Effects of Carrier Bed Heterogeneity on Hydrocarbon Migration
Abstract
Reservoir/carrier bed heterogeneity is a common geological phenomenon. This study applied a hydrocarbon migration model based on the invasion percolation theory to simulate the formation of hydrocarbon migration pathways in heterogeneous carrier beds. The results indicate that the pathways and hydrocarbon accumulations in reservoirs may differ from conventional models when continuous low-permeability layers occur as networks within reservoirs. Such low-permeability layers may have formed through depositional or diagenetic processes within reservoir rocks at variable scales. Oil-bearing reservoir in Donghe Sandstone in Hadexun Oilfield in northern Tarim Basin, China, was analyzed to demonstrate the forming mechanisms of substantial tilting of oil-water contact. Donghe Sandstone is a quartz sandstone deposited in an open marine shoreface-shelf environment during a major transgression in Early Carboniferous. Major diagenetic products are abundant tabular concretions along bedding planes and cross laminae. The low-permeability concretions serve as fluid flow barriers which compartmentalize the Donghe Sandstone reservoir. As a result, the oil-water contacts and the saturation of oil in the reservoir appear irregular and tilted in Hadexun Oilfield and neighboring regions.
Recommended Citation
X. Luo and C. Hu and Z. Xiao and J. Zhao and B. Zhang and W. Yang and H. Zhao and F. Zhao and Y. Lei and L. Zhang, "Effects of Carrier Bed Heterogeneity on Hydrocarbon Migration," Marine and Petroleum Geology, vol. 68, pp. 120 - 131, Elsevier Ltd, Dec 2015.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2015.08.015
Department(s)
Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering
Keywords and Phrases
Diagenesis; Donghe Sandstone; Hadexun Oilfield; Heterogeneity; Migration; Flow Of Fluids; Hydrocarbons; Low Permeability Reservoirs; Network Layers; Oil Bearing Formations; Oil Fields; Oil Well Flooding; Percolation (Solid State); Petroleum Reservoirs; Reservoirs (Water); Sandstone; Solvents; Geological Phenomenon; Heterogeneity; Hydrocarbon Migration Pathways; Carboniferous; China; Tarim Basin; Xinjiang Uygur
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
0264-8172
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2015 Elsevier Ltd, All rights reserved.
Publication Date
01 Dec 2015
