Oil & Gas Geology ›› 2016, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (5): 674-683.doi: 10.11743/ogg20160507

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Hydrogeomorphologic characterization and evolution of the Early Hercynian karstification in Tahe oilfield,the Tarim Basin

Li Yuan1, Lu Xinbian2, Wang Yingying3, Zhang Heng1, Cai Zhongxian1, Li Daze4   

  1. 1. Faculty of Earth Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China;
    2. Exploration and Production Research Institute, SINOPEC Northwest Oilfield Company, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830011, China;
    3. College of Energy Resources, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, Sichuan 610059, China;
    4. Economics and Business, Colorado School of Mines, Denver, Colorado 80401, USA
  • Received:2015-09-16 Revised:2016-09-07 Online:2016-10-08 Published:2016-11-07
  • Contact: 蔡忠贤(1963-),男,教授,碳酸盐岩储层地质学,E-mail:zxcai@cug.edu.cn E-mail:zxcai@cug.edu.cn

Abstract: Complex karst fracture-vuggy systems formed during early Hercynian of Tahe Oilfield show greatly disparities in scales and distributions in the east (blocks of interests) and west (peripheral area) parts of the oilfield.Karst water was thought to be the key factor during the karstification under varying hydrogeomorphology and hydrokinetic conditions against different geological settings.To deeper understand and interpret the mechanisms behind the development of karst reservoirs in western China,the authors restored paleokarst geomorphology and hydrology networks buried in a depth less than 5000m with modern karst theories as guidance,and high-precision 3D seismic data,seismic attribute abstraction and seismic images,as basis.A fine description of hydrogeomorphology of the east and west parts of the oilfiled were also carried out to help define the evolution stages of the karstification.The results show that the east part was developed into karst plateau with high-relief peak clusters and karst mounds as the primary landform units.Typical landscape combinations consisting of dry valleys,blind valleys,swallet steams,canyons and natural bridges,were formed by strong vertical erosion from surface water.Integrated drainage systems made up of both surface and underground hydrologic networks were also formed there.These features reveal that the part had gone through a long and stable period of karstification.The results also point out that the west part is mostly a karst depression holding gentle topography gradient and karst mounds with relatively lower relief.The surface water network was observed to erode largely laterally into snaking networks in the part.However,continuous underground water networks failed to come into being,indicating a shorter period of karsitification in the part.Combining these observations with regional tectonic evolution data,the authors suggests that the karst re-servoirs in the east of the oilfield are still in their stage of maturity and those in the west are during their adolescence phase.

Key words: palaeo karst geomorphology, palaeo drainage system, evolutionary stage, karst reservoir, Early Hercynian, Tahe oilfield

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