Oil & Gas Geology ›› 2016, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (1): 62-71.doi: 10.11743/ogg20160109

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Brittleness characteristics and its control on natural fractures in tight reservoirs: A case study from Chang 7 tight reservoir in Longdong area of the Ordos Basin

Zhao Xiangyuan1,2, Zeng Lianbo2, Zu Kewei3, Hu Xiangyang1, Jiao Jun4, Zhu Lifeng5, Shi Jinxiong2   

  1. 1. Petroleum Exploration & Production Research Institute, SINOPEC, Beijing 100083, China;
    2. College of Geosciences, China University of Petroleum, Beijing 102249, China;
    3. Exploration and Development Research Institute, Zhongyuan Oilfield Company, SINOPEC, Zhengzhou, Henan 450018, China;
    4. Exploration and Development Research Institute, Changqing Oilfield Company, PetroChina, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710018, China;
    5. Shanxi Geological Survey, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, China
  • Received:2015-08-28 Revised:2015-12-20 Online:2016-02-08 Published:2016-03-02

Abstract: Study of brittleness of tight reservoir and its effect on natural fractures is of great significance to quantitative prediction of natural fractures in tight reservoirs.This paper summarized more than 20 brittleness testing methods,focusing on the development and application of brittleness evaluation methods for unconventional oil and gas reservoirs.Moreover,it also evaluated the brittleness characteristics of tight reservoir and its effect on natural fractures in the Chang 7 tight reservoir in Longdong area of Ordos Basin.The results show that several groups of high angle structural fractures are developed widely in intervals of various lighologies in the Chang 7 reservoir in Longdong area.Sandstones show the highest brittleness,followed by shaly sandstones,and mudstones has the lowest brittleness.The brittleness decreases with the increase of shale content.On the specific paleo-structure stress background,rock brittleness controls the development characteristics and development degree of natural fractures.There is a brittleness threshold,above which high angle fractures are more likely to develop,while below which it is likely to develop low angle fractures.Brittleness also controls rock fracturing ability.When brittleness index is large,rock is easier to fracture under the structure stress,resulting in more fractures.In contrast,when it is low,rock deforms instead of fracturing,thus fractures are poorly developed and even not developed.

Key words: brittleness characteristics, natural fracture, tight reservoir, Yanchang Formation, Ordos Basin

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