Pore connectivity evaluation and seepage characteristic of ultra deep carbonate reservoirs of permian Qixia formation in NW Sichuan basin

Abstract Ultra-deep carbonate reservoirs in the Permian Qixia Formation of the Sichuan Basin, particularly those exceeding 7000 m in depth, have emerged as a significant focus for exploration and development. However, production capacities between adjacent wells can vary by up to two orders of magni...

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Main Authors: Hao Lu, Zike Ma, Hu Li, Penglei Yan, Xian Liu, Jiale Liu, Cheng Ma, Bo Kang, Boning Zhang, Yulong Zhao, Liehui Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-99466-y
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author Hao Lu
Zike Ma
Hu Li
Penglei Yan
Xian Liu
Jiale Liu
Cheng Ma
Bo Kang
Boning Zhang
Yulong Zhao
Liehui Zhang
author_facet Hao Lu
Zike Ma
Hu Li
Penglei Yan
Xian Liu
Jiale Liu
Cheng Ma
Bo Kang
Boning Zhang
Yulong Zhao
Liehui Zhang
author_sort Hao Lu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Ultra-deep carbonate reservoirs in the Permian Qixia Formation of the Sichuan Basin, particularly those exceeding 7000 m in depth, have emerged as a significant focus for exploration and development. However, production capacities between adjacent wells can vary by up to two orders of magnitude due to the multi-scale heterogeneity of pore connectivity, which poses challenges for accurately predicting well performance. This study utilizes thin-section analysis, high-pressure mercury injection (HPMI), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and other techniques to investigate pore connectivity in ultra-deep reservoirs. It also explores methods for evaluating the connectivity of multi-scale pore networks in the Qixia Formation. The analysis reveals distinct permeability contribution patterns and connectivity characteristics across different reservoir types. Results indicate that the carbonate reservoirs in the Qixia Formation are predominantly composed of dolomite, with intercrystalline pores, dissolution pores, and fractures constituting the primary pore types. The pore-throat size distribution exhibits significant heterogeneity, as evidenced by a multi-peak distribution curve. Approximately 25% of the reservoirs contain well-connected pores, and a threshold radius (r25) is identified as a key parameter for assessing connectivity. Overall, pore connectivity within the reservoirs is limited, with fractures playing a critical role in linking isolated pore spaces. This study introduces the parameter SHgf, which quantitatively evaluates the connectivity of multi-scale pore networks and distinguishes the abundance of fractures within the reservoir using a boundary value of 7%. By analyzing fluid seepage patterns, a permeability contribution model for the four identified reservoir types is established, providing a robust framework for assessing reservoir connectivity. These findings offer valuable insights for predicting production capacities and optimizing development strategies in ultra-deep carbonate reservoirs.
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spelling doaj-art-0b230bbd7fe242b7b854d5487ff600dd2025-08-20T03:46:04ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111710.1038/s41598-025-99466-yPore connectivity evaluation and seepage characteristic of ultra deep carbonate reservoirs of permian Qixia formation in NW Sichuan basinHao Lu0Zike Ma1Hu Li2Penglei Yan3Xian Liu4Jiale Liu5Cheng Ma6Bo Kang7Boning Zhang8Yulong Zhao9Liehui Zhang10Southwest Petroleum UniversityPetro China Southwest Oill & Gasfield CompanySchool of Economics, Sichuan University of Science and EngineeringSouthwest Petroleum UniversitySouthwest Petroleum UniversitySouthwest Petroleum UniversityChengdu North Petroleum Exploration and Development Co., LtdChengdu North Petroleum Exploration and Development Co., LtdChengdu North Petroleum Exploration and Development Co., LtdSouthwest Petroleum UniversitySouthwest Petroleum UniversityAbstract Ultra-deep carbonate reservoirs in the Permian Qixia Formation of the Sichuan Basin, particularly those exceeding 7000 m in depth, have emerged as a significant focus for exploration and development. However, production capacities between adjacent wells can vary by up to two orders of magnitude due to the multi-scale heterogeneity of pore connectivity, which poses challenges for accurately predicting well performance. This study utilizes thin-section analysis, high-pressure mercury injection (HPMI), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and other techniques to investigate pore connectivity in ultra-deep reservoirs. It also explores methods for evaluating the connectivity of multi-scale pore networks in the Qixia Formation. The analysis reveals distinct permeability contribution patterns and connectivity characteristics across different reservoir types. Results indicate that the carbonate reservoirs in the Qixia Formation are predominantly composed of dolomite, with intercrystalline pores, dissolution pores, and fractures constituting the primary pore types. The pore-throat size distribution exhibits significant heterogeneity, as evidenced by a multi-peak distribution curve. Approximately 25% of the reservoirs contain well-connected pores, and a threshold radius (r25) is identified as a key parameter for assessing connectivity. Overall, pore connectivity within the reservoirs is limited, with fractures playing a critical role in linking isolated pore spaces. This study introduces the parameter SHgf, which quantitatively evaluates the connectivity of multi-scale pore networks and distinguishes the abundance of fractures within the reservoir using a boundary value of 7%. By analyzing fluid seepage patterns, a permeability contribution model for the four identified reservoir types is established, providing a robust framework for assessing reservoir connectivity. These findings offer valuable insights for predicting production capacities and optimizing development strategies in ultra-deep carbonate reservoirs.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-99466-yUltra-deep carbonate reservoirsConnectivity of multi-scale pore networkFracturePermeability contributionThreshold radius
spellingShingle Hao Lu
Zike Ma
Hu Li
Penglei Yan
Xian Liu
Jiale Liu
Cheng Ma
Bo Kang
Boning Zhang
Yulong Zhao
Liehui Zhang
Pore connectivity evaluation and seepage characteristic of ultra deep carbonate reservoirs of permian Qixia formation in NW Sichuan basin
Scientific Reports
Ultra-deep carbonate reservoirs
Connectivity of multi-scale pore network
Fracture
Permeability contribution
Threshold radius
title Pore connectivity evaluation and seepage characteristic of ultra deep carbonate reservoirs of permian Qixia formation in NW Sichuan basin
title_full Pore connectivity evaluation and seepage characteristic of ultra deep carbonate reservoirs of permian Qixia formation in NW Sichuan basin
title_fullStr Pore connectivity evaluation and seepage characteristic of ultra deep carbonate reservoirs of permian Qixia formation in NW Sichuan basin
title_full_unstemmed Pore connectivity evaluation and seepage characteristic of ultra deep carbonate reservoirs of permian Qixia formation in NW Sichuan basin
title_short Pore connectivity evaluation and seepage characteristic of ultra deep carbonate reservoirs of permian Qixia formation in NW Sichuan basin
title_sort pore connectivity evaluation and seepage characteristic of ultra deep carbonate reservoirs of permian qixia formation in nw sichuan basin
topic Ultra-deep carbonate reservoirs
Connectivity of multi-scale pore network
Fracture
Permeability contribution
Threshold radius
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-99466-y
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