Experimental evaluation of microscopic pore structure and fluid migration characteristics of coal-measure sandstone reservoirs

Abstract

Research on the microscopic migration characteristics of fluids in coal measure sandstone has always been a hot spot in the evaluation of reservoir properties. In this study, taking the Yan’an Formation sandstone reservoirs in the Block A of the Ordos Basin as an example, the pore structures and fluid migration characteristics of coal-measure sandstones are systematically studied using a large number of thin sections, SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope), NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance), relative permeability and water-flooding test results. The results show that the Jurassic sandstones in the target layer mainly develop lithic quartz sandstone, and the main pore types are intergranular and dissolution pores, followed by a small amount of intercrystalline pores. The surface porosity of the target sandstones mainly ranges from 7.90 to 10.79%, with an average value of 8.78%. The good correlation between porosity and permeability indicates that the target layer is a pore-type reservoir. The T2 relaxation time of the target layer is mainly distributed within 100 ms. Moreover, the reservoir of the Yan’an Formation has a high saturation of movable fluids, which is mainly distributed in 43.17–71.24%, with an average value of 56.90%. Meanwhile, samples with fractures have higher movable fluid saturations. In addition, the average irreducible water saturation of the Yan’an Formation sandstone reservoir is 35.14%, and the final oil displacement efficiency is 51.14% on average. There is a good positive correlation between the oil displacement efficiency and the co-permeability zone. As the co-permeability zone range increased from 15 to 55%, the oil displacement efficiency increased from 30 to 65%. When the cores develop fractures, they have characteristics of high permeability, high oil recovery rate, high oil displacement efficiency in the anhydrous period, low irreducible water saturation and low residual oil saturation.

Effect of Pore Structure Heterogeneity of Sandstone Reservoirs on Porosity–Permeability Variation by Using Single–Multi-Fractal Models

“…However, tight sandstone gas production capacity is limited, since these natural gas reservoirs are characterized by low porosity and permeability. − Relevant studies indicated that the pore structure of sandstone reservoirs has an important influence on fluid migration. Strong heterogeneity in pore structures impedes migration of fluids or gas and thus leads to a reduction in natural gas production and recovery efficiency. − Therefore, the pore structure of tight sandstone reservoirs is an important factor that contributes in determining reservoir physical properties and oil/gas productivity …”