reservoir was deposited as a prograding carbonate platform bordered by a reef barrier. The effects of sedimentary and diagenetic events on the reservoir properties, particularly dolomitization, were evaluated. In this study, the reservoir quality has been assessed by seismic analyses at the basin scale, by log-analysis at the reservoir scale, by petrographic methods and by petrophysical tools at the pore-core scale.Two dolomitization stages, separated by a compaction event with associated fracturing and stylolites, have been identified. These diagenetic events have significantly improved the Lower R2 carbonate reservoir properties. It is demonstrated that the reservoir quality is mainly controlled by the pore-geometry, which is determined by various diagenetic processes. The permeability values of the reservoir range over 4 orders of magnitude, from 0.1 to 5600 mD and the porosity values range between 2 and 42%. Reservoir unit 4 (a karstic dolomite) shows the best reservoir properties with average porosity values ranging between 11.1% and 19.3% and an average permeability ranging between 379 and 766 mD. Reservoir unit 2 (a fine-grained limestone) shows the worst reservoir properties. The cementation factors range from 1.68 to 2.48. The dolomitic crystal carbonate texture (mainly units 3 and 4) shows the highest value of the cementation factor (1.98–2.48) and formation factor (9.54–36.97), which is due to its high degree of cementation. The saturation exponents vary between 1.2 and 3.4. Using these experimental electrical parameters and the resistivity laterolog tool we predicted the water saturation in the various reservoir units. The permeability was predicted by combining the formation factor with the micro-geometric characteristic length. The best fit is obtained with the Katz and Thompson's model and for a constant of 1/171.     

In situ stress field evaluation of deep marine tight sandstone oil reservoir: A case study of Silurian strata in northern Tazhong area,Tarim Basin,NW China

Deep marine tight sandstone oil reservoirs are the subject of considerable research around the world. This type of reservoir is difficult to develop due to its low porosity, low permeability, strong heterogeneity and anisotropy. A marine tight sandstone oil reservoir is present in the Silurian strata in the northern Tazhong area of the Tarim Basin, NW China, at a depth of more than 5000 m. The porosity is between 6% and 8%, and the gas permeability is between 0.1 and 1 × 10⁻³ μm². The features of this type of reservoir include the poor effects of conventional fracturing modifications and horizontal wells, which can lead to stable and low levels of production after staged fracturing. Here, we conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the mechanical properties of the rock and the in situ stress of the target tight sandstones by using numerous mechanical and acoustic property tests, conducing crustal stress analysis and using data from thin section observations. The dispersion correction technique is used to transform velocity at the experimental high frequency (1 MHz) to velocity at the logging frequency (20 kHz). The logging interpretation models of the transverse wave offset time, mechanical parameters and in situ stress are calculated, and each model represents a high precision prediction. Simulating the in situ stress field of the Silurian strata using a three-dimensional finite element method demonstrates that the average error between the simulation result and the measured value is less than 6%. The planar distribution of each principal stress is mainly controlled by the burial depth and fault distribution. By conducting in situ stress orientation analysis for the target layer via the analysis of paleomagnetism, borehole enlargement, fast shear wave orientation and stress field simulation, we show that the direction of the maximum horizontal stress is N45E. In this paper, a typical and successful comprehensive evaluation of the stress field of the deep tight sandstone oil reservoir is provided.     

Timing and mechanism of reservoir forming in the Upper Triassic Halahatang Formation,Yuqi block,Tarim Basin,northwestern China

The Yuqi block is an important area for oil and gas exploration in the northern Akekule uplift, Tarim Basin, northwestern China. The Upper Triassic Halahatang Formation (T₃h) within the Yuqi block can be subdivided into a lowstand system tract (LST), a transgressive system tract (TST), and a highstand system tract (HST), based on a study of initial and maximum flood surfaces. Oil in the lowstand system tract of the Halahatang Formation is characterized by medium to lightweight (0.8075 g/cm³–0.9258 g/cm³), low sulfur content (0.41%–1.4%), and high paraffin content (9.65%–10.25%). The distribution of oil and gas is principally controlled by low-amplitude anticlines and faults. Based on studies of fluorescence thin sections and homogenization temperatures of fluid inclusions, reservoirs in the T₃h were formed in at least two stages of hydrocarbon charge and accumulation. During the first stage (Jurassic–Cretaceous) both the structural traps and hydrocarbon reservoirs were initiated; during the second stage (Cenozoic) the structural traps were finally formed and the reservoirs were structurally modified. The reservoir-forming mechanism involved external hydrocarbon sources (i.e. younger reservoirs with oil and gas sourced from old rocks), two directions (vertical and lateral) of expulsion, and multi-stage accumulation. This model provides a theoretical fundament for future oil and gas exploration in the Tarim Basin and other similar basins in northwestern China.     

Geochemistry and charge history of oils from the Yuqi area of Tarim Basin,NW China

The geochemistry, origin and charge history of oils from the Yuqi area of Tarim Basin have been investigated, through GC, GC-MS and fluid inclusion microthermometry analysis. The Yuqi oils accumulated mainly in three intervals: (1) in the Lower-Middle Ordovician Yingshan Formation (O_1-2y) carbonate reservoirs; (2) in the overlying Upper Triassic Halahatang Formation (T₃h); and (3) in the Lower Cretaceous Yageliemu Formation (K₁y) sandstones. Oils from different reservoirs have distinct physical properties, varying from extra-heavy (O_1-2y), heavy (T₃h), to light oils (T₃h and K₁y). However, their geochemical compositions show a high degree of similarity, which indicates that they derive from the same source rock. Abundant tricyclic terpanes, gammacerane, dibenzothiophene and C₂₁C₂₂steranes, together with a low level of diasteranes, indicate an anoxic marine source rock for oils in the Yuqi area. Oil-oil correlation shows that Yuqi oils derive from the same source bed as Tahe oils. The co-occurrence of intact n-alkanes and 25-norhopanes in all the samples supports the proposition that there is a mixture of an early filled severely biodegraded oil and a late filled fresh oil.In this study, charge history is examined on the basis of integration of fluid inclusion homogenization temperature data with 1D burial-thermal history models. Two episodes of oil charging are identified in the O_1-2y reservoir (well YQX1-1) at around 436-420 Ma (Middle-Late Silurian) and 10-3 Ma (Miocene to Pliocene), respectively. For the samples from the T₃h and K₁y intervals, only one episode of oil charge is indicated by the homogenization temperatures of coexisting aqueous inclusions with an inferred timing around 10-3 Ma. The T₃h heavy oil reservoir is assumed to be a secondary hydrocarbon pool, which accumulated by re-migration and re-distribution of hydrocarbons from O_1-2y hydrocarbon pools. The few early biodegraded oils in the K₁y light oils were probably picked up along the migration pathway during the late fresh oil charging.     

南沙群岛海域断裂体系构造特征及其形成机制

南沙地块从中生代晚期开始裂离华南陆缘,在其向南运动的过程中受到欧亚板块、太平洋-菲律宾海板块和印度-澳大利亚板块等几大板块的联合作用,导致该区断裂构造较为复杂。通过对南沙群岛海域地震资料的综合解释并结合前人的研究成果,认为南沙群岛海域断裂构造可分为伸展断裂系、走滑断裂系和逆冲断裂系3类。伸展断裂遍布全区,主要受SE—近S-N向拉张作用,经历两大期次的构造活动;走滑断裂主要分布于南沙地块的周缘,受周缘地块与南沙地块相对运动控制,经历三期构造活动;逆冲断裂主要分布于南沙地块的南缘,受古南海俯冲和逆时针旋转控制,经历三期构造活动。从不同断裂体系的活动期次可见,南沙群岛海域应力系统主要经历了3个演化阶段:早期主要受拉张作用控制,中期主要受拉张和走滑应力控制,而晚期主要受压剪应力控制。     

Fault linkage patterns and their control on the formation of the petroleum systems of the Erlian Basin, Eastern China

Fault linkage patterns in rift basins are very common. While the process of fault linkage may be very short, it changes sedimentation patterns before and after linkage and controls the development of half-grabens. The propagation and growth of boundary faults can be divided into a simple fault propagation pattern and a fault growth-linkage pattern. Based on structural style, sedimentation patterns and oil-source correlations in the Erlian Basin, three types of grabens and petroleum systems can be identified. The Abei graben is controlled by a single boundary fault and forms an independent petroleum system. The Saihantala graben is controlled by several linked faults, which also has an independent petroleum system. The Wuliyasitai Depression controlled by two boundary fault segments which results in two petroleum systems. As not all half-grabens develop one petroleum system; they may, therefore, have two or more systems. The relay ramps between fault segments before linkage are the locations of deposition of sands and conglomerates, and consequently, are the focus areas for stratigraphic–lithologic trap exploration.     

Simulating the effect of subseismic fault tails and process zones in a siliciclastic reservoir analogue: Implications for aquifer support and trap definition

Subsurface, intra-reservoir faults have subseismic portions (the fault tail) and process zones that must be considered for a complete evaluation of their role in a reservoir setting. In this paper we show that this subseismic fault domain, generally associated with all seismically mappable faults, may extend several hundred meters beyond the seismically mapped tip point, depending on vertical seismic resolution and fault displacement gradients along strike. We use reservoir modelling and fluid flow simulation of a sandstone reservoir analogue to demonstrate how a low-permeable process zone may generate steep pressure gradients in the reservoir and affect the tortuosity of reservoir fluid flow. Results and examples combined show how small adjustments in fault interpretations in the subseismic domain may significantly affect trap definition, prospect volumes, project economics and selection of exploration well locations. For production settings, we demonstrate how low-permeable fault tails and process zones may increase flow tortuosity and delay water breakthrough, thereby enhancing sweep efficiency and recovery from otherwise bypassed pockets of hydrocarbons in the reservoir. The results also indicate that process zones may contribute to pressure compartmentalization. Finally, a simple methodology for the estimation of subseismic fault continuity is presented.     

Carbon and strontium isotopes and global correlation of Cambrian Series 2-Series 3 carbonate rocks in the Keping area of the northwestern Tarim Basin, NW China

One hundred and ten carbon and nineteen strontium isotopic values of outcropping Cambrian Series 2 and Series 3 carbonate rocks in the Penglaiba section of the Keping area were analyzed. Effective isotopic data with little influence of diagenesis were used to address the global correlation. The δ¹³C values exhibit two major positive excursions (peaking at 3.1‰ and 3.3‰) and three major negative excursions (peaking at −3.0‰, −4.2‰ and −3.2‰). The carbon isotope excursions (peaking at −3.0‰ and −4.2‰) across the Cambrian Series 2-Series 3 boundary show good correlations with similar variations reported in Siberia, Laurentia, North China and South China. In contrast, the other three carbon isotope excursions (peaking at 3.1‰, 3.3‰ and −3.2‰) do not have a fairly good global correlation because of the lack of biostratigraphic data. With respect to the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios, they show good correlation with those reported for Laurentia, and further support the global δ¹³C comparison. On the basis of these new data, it is showed that the combination of δ¹³C curves and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr variations serves as a powerful tool for correlation and subdivision of Cambrian strata in the Tarim Basin of northwest China, and provides new data for global correlation.     

北部湾盆地涠西南凹陷碳酸盐岩潜山储层特征与主控因素分析

北部湾盆地涠西南凹陷已发现多个碳酸盐岩潜山油田和含油构造,运用岩心、薄片、钻井、测井、地震等资料,对石炭系碳酸盐岩储层特征及主控因素进行了综合分析。研究认为涠西南凹陷碳酸盐潜山主要分布在一号断裂带至二号断裂带附近,其中一号断裂带碳酸盐岩潜山主要为上石炭统黄龙组,岩性为浅灰色灰岩、白云质灰岩、白云岩互层,沉积微相以碳酸盐台地-台缘生屑灰岩滩为主,发育裂缝、溶孔、溶洞等储集空间;二号断裂带碳酸盐岩潜山主要为下石炭统下部石磴子段、孟公拗段,岩性为灰色、深灰色灰岩,沉积微相以台内灰岩滩沉积和台缘生屑灰岩滩为主,发育良好的裂缝型储集层。碳酸盐岩潜山储层发育程度主要受碳酸盐岩沉积环境、地下水活动、古构造应力以及潜山上覆地层岩性等内因和外因诸多因素影响,在这些因素共同作用下,涠西南凹陷碳酸盐岩潜山发育孔隙、裂缝、溶洞等多种储集空间,具备良好的储集条件。     

Evaluation method and application of the relative contribution of marine hydrocarbon source rocks in the Tarim basin: A case study from the Tazhong area

In total, 2.37 million tons of marine crude oil originating from mixed source rocks has been discovered in the Tarim basin. Geological and geochemical analyses have confirmed that these mixed hydrocarbons are mainly from two sets of source rocks, including the Cambrian – Lower Ordovician and Middle-Upper Ordovician hydrocarbon source rocks. In this study, we determined the set of source rocks primarily responsible for the mixed hydrocarbons and the next location to be explored. Differences in n-alkane carbon isotopes in end-member oils from Cambrian–Lower Ordovician and Middle-Upper Ordovician source rocks were examined. A material balance model and simulation methods were used to evaluate the relative amounts contributed by each source. The results from known reserves in the Tazhong area show that the mixing ratio or contribution is up to 65% from Cambrian–Lower Ordovician source rocks and is generally higher than that from Middle-Upper Ordovician source rocks. The discovery of deep hydrocarbons has caused the total oil contribution from the Cambrian–Lower Ordovician to increase. The mixing ratio of Cambrian–Lower Ordovician oil varies depending on the well, formation, and block. It increases from west to east horizontally and from top to bottom vertically. Hydrocarbons from Cambrian–Lower Ordovician source rocks migrate upward along faults, and the mixing ratio decreases as the distance from the oil source fault increases. Favorable areas for Cambrian–Lower Ordovician hydrocarbon exploration are deep layers and areas near the fault zone that are connected to deep layers. The material balance model for carbon isotopes and evaluation methods for relative contributions considered differences in relative concentration and carbon isotope structure of n-alkanes. Herein, new methods for the identification and evaluation of hydrocarbons in the petroleum system of this superimposed basin are presented.     

Mineral types and organic matters of the Ordovician-Silurian Wufeng and Longmaxi Shale in the Sichuan Basin,China: Implications for pore systems,diagenetic pathways,and reservoir quality in fine-grained sedimentary rocks

Mineral types (detrital and authigenic) and organic-matter components of the Ordovician-Silurian Wufeng and Longmaxi Shale (siliceous, silty, argillaceous, and calcareous/dolomitic shales) in the Sichuan Basin, China are used as a case study to understand the control of grain assemblages and organic matter on pores systems, diagenetic pathway, and reservoir quality in fine-grained sedimentary rocks. This study has been achieved using a combination of petrographic, geochemical, and mercury intrusion methods. The results reveal that siliceous shale comprises an abundant amount of diagenetic quartz (40–60% by volume), and authigenic microcrystalline quartz aggregates inhibit compaction and preserve internal primary pores as rigid framework for oil filling during oil window. Although silty shale contains a large number of detrital silt-size grains (30–50% by volume), which is beneficial to preserve interparticle pores, the volumetric contribution of interparticle pores (mainly macropores) is small. Argillaceous shale with abundant extrabasinal clay minerals (>50% by volume) undergoes mechanical and chemical compactions during burial, leading to a near-absence of primary interparticle pores, while pores preserved between clay platelets are dominant with more than 10 nm in pore size. Pore-filling calcite and dolomite precipitated during early diagenesis inhibit later compaction in calcareous/dolomitic shale, but the cementation significantly reduces the primary interparticle pores. Pore-throat size distributions of dolomitic shale show a similar trend with silty shale. Besides argillaceous shale, all of the other lithofacies are dominated by OM pores, which contribute more micropores and mesopores and is positively related to TOC and quartz contents. The relationship between pore-throat size and pore volume shows that most pore volumes are provided by pore throats with diameters <50 nm, with a proportion in the order of siliceous (80.3%) > calcareous/dolomitic (78.4%) > silty (74.9%) > argillaceous (61.3%) shales. In addition, development degree and pore size of OM pores in different diagenetic pathway with the same OM type and maturity show an obvious difference. Therefore, we suggest that the development of OM pores should take OM occurrence into account, which is related to physical interaction between OM and inorganic minerals during burial diagenesis. Migrated OM in siliceous shale with its large connected networks is beneficial for forming more and larger pores during gas window. The result of the present work implies that the study of mineral types (detrital and authigenic) and organic matter-pores are better understanding the reservoir quality in fine-grained sedimentary rocks.     

Characteristics and genesis of the polygonal fault system in southern slope of the Qiongdongnan Basin,South China Sea

Based on 3D seismic data, the polygonal fault system (PFS) discovered in the southern slope of the Qiongdongnan (QDN) Basin was studied through fine seismic interpretation and coherent cube analysis. The results show that: ① the PFS is mostly composed of small plate-type faults, with fault length of 1–3 km, maximum fault throw of 20–40 m and dip angle of 25°–45°; ② the PFS is mainly observed in the Huangliu Formation, deposited in the early stage of fast slope depression; ③ the PFS is layer-bound and can be separated into two tiers by T31′ interface with obvious channel incision features; ④ the PF of tier2 exhibit “y” structural style, including two parallel faults, master fault and associated fault, dipping in opposite directions. Their intersection relationship can be divided into three classes, and 14 sub-classes based on the fault intersection relationship of master fault and its associated fault; ⑤ the PFS is dominated by two strikes: NE60° and NW150°, indicating that it was controlled by tensile stress produced by differential settlement between the Xisha uplift and QDN basin; and ⑥ its genesis was jointly controlled by the syneresis of clay minerals and overpressure cyclical dehydration.     

鲁西地块新生代断裂体系活动性与深部动力机制

根据野外观察分析, 综合前人研究成果, 对新生代时期鲁西地块的深、浅部构造特征、地震活动性以及动力学机制进行了分析。结果表明, 鲁西地块新生代浅表主体断裂构造格局为NW—NWW走向断裂构成的多米诺式组合, 震源机制解和野外观测揭示, 其具有左旋走滑性质, 并与NE向断裂共同控制了新生代盆地的形成和发育。地球物理资料揭示, 鲁西地块深部15~20km处存在一条缓倾滑脱带和大规模低速异常体, 浅表多米诺式断裂体系归并到该滑脱带, 表现为深浅部构造的脱耦性, 深部高低速异常体的过渡区域控制发育了鲁西地区两条NW向中强地震带。动力学成因上与太平洋板块俯冲作用导致地壳减薄、地幔上涌并在地幔楔中发生小尺度对流有关, 并造成了鲁西地块的隆起抬升。     

Depositional environment and geochemical characteristics of the Lower Carboniferous source rocks in the Marsel area,Chu-Sarysu Basin,Southern Kazakhstan

There are two sets of carbonate source rocks in the Lower Carboniferous layers in Marsel: the Visean (C₁v) and Serpukhovian (C₁sr). However, their geochemical and geological characteristics have not been studied systematically. To assess the source rocks and reveal the hydrocarbon generation potential, the depositional paleoenvironment and distribution of C₁v and C₁sr source rocks were studied using total organic carbon (TOC) content, Rock-Eval pyrolysis and vitrinite reflectance (Ro) data, stable carbon isotope data, gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis data. The data were then compared with well logging data to understand the distribution of high-quality source rocks. The data were also incorporated into basin models to reveal the burial and thermal histories and timing of hydrocarbon generation. The results illustrated that the average residual TOC contents of C₁v and C₁sr were 0.79% and 0.5%, respectively, which were higher than the threshold of effective carbonate source rocks. Dominated by type-III kerogen, the C₁v and C₁sr source rocks tended to be gas-bearing. The two source rocks were generally mature to highly mature; the average Ro was 1.51% and 1.23% in C₁v and C₁sr, respectively. The source rocks were deposited in strongly reducing to weakly oxidizing marine–terrigenous environments, with most organic material originating from higher terrigenous plants and a few aquatic organisms. During the Permian, the deep burial depth and high heat flow caused a quick and high maturation of the source rocks, which were subsequently uplifted and eroded, stopping the generation and expulsion of hydrocarbons in the C₁v and C₁sr source rocks. The initial TOC fitted by the △logR method was recovered, and it suggests that high-quality source rocks (TOC ≥ 1%) are mainly distributed in the northern and central local structural belt.     

Petrological and geochemical constraints on diagenesis and deep burial dissolution of the Ordovician carbonate reservoirs in the Tazhong area,Tarim Basin,NW China

Deeply buried (4500–7000 m) Ordovician carbonate reservoirs in the Tazhong area, Tarim Basin, NW China show obvious heterogeneity with porosity from null in limestones and sweet dolostones to 27.8% in sour dolostones, from which economically important oils, sour gas and condensates are currently being produced. Petrographic features, C, O, Sr isotopes were determined, and fluid inclusions were analyzed on diagenetic calcite, dolomite and barite from Ordovician reservoirs to understand controls on the porosity distribution. Ordovician carbonate reservoirs in the Tazhong area are controlled mainly by initial sedimentary environments and eo-genetic and near-surface diagenetic processes. However, vugs and pores generated from eogenetic and telogenetic meteoric dissolution were observed to have partially been destroyed due to subsequent compaction, filling and cementation. In some locations or wells (especially ZG5-ZG7 Oilfield nearby ZG5 Fault), burial diagenesis (e.g. thermochemical sulfate reduction, TSR) probably played an important role in quality improvement towards high-quality reservoirs. C2 calcite and dolomite cements and barite have fluid inclusions homogenization temperatures (Ths) from 86 to 113 °C, from 96 to 128 °C and from 128 to 151 °C, respectively. We observed petrographically corroded edges of these high-temperature minerals with oil inclusions, indicating the dissolution must have occurred under deep-burial conditions. The occurrence of TSR within Ordovician carbonate reservoirs is supported by C3 calcite replacement of barite, and the association of sulfur species including pyrite, anhydrite or barite and elemental sulfur with hydrocarbon and ¹²C-rich (as low as −7.2‰ V-PDB) C3 calcite with elevated Ths (135–153 °C). The TSR may have induced burial dissolution of dolomite and thus probably improved porosity of the sour dolostones reservoirs at least in some locations. In contrast, no significant burial dissolution occurred in limestone reservoirs and non-TSR dolostone reservoirs. The deeply buried sour dolostone reservoirs may therefore be potential exploration targets in Tarim Basin or elsewhere in the world.     

High-resolution sequence stratigraphy,sedimentology and reservoir quality evaluation of the Yaojia Formation in the Longxi area of the Western Slope,Songliao Basin,China

Delta-front sand bodies with large remaining hydrocarbon reserves are widespread in the Upper Cretaceous Yaojia Formation in the Longxi area of the Western Slope, Songliao Basin, China. High-resolution sequence stratigraphy and sedimentology are performed based on core observations, well logs, and seismic profile interpretations. An evaluation of the reservoir quality of the Yaojia Formation is critical for further petroleum exploration and development. The Yaojia Formation is interpreted as a third-order sequence, comprising a transgressive systems tract (TST) and a regressive systems tract (RST), which spans 4.5 Myr during the Late Cretaceous. Within this third-order sequence, nine fourth-order sequences (FS9–FS1) are recognized. The average duration of a fourth-order sequence is approximately 0.5 Myr. The TST (FS9–FS5) mostly comprises subaqueous distributary channel fills, mouth bars, and distal bars, which pass upward into shallow-lake facies of the TST top (FS5). The RST (FS4–FS1) mainly contains subaqueous distributary-channel and interdistributary-bay deposits. Based on thin-sections, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and high-pressure mercury-intrusion (HPMI) analyses, a petrographic study is conducted to explore the impact of the sedimentary cyclicity and facies changes on reservoir quality. The Yaojia sandstones are mainly composed of lithic arkoses and feldspathic litharenites. The sandstone cements mostly include calcite, illite, chlorite, and secondary quartz, occurring as grain coating or filling pores. The Yaojia sandstones have average core plug porosity of 18.55% and permeability of 100.77 × 10⁻³ μm², which results from abundant intergranular pores and dissolved pores with good connectivity. Due to the relatively coarser sediments and abundant dissolved pores in the feldspars, the FS4–FS1 sandstones have better reservoir quality than the FS9–FS5 sandstones, developing relatively higher porosity and permeability, especially the FS1 and FS2 sandstones. The source–reservoir–cap-rock assemblages were formed with the adjoining semi-deep lake mudstones that were developed in the Nenjiang and Qingshankou Formations. This study reveals the deposition and distribution of the delta-front sand bodies of the Yaojia Formation within a sequence stratigraphic framework as well as the factors controlling the Yaojia sandstones reservoir quality. The research is of great significance for the further exploration of the Yaojia Formation in the Longxi area, as well as in other similar lacustrine contexts.