Lithofacies controls on gas accumulation in tight sandstone reservoirs: insights from the Permian Shihezi formation, south-western Ordos Basin, China
IntroductionDeep tight sandstone reservoirs exhibit significant heterogeneity in both reservoir quality and gas-bearing properties. Although research on the quality of tight sand-stone reservoirs has been relatively thorough, the relationship between the sedimentary-diagenetic-hydrocarbon accumulati...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Earth Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2025.1610578/full |
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| author | Xiaoming Wu Xiaoming Wu Zhongbin Chen Zhicheng Shen Yanxin Bao Zheng Lan Puxin Liu Luxing Dou Zhigang Wen |
| author_facet | Xiaoming Wu Xiaoming Wu Zhongbin Chen Zhicheng Shen Yanxin Bao Zheng Lan Puxin Liu Luxing Dou Zhigang Wen |
| author_sort | Xiaoming Wu |
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| description | IntroductionDeep tight sandstone reservoirs exhibit significant heterogeneity in both reservoir quality and gas-bearing properties. Although research on the quality of tight sand-stone reservoirs has been relatively thorough, the relationship between the sedimentary-diagenetic-hydrocarbon accumulation processes experienced by different lithofacies and their gas-bearing properties remains to be further explored.MethodsThis study focuses on the deep tight reservoirs of the He 8 Member of the Permian Shihezi Formation in the Huanjiang area of the Ordos Basin. By utilizing core samples, well logging data, and laboratory analysis, the basic characteristics of reservoir lithofacies were first analyzed. Subsequently, the distribution patterns of tight gas reservoir quality were clarified, and the controlling effects of sedimentary-diagenetic-hydrocarbon accumulation processes on gas-bearing properties were further investigated.ResultsThe study reveals that the He 8 Member reservoirs develop seven types of lithofacies, which can be categorized into two major groups: coarse-grained and fine-grained lithofacies. The overall porosity and permeability of the He 8 Member tight reservoirs are low, indicating dense reservoirs.DiscussionDue to significant differences in diagenetic processes between coarse-grained and fine-grained lithofacies, the coarse-grained lithofacies exhibit better physical properties. The fluid inclusion data suggest that natural gas may have preferentially migrated into coarse-grained, favorable lithofacies zones during the charging period, when the reservoirs were likely already in a relatively compacted state. This possible migration pattern could potentially lead to some degree of correlation between gas-bearing properties and reservoir quality, though further evidence is needed to confirm this relationship. The heterogeneity in gas-bearing properties of tight reservoirs is primarily controlled by the combined effects of lithofacies composition and structure, diagenetic processes, and the history of natural gas charging. This study proposes a geological model for the development of gas-bearing geological sweet spots controlled by favorable lithofacies. The sweet spot model has been validated through exploration practices and has guided the discovery of industrial gas flow wells. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b1078d650e5e4e1bb11251e5a1054595 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2296-6463 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Earth Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-b1078d650e5e4e1bb11251e5a10545952025-08-20T03:15:34ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Earth Science2296-64632025-07-011310.3389/feart.2025.16105781610578Lithofacies controls on gas accumulation in tight sandstone reservoirs: insights from the Permian Shihezi formation, south-western Ordos Basin, ChinaXiaoming Wu0Xiaoming Wu1Zhongbin Chen2Zhicheng Shen3Yanxin Bao4Zheng Lan5Puxin Liu6Luxing Dou7Zhigang Wen8College of Resources and Environment, Yangtze University, Wuhan, ChinaNo.7 Oil Production Plant, PetroChina Changqing Oilfield Company, Xi’an, ChinaNo.7 Oil Production Plant, PetroChina Changqing Oilfield Company, Xi’an, ChinaNo.7 Oil Production Plant, PetroChina Changqing Oilfield Company, Xi’an, ChinaNo.7 Oil Production Plant, PetroChina Changqing Oilfield Company, Xi’an, ChinaNo.7 Oil Production Plant, PetroChina Changqing Oilfield Company, Xi’an, ChinaSchool of Geosciences, Yangtze University, Wuhan, ChinaCollege of Resources and Environment, Yangtze University, Wuhan, ChinaCollege of Resources and Environment, Yangtze University, Wuhan, ChinaIntroductionDeep tight sandstone reservoirs exhibit significant heterogeneity in both reservoir quality and gas-bearing properties. Although research on the quality of tight sand-stone reservoirs has been relatively thorough, the relationship between the sedimentary-diagenetic-hydrocarbon accumulation processes experienced by different lithofacies and their gas-bearing properties remains to be further explored.MethodsThis study focuses on the deep tight reservoirs of the He 8 Member of the Permian Shihezi Formation in the Huanjiang area of the Ordos Basin. By utilizing core samples, well logging data, and laboratory analysis, the basic characteristics of reservoir lithofacies were first analyzed. Subsequently, the distribution patterns of tight gas reservoir quality were clarified, and the controlling effects of sedimentary-diagenetic-hydrocarbon accumulation processes on gas-bearing properties were further investigated.ResultsThe study reveals that the He 8 Member reservoirs develop seven types of lithofacies, which can be categorized into two major groups: coarse-grained and fine-grained lithofacies. The overall porosity and permeability of the He 8 Member tight reservoirs are low, indicating dense reservoirs.DiscussionDue to significant differences in diagenetic processes between coarse-grained and fine-grained lithofacies, the coarse-grained lithofacies exhibit better physical properties. The fluid inclusion data suggest that natural gas may have preferentially migrated into coarse-grained, favorable lithofacies zones during the charging period, when the reservoirs were likely already in a relatively compacted state. This possible migration pattern could potentially lead to some degree of correlation between gas-bearing properties and reservoir quality, though further evidence is needed to confirm this relationship. The heterogeneity in gas-bearing properties of tight reservoirs is primarily controlled by the combined effects of lithofacies composition and structure, diagenetic processes, and the history of natural gas charging. This study proposes a geological model for the development of gas-bearing geological sweet spots controlled by favorable lithofacies. The sweet spot model has been validated through exploration practices and has guided the discovery of industrial gas flow wells.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2025.1610578/fulldeep tight gasreservoir qualitygas content differenceHe 8 memberOrdos Basin |
| spellingShingle | Xiaoming Wu Xiaoming Wu Zhongbin Chen Zhicheng Shen Yanxin Bao Zheng Lan Puxin Liu Luxing Dou Zhigang Wen Lithofacies controls on gas accumulation in tight sandstone reservoirs: insights from the Permian Shihezi formation, south-western Ordos Basin, China Frontiers in Earth Science deep tight gas reservoir quality gas content difference He 8 member Ordos Basin |
| title | Lithofacies controls on gas accumulation in tight sandstone reservoirs: insights from the Permian Shihezi formation, south-western Ordos Basin, China |
| title_full | Lithofacies controls on gas accumulation in tight sandstone reservoirs: insights from the Permian Shihezi formation, south-western Ordos Basin, China |
| title_fullStr | Lithofacies controls on gas accumulation in tight sandstone reservoirs: insights from the Permian Shihezi formation, south-western Ordos Basin, China |
| title_full_unstemmed | Lithofacies controls on gas accumulation in tight sandstone reservoirs: insights from the Permian Shihezi formation, south-western Ordos Basin, China |
| title_short | Lithofacies controls on gas accumulation in tight sandstone reservoirs: insights from the Permian Shihezi formation, south-western Ordos Basin, China |
| title_sort | lithofacies controls on gas accumulation in tight sandstone reservoirs insights from the permian shihezi formation south western ordos basin china |
| topic | deep tight gas reservoir quality gas content difference He 8 member Ordos Basin |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2025.1610578/full |
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