Oil & Gas Geology ›› 2025, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (3): 809-826.doi: 10.11743/ogg20250308

• Petroleum Geology • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Genesis and impact of dissolution in deep dolomite reservoirs: A case of the 2nd member of the Sinian Dengying Formation, Penglai area, central Sichuan Basin

Qian TAN1,2(), Haifeng YUAN1,2(), Tao WANG2, Zili MA2, Bojun TANG2, Qiu PENG3, Wenjie LI1,2   

  1. 1.State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploration,Chengdu University of Technology,Chengdu,Sichuan 610059,China
    2.College of Energy (College of Modern Shale Gas Industry),Chengdu University of Technology,Chengdu,Sichuan 610059,China
    3.Chuanzhong Oil & Gas Mine,Southwest Oil & Gas Field Company,PetroChina,Suining,Sichuan 629000,China
  • Received:2024-12-30 Revised:2025-04-14 Online:2025-06-30 Published:2025-06-26
  • Contact: Haifeng YUAN E-mail:799285676@qq.com;yuanhaifeng08@cdut.cn

Abstract:

To further determine the genesis of deep dolomite reservoirs in the Sinian Dengying Formation within the Sichuan Basin, we analyze the developmental and filling characteristics of various dissolution pores and vugs in dolomite reservoirs in the 2nd member of the Dengying Formation (also referred to as the Deng 2 Member) in the Penglai area, central Sichuan Basin, through core observation, thin section identification and cathodoluminescence (CL) imaging. In addition, by integrating the analyses and tests of inclusions, carbon-oxygen-strontium isotopes, major and trace elements, and rare earth elements (REEs), as well as U-Pb isotopic dating, we investigate the stages and genetic mechanisms of dissolution in the dolomite reservoirs. The results indicate that the dolomite reservoirs in the Deng 2 Member primarily underwent the superimposed modification of three stages of dissolution, namely the syngenetic to penecontemporaneous dissolution, weathered-crust karstification, and hydrothermal dissolution. Such superimposed modification produced a spectrum of storage spaces and strong reservoir heterogeneity. The fabric-selective dissolution pores and reticulate dissolution vugs in the reservoirs occur in the middle to upper part of sedimentary cycles, exhibiting multi-set superimposition and vertical rhythmicity. These pores and vugs are predominately filled by fascicular fast dolomite (FFD) cements, exhibiting unique botryoidal-lace and prehnite textures. They are the product of syngenetic to penecontemporaneous dissolution driven by frequent sea-level fluctuations. Brecciated karst caves and dissolution vugs in honeycomb pattern are principally found beneath the unconformities of the Deng 2 Member. The former is filled with collapsed karst- breccia and argillaceous materials, while the latter is half filled with radial slow dolomite (RSD) cements, both resulting from the superimposed modification of weathered-crust karstification during the Tongwan Movement. High-angle fractures and vugs in the reservoirs are distributed near E-W-trending strike-slip faults. They are associated with CO2-rich hydrothermal dissolution caused by the Emeishan volcanism during the Late Hercynian and are largely half filled with hydrothermal mineral assemblages. The comprehensive analysis reveals that the mound-shoal deposits modified by syngenetic to penecontemporaneous dissolution provide a basis for the formation of high-quality reservoirs, while the superimposed modification of weathered-crust karstification is critical to their formation. Additionally, hydrothermal dissolution leads to the redistribution of reservoir spaces, thus governing the distribution of high-quality reservoirs.

Key words: dissolution, hydrothermal activity, deep dolomite reservoir, dolomite, Dengying Formation, Penglai area, central Sichuan Basin, Sichuan Basin

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