Xinjiang Petroleum Geology ›› 2024, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (4): 379-386.doi: 10.7657/XJPG20240401

• OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION •     Next Articles

Research Progress and Trend of Ultra-Deep Strike-Slip Fault-Controlled Hydrocarbon Reservoirs in Tarim Basin

WANG Qinghua1,2,3(), CAI Zhenzhong1,2,3, ZHANG Yintao2,3,4, WU Guanghui5, XIE Zhou2,3,4, WAN Xiaoguo4, TANG Hao5   

  1. 1. Tarim Oilfield Company, PetroChina, Korla, Xinjiang 841000, China
    2. R&D Center for Ultra-Deep Complex Reservior Exploration and Development, CNPC, Korla, Xinjiang, 841000, China
    3. Xinjiang Engineering Research Center for Ultra-deep Complex Reservoir Exploration and Development, Korla, Xinjiang 841000, China
    4. Research Institute of Exploration and Development, Tarim Oilfield Company, PetroChina, Korla, Xinjiang 841000, China
    5. School of Geosciences and Technology, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, China
  • Received:2024-04-01 Revised:2024-04-15 Online:2024-08-01 Published:2024-07-23

Abstract:

Ultra-deep strike-slip fault-controlled hydrocarbon reservoirs have been discovered as a new frontier for exploration and development in the Tarim basin. However, the complexity of these reservoirs poses a significant challenge for profitable development, necessitating enhanced foundational geological research. The strike-slip fault-controlled hydrocarbon reservoirs are commonly characterized by strong heterogeneity, intricate reservoir and fluid distribution, significant variations in hydrocarbon production, and low recovery. The great differences in faulting, reservoir characteristics, hydrocarbon accumulation, and fluid dynamics of these reservoirs between different areas present a series of exploration and development challenges. A series of models for strike-slip fault zones of different genesis and their controls on reservoirs have been established, and the mechanisms of reservoir formation along strike-slip fault zones including combined reservoir control by microfacies, strike-slip fault and dissolution, and contiguous, differential and extensive development have been revealed. Furthermore, the strike-slip fault-controlled reservoir models with “source-fault-reservoir-caprock coupling” and “small reservoir but large field” are constructed, unveiling the mechanisms of the hydrocarbon accumulation and preservation of ultra-deep strike-slip fault-controlled reservoirs. This research breaks through the limitations in theory that weak strike-slip faults in cratonic basins are difficult to form large-scale strike-slip fault-controlled reservoirs and large oil/gas fields. Finally, the genesis of large-scale strike-slip fault systems, the differential reservoir formation mechanisms within strike-slip fault zones, and the hydrocarbon enrichment patterns in cratonic basins have been clarified.

Key words: Tarim basin, ultra-deep stratum, strike-slip fault, fault-controlled hydrocarbon reservoir, cratonic basin, hydrocarbon accumulation model

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