Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A quantitative study of the scale and distribution of tight gas reservoirs in the Sulige gas field, Ordos Basin, northwest China

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Frontiers of Earth Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Gas and water distribution is discontinuous in tight gas reservoirs, and a quantitative understanding of the factors controlling the scale and distribution of effective reservoirs is important for natural gas exploration. We used geological and geophysical explanation results, dynamic and static well test data, interference well test and static pressure test to calculate the distribution and characteristics of tight gas reservoirs in the H8 Member of the Shihezi Formation, Sulige gas field, Ordos Basin, northwest China. Our evaluation system examines the scale, physical properties, gas-bearing properties, and other reservoir features, and results in classification of effective reservoirs into types I, II, and III that differ greatly in size, porosity, permeability, and saturation. The average thickness, length, and width of type I effective reservoirs are 2.89, 808, and 598 m, respectively, and the porosity is > 10.0%, permeability is > 10 × 10−3 µm2, and average gas saturation is > 60%. Compared with conventional gas reservoirs, tight gas effective reservoirs are small-scale and have low gas saturation. Our results show that the scale of the sedimentary system controls the size of the dominant microfacies in which tight gas effective reservoirs form. The presence of different types of interbeds hinders the connectivity of effective sand body reservoirs. The gas source conditions and pore characteristics of the reservoirs control sand body gas filling and reservoir formation. The physical properties and structural nature of the reservoirs control gas-water separation and the gas contents of effective reservoirs. The results are beneficial for the understanding of gas reservoir distribution in the whole Ordos Basin and other similar basins worldwide.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abdulrauf R A, Lamidi B, Syed R H, Abdullah A, Rahul S B (2019). Insight into the pore characteristics of a Saudi Arabian tight gas sand reservoir. Energies, 12(22): 1–27

    Google Scholar 

  • Abuamarah B A, Nabawy B S, Shehata A M, Kassem O M K, Ghrefat H (2019). Integrated geological and petrophysical characterization of oligocene deep marine unconventional poor to tight sandstone gas reservoir. Mar Pet Geol, 109: 868–885

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Amiri M, Yunan M H, Zahedi G, Jaafar M Z, Oyinloye E O (2012). Introducing new method to improve log derived saturation estimation in tight shaly sandstones—a case study from Mesaverde tight gas reservoir. J Petrol Sci Eng, 92–93: 132–142

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Behmanesh H, Hamdi H, Clarkson C R (2015). Production data analysis of tight gas condensate reservoirs. J Nat Gas Sci Eng, 22: 22–34

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bersezio R, Giudici M, Mele M (2007). Combining sedimentological and geophysical data for high-resolution 3-D mapping of fluvial architectural elements in the Quaternary Po plain (Italy). Sediment Geol, 202(1–2): 230–248

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Best J, Woodward J, Ashworth P, Smith G S, Simpson C (2006). Bar-top hollow: a new element in the architecture of sandy braided rivers. Sediment Geol, 190(1–4): 241–255

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bjørlykke K (2014). Relationships between depositional environments, burial history and rock properties—some principal aspects of diagenetic process in sedimentary basins. Sediment Geol, 301: 1–14

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bridge J S (1993). The interaction between channel geometry, water flow, sediment transport and deposition in braided rivers. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 75(1):1–71

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bridge J S, Tye R S (2000). Interpreting the dimensions of ancient fluvial channel bars, channels, and channel belts from wireline-logs and cores. AAPG Bull, 84: 1205–1228

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen P, Tan X, Yang H, Tang M, Jiang Y, Jin X, Yu Y (2015). Characteristics and genesis of the Feixianguan Formation oolitic shoal reservoir, Puguang gas field, Sichuan Basin, China. Front Earth Sci, 9(1): 26–36

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Daniel A, Viktor R (2015). Investigation on fluid transport properties in the North-German Rotliegend tight gas sandstones and applications. Environ Earth Sci, 15: 4322–4331

    Google Scholar 

  • Davy C A, Skoczylas F, Barnichon J D, Lebon P (2007). Permeability of macro-cracked argillite under confinement: gas and water testing. Phys Chem Earth, 32(8–14): 667–680

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Economides M J, Wood D A (2009). The state of natural gas. J Nat Gas Sci Eng, 1(1–2): 1–13

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fan X, Gong M, Zhang Q, Wang J, Bai L, Chen Y (2014). Prediction of the horizontal stress of the tight sandstone formation in eastern Sulige of China. J Petrol Sci Eng, 113: 72–80

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fu X, Agostini F, Skoczylas F, Jeannin L (2015). Experimental study of the stress dependence of the absolute and relative permeabilities of some tight gas sandstones. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci, 77: 36–43

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ghanbarian B, Liang F, Liu H (2020). Modeling gas relative permeability in shales and tight porous rocks. Fuel, 272: 1–11

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guo C, Xu J, Wei M, Jiang R (2015). Experimental study and numerical simulation of hydraulic fracturing tight sandstone reservoirs. Fuel, 159: 334–344

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guo Z, Jia A, Ji G (2017). Reserve classification and well pattern infilling method of tight sandstone gasfield: a case study of Sulige. Acta Petrol Sin, 38: 1299–1309

    Google Scholar 

  • He D, Jia A, Ji G, Wei Y, Tang H (2013). Well type and pattern optimization technology for large scale tight sand gas, Sulige gas field. Pet Explor Dev, 40(1): 84–94

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hooke J (2003). Coarse sediment connectivity in river channel systems: a conceptual framework and methodology. Geomorphology, 56(1–2): 79–94

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hu W, Wei Y, Bao J (2018). Development of the theory and technology for low permeability reservoirs in China. Pet Explor Dev, 45(4): 685–695

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ji G, Jia A, Meng D, Guo Z, Wang G, Cheng L, Zhao X (2019). Technical strategies for effective development and gas recovery enhancement of a large tight gas field: a case study of Sulige gas field, Ordos Basin, NW China. Pet Explor Dev, 46(3): 629–639

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jia A, Wang G, Meng D, Guo Z, Ji G, Cheng L (2018). Well pattern infilling strategy to enhance oil recovery of giant low-permeability tight gasfield: a case study of Sulige gasfield, Ordos Basin. Acta Petrol Sin, 39: 802–813

    Google Scholar 

  • Jiang S, Chen P, Yan M, Liu B, Liu H, Wang H (2020). Model of effective width and fracture conductivity for hydraulic fractures in tight reservoirs. Arab J Sci Eng, 20(4): 614–628

    Google Scholar 

  • John W R, Peter J M (1997). Sandstone-body and shale-body dimensions in a braided fluvial system: Salt Wash Sandstone Member (Morrison Formation), Garfield County, Utah. AAPG Bull, 81: 1267–1291

    Google Scholar 

  • Ju W, Shen J, Qin Y, Meng S, Li C, Li G, Yang G (2018). In-situ stress distribution and coalbed methane reservoir permeability in the Linxing area, eastern Ordos Basin, China. Front Earth Sci, 12(3): 545–554

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Labourdette R (2011). Stratigraphy and static connectivity of braided fluvial deposits of the lower Escanilla Formation, south central Pyrenees, Spain. AAPG Bull, 95(4): 585–617

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Landry C J, Prodanović M, Eichhubl P (2016). Direct simulation of supercritical gas flow in complex nanoporous media and prediction of apparent permeability. Int J Coal Geol, 159: 120–134 doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coal.2016.03.015

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li H, Li Y, Feng Y, Zhong J, Luo H (2020a). An interpretation method for a gas production profile based on the temperature and pressure behavior of low-permeability gas reservoirs. Arab J Sci Eng, 20(4): 545–565

    Google Scholar 

  • Li Y, Yang J, Pan Z, Meng S, Wang K, Niu X (2019a). Unconventional natural gas accumulations in stacked deposits: a discussion of Upper Paleozoic coal-bearing strata in the east margin of the Ordos Basin, China. Acta Geol Sin, 93(1): 111–129

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li Y, Gao X, Meng S, Wu P, Niu X, Qiao P, Elsworth D (2019b). Diagenetic sequences of continuously deposited tight sandstones in various environments: a case study from Upper Paleozoic sandstones in the Linxing area, eastern Ordos basin, China. AAPG Bull, 103(11): 2757–2783

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li Y, Xu W, Wu P, Meng S (2020b). Dissolution versus cementation and its role in determining tight sandstone quality: a case study from the Upper Paleozoic in northeastern Ordos Basin, China. J Nat Gas Sci Eng, 78: 103324

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu M, Liu Z, Wang B, Sun X, Guo J (2015a). A new method for recovering paleoporosity of sandstone: case study of middle Es3 member of Paleogene formation in Niuzhuang Sag, Dongying Depression, Bohai Bay Basin in China. Front Earth Sci, 9(3): 521–530

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu X, Kang Y, Luo P, You L, Tang Y, Kong L (2015b). Wettability modification by fluoride and its application in aqueous phase trapping damage removal in tight sandstone reservoirs. J Petrol Sci Eng, 133: 201–207

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu Z, Cui M, Fan A (2014). Calculation method discussion of tight sandstone gas reserves: a case of volumetric method in SX block. Nat Gas Geosci, 25: 1983–1993

    Google Scholar 

  • Lunt I A, Smith G H S, Best J L, Ashworth P J, Lane S N, Simpson C J (2013). Deposits of the sandy braided South Saskatchewan River: Implications for the use of modern analogs in reconstructing channel dimensions in reservoir characterization. AAPG Bull, 97(4): 553–576

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luo C, Jia A, Guo J, He D, Wei Y, Luo S (2016a). Analysis on effective reservoirs and length optimization of horizontal wells in the Sulige Gasfield. Nat Gas Ind, 3(3): 245–252

    Google Scholar 

  • Luo C, Jia A, He D (2016b). Comparison study on the distribution of gas and water in Xu-4 and Xu-6 Formations tight gas sandstone reservoir of Guang’an Gasfield, Sichuan Basin. Nat. Gas Geosci., 27: 359–370

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin R G (2006). Width and thickness of fluvial channel bodies and valley fills in the geological record: a literature compilation and classification. J Sediment Res, 76(5): 731–770

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miall A D (2006). Reconstructing the architecture and sequence stratigraphy of the preserved fluvial record as a tool for reservoir development: A reality check. AAPG Bull, 90(7): 989–1002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miller M, Shanley K (2010). Petrophysics in tight gas reservoirs-key challenges still remain. Lead. Edge, 29(12): 1464–1469

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morad S, Al-Ramadan K, Ketzer J M, De Ros L (2010). The impact of diagenesis on the heterogeneity of sandstone reservoirs: a review of the role of depositional facies and sequence stratigraphy. AAPG Bull, 94(8): 1267–1309

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morteza A, Gholamreza Z, Mat H Y (2015). Reducing predictive uncertainty in log-derived water saturation models in a giant tight shaly sandstones-A case study from Mesaverde tight gas reservoir. J Nat Gas Sci Eng, 23: 380–386

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nazari M H, Tavakoli V, Rahimpour-Bonab H, Sharifi-Yazdi M (2019). Investigation of factors influencing geological heterogeneity in tight gas carbonates, Permian reservoir of the Persian Gulf. J Petrol Sci Eng, 183: 1–18

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nazemi M, Tavakoli V, Sharifi-Yazdi M, Rahimpour-Bonab H, Hosseini M (2019). The impact of micro-to macro-scale geological attributes on Archie’s exponents, an example from Permian-Triassic carbonate reservoirs of the central Persian Gulf. Mar Pet Geol, 102: 775–785

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nelson P H (2009). Pore-throat sizes in sandstones, tight sandstones and shales. AAPG Bull, 93(3): 329–340

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ostensen R W (1983). Microcrack permeability in tight gas sandstone. SPE J, 23(6): 919–927

    Google Scholar 

  • Rashid F, Glover P W J, Lorinczi P, Collier R, Lawrence J A (2015). Porosity and permeability of tight carbonate reservoir rocks in the north of Iraq. J Petrol Sci Eng, 133: 147–161

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Santamarina J C, Park J, Terzariol M, Cardona A, Castro G M, Cha W, Garcia A, Hakiki F, Lyu C, Salva M, Shen Y, Sun Z, Chong S H (2019). Soil Properties: Physics Inspired, Data Driven. In Lu N, Mitchell J, eds. Geotechnical Fundamentals for Addressing New World Challenges. Cham: Springer: 67–91

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Shanley K W, Cluff R M, Robinson J W (2004). Factors controlling prolific gas production from low-permeability sandstone reservoirs: implications for resource assessment, prospect development, and risk analysis. AAPG Bull, 88(8): 1083–1121

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Skelly L R, Bristow S C, Ethridge G F (2003). Architecture of channel-belt deposits in an aggrading shallow sandbed braided river: the lower Niobrara River, northeast Nebraska. Sediment Geol, 158(3–4): 249–270

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith S H G, Ashworth J P, Best L J, Woodward J, Simpson J C (2006). The sedimentology and alluvial architecture of the sandy braided South Saskatchewan River, Canada. Sedimentology, 53(2): 413–434

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tye R S (2004). Geomorphology: an approach to determining subsurface reservoir dimensions. AAPG Bull, 88(8): 1123–1147

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang G, Jia A, Yan H (2017). Characteristics and recoverability evaluation on the potential reservoir in Sulige tight sandstone gas field. Oil Gas Geol., 38: 896–904

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang H, Jiang S, Huang C (2018). Differences in sedimentary filling and its controlling factors in rift lacustrine basins, East China: a case study from Qikou and Nanpu sags. Front Earth Sci, 5(1): 82–96

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang J, Jiang S, Jun X (2020). Lithofacies stochastic modelling of a braided river reservoir: a case study of the Linpan Oilfield, Bohaiwan Basin, China. Arab J Sci Eng, 20(4): 577–590

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu X, Hu Y, Shao L (2017). Experimental simulation of gas accumulation mechanism in sandstone reservoir: a case study of Sulige gas field, Ordos Basin. J China U Min Technol, 46: 1323–1331

    Google Scholar 

  • Yuan L, Sima L, Wu S (2014). Models for saturation of the tight gas sandstone reservoir. Petrol Sci Technol, 32(23): 2777–2785

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zafar A, Su Y, Li L, Fu J, Mehmood A, Ouyang W, Zhang M (2020). Tight gas production model considering TPG as a function of pore pressure, permeability and water saturation. Petrol Sci, 17(5): 1356–1369

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao F, Tang H M, Meng Y F, Li G, Xing X (2009). Damage evaluation for water-based underbalanced drilling in low-permeability and tight sandstone gas reservoirs. Pet Explor Dev, 36(1): 113–119

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao W, Bian C, Xu Z (2013). Similarities and differences between natural gas accumulations in Sulige gas field in Ordos basin and Xujiahe gas field in Central Sichuan Basin. Pet Explor Dev, 40(4): 429–437

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ziarani A S, Aguilera R (2012). Pore-throat radius and tortuosity estimation from formation resistivity data for tight-gas sandstone reservoirs. J Appl Geophys, 83: 65–73

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zou C, Yang Z, Zhang G (2019). Establishment and practice of unconventional oil and gas geology. Acta Geol Sin, 93: 12–23

    Google Scholar 

  • Zou C, Zhu R, Liu K, Su L, Bai B, Zhang X, Yuan X, Wang J (2012). Tight gas sandstone reservoirs in China: characteristics and recognition criteria. J Petrol Sci Eng, 88–89: 82–91

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This study was financially supported by the Petro-China Innovation Foundation (No. 2019D-5007-0210), National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 51904050, 41902153), the Chongqing Natural Science Foundation Project (Nos. cstc2019jcyjmsxmX0725, 0457), Open Fund of Engineering Research Center of Development and Management for Low to Ultra-Low Permeability Oil & Gas Reservoirs in West China, Ministry of Education (KFJJ-XB-2020-4) and the Science and Technology Research Program of Chongqing Municipal Education Commission (No. KJQN201901531).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chongqing University of Science and Technology, Chongqing, 401331, China

    Chao Luo, Hun Lin, Nanxin Yin & Xuanbo Gao

  2. Engineering Research Center of Development and Management for Low to Ultra-Low Permeability Oil and Gas Reservoirs in West China (Ministry of Education), Xi’an Shiyou University, Xi’an, 710065, China

    Chao Luo

  3. Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development, PetroChina, Beijing, 100083, China

    Ailin Jia, Jianlin Guo & Junlei Wang

  4. Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, 316022, China

    Qing Tian

Authors
  1. Chao Luo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ailin Jia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jianlin Guo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Qing Tian
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Junlei Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Hun Lin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Nanxin Yin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Xuanbo Gao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Chao Luo or Jianlin Guo.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Luo, C., Jia, A., Guo, J. et al. A quantitative study of the scale and distribution of tight gas reservoirs in the Sulige gas field, Ordos Basin, northwest China. Front. Earth Sci. 15, 457–470 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11707-021-0878-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11707-021-0878-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation