Architectural Anatomy and Application in an Ultra-Low-Permeability Reservoir: A Case Study from the Huang 57 Area, Jiyuan Oilfield
Source abstract
Abstract
Reservoir architecture significantly influences fluid flow in ultra-low permeability reservoirs, yet this critical factor is frequently neglected in development strategies. This study investigates the Huang 57 block within the Jiyuan Oilfield of China’s Ordos Basin, where we conducted detailed analysis of well logging data, production history, and sedimentological characteristics. Our research established five diagnostic criteria for identifying architectural boundaries of subaqueous distributary channels, enabling classification of two fundamental architectural patterns—isolated and amalgamated—with four distinctive stacking styles. Analysis reveals that architectural heterogeneity exerts primary control over residual oil distribution, with concentrated accumulation occurring at poorly connected channel margins, interlayer barriers, and unswept zones. We verified these findings through horizontal well data and production performance analysis. The study presents a comprehensive framework for architectural characterization in low-permeability reservoirs and proposes specific development strategies, including strategic well conversion and optimized infill drilling, to enhance injection–production connectivity and improve recovery efficiency. These practical solutions offer valuable guidance for developing similar reservoirs worldwide.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Hydrocarbon exploration and reservoir analysis · Hydraulic Fracturing and Reservoir Analysis · Reservoir Engineering and Simulation Methods
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Key Laboratory of Exploration Technologies for Oil and Gas Resources, Ministry of Education, Yangtze University, Wuhan 430100, China
School of Geosciences, Yangtze University, Wuhan 430100, China
PetroChina Daqing Oilfield Co., Ltd., Daqing 163513, China
Funding
National Nature Science Foundation of China · Open Fund of Key Laboratory of Exploration Technologies for Oil and Gas Resources (Yangtze University), Ministry of Education
References (36)
Show source-provided references
1. Formation and Distribution of Shalow-water Deltas and Centra-basin Sandbodies in Large Open Depression Lake Basins
2. Sedimentary characteristics and geological significance of shallow water delta of Chang8 oil formation in Ordos Basin
3. Sedimentary system and palaeogeographic evolution of ordos basin, northern china10.1016/j.jop.2025.01.002 ↗
4. Wang, J., Wang, L., Yin, Y., Xie, P., and Xiong, G. (2025). Comprehensive Reservoir Architecture Dissection and Microfacies Analysis of the Chang 8 Oil Group in the Luo 1 Well Area, Jiyuan Oilfield. Appl. Sci., 15.10.3390/app15031082 ↗
5. Sandbody structure and its genesis of shallow-water delta of Chang 8, reservoir in Jiyuan area, Ordos Basin
6. Sedimentary characteristics of shallow water delta and lake shoreline control on sandbodies of Chang 8 oil-bearing in tervalof the Upper Triassic Yanchang Fomation in northwestern Ordos Basin
7. Sedimentary characteristics and models of shallow water delta front subfacies reservoirs: A case study of Sapugao oil layer in north-II block of Sabei oilfield, Daging placanticline
8. Storm deposits in wide and shallow lacustrine environment in Yanchang Formation, Ordos Basin
9. Fu, C. (2025). Depositional architecture of aggrading delta front distributary channels and corresponding depositional evolution process in ordos basin: Implications for deltaic reservoir prediction. Water, 17.10.3390/w17040528 ↗
10. Hydrodynamics and deposition in lacustrine shallow-water delta front: A combination of numerical simulations and modern sedimentation measurements10.1190/INT-2019-0176.1 ↗
11. Chen, Z., Zhang, J., Yong, Z., and Ma, H. (2025). Tight Sandstone Reservoir Characteristics and Sand Body Distribution of the Eighth Member of Permian Shihezi Formation in the Longdong Area, Ordos Basin. Minerals, 15.10.3390/min15050463 ↗
12. Liao, J., Hong, L., Li, Z., Tan, K., Zhao, L., Yang, J., and Yu, P. (2022). Characterization of ultra-low permeability tight sandstone reservoir properties and criteria for hydrocarbon accumulation in Chang 6 member, Huaqing area, Ordos basin. Front. Earth Sci., 10.10.3389/feart.2022.1013776 ↗
13. Permeability damage micro-mechanisms and stimulation of low-permeability sandstone reservoirs: A case study from Jiyang Depression, Bohai Bay Basin, China10.1016/S1876-3804(20)60054-4 ↗
14. Pre-acid system for improving the hydraulic fracturing effect in low-permeability tight gas reservoir
15. Li, C., Li, W., Ye, H., Zhu, Q., Shan, X., Wang, S., Wang, D., Zhang, Z., Wang, H., and Zhou, X. (2025). Reservoir Architecture of Turbidite Lobes and Remaining Oil Distribution: A Study on the B Formation for Z Oilfield of the Illizi Basin, Algeria. Processes, 13.10.3390/pr13030805 ↗
16. Sedimentology and depositional architecture of a submarine delta-fan complex in the Durban Basin, South Africa10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2016.09.032 ↗
17. Distributary channel type and high-quality reservoirs in tight sandstone—A case study on the outcrops and reservoirs of xujiahe formation in western sichuan basin10.1002/ese3.1940 ↗
18. A review of the braided-river depositional environment10.1016/0012-8252(77)90055-1 ↗
19. Architectural Characterization of Braided River Reservoirs in the Southern Area of the Gu Islands Oilfield
20. Sandbody architecture of the bar finger within shoal water delta front: Insights from the Lower Member of Minghuazhen Formation, Neogene, Bohai BZ25 Oilfield, Bohai Bay Basin, East China10.1016/S1876-3804(19)60013-3 ↗
21. Delta sediments and evolution of the Yanchang Formation of Upper Triassic in Ordos Basin
22. Configuration characterization of Triassic Chang 611 reservoir in Sai 160 well area of Ansai oilfield, Ordos Basin
23. Accumulation conditions and accumulation laws of tight cas in Shenfu area. Northeast of Ordos Basin
24. Reservoir sedimentary model of fluvial facies and it’s control to remaining oil distribution
25. Formation and development of shallow-water deltas in lacustrine basin and typical case analyses
26. Mamdouh, M., Othman, A., and Mostafa, T. (2025). Multidisciplinary 3D geological-petrophysical reservoir characterization of Abu Sennan Field, Abu Gharadig Basin, Egypt. Sci. Rep., 15.10.1038/s41598-025-13462-w ↗
27. Depositional architecture of fluvial-dominated shoal water delta
28. Yang, Z., Dong, G., Zeng, L., Qiu, Y., Guo, C., Ma, Z., Wang, T., Yang, X., Ran, S., and Zhao, X. (2025). Identification and sedimentary model of shallow-water deltas: A case study of the funing formation, subei basin, northeast china. Minerals, 15.10.3390/min15030207 ↗
29. Processes, facies and architecture of fluvial distributary system deposits10.1016/j.sedgeo.2006.07.004 ↗
30. Subaqueous deltas in the stratigraphic record: Catching up with the marine geologists10.1016/j.earscirev.2024.104879 ↗
31. Progress of shallow-water delta research and a case study of continental lake basin
32. Li, X., Li, F., Huang, Z., Ji, H., Wang, H., Chen, L., Zhang, Z., and Shi, X. (2025). Characterization and simulation of conglomerate reservoirs using core data of Triassic Baikouquan Formation, Mahu Depression. Sci. Rep., 15.10.1038/s41598-025-09954-4 ↗
33. Sedimentary characteristics and development model of fan delta in small faulted basin: A case of Shahezi Formation in northern Xujiaweizi Fault Depression, NE China
34. Research based on lsochronous Surface about Shallow-water Deltas and Fluvial Sedimentary System: A case from Duo1 Member of Paleogene in Huangjue Area, Gaoyou Sag
35. Types and superposed patterns of distributary channels in a shallow lacustrine delta plain
36. Spatial combination modes of single sandbodies in underwater distributary channels and its influence on distribution characteristics of remaining oil of Chang8-2 in L158 Block, Huanjiang Oilfield