Evaluation of Fracture Effectiveness in Ultra-Deep Marine Carbonate Reservoirs of Fuman Oilfield, Tarim Basin

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Authors: Zedong Liu, Kongyou Wu, Bifeng Wang, Hui Zhang, Ke Xu, Kehao Wang
Cited by: 1
References: 31

Abstract

Strike-slip faults and their associated fractures in the ultra-deep marine carbonate reservoirs of the Fuman Oilfield, Tarim Basin, hold significant petroleum geological importance, with the developmental characteristics of fractures being a key factor controlling reservoir productivity. This study targets the FI17 strike-slip fault zone within the oilfield, where a comprehensive evaluation of fracture effectiveness was performed by integrating geological methods, including core and thin section observation, fluid inclusion thermometry, geophysical fracture identification approaches using imaging logging and seismic data, and geomechanical simulations. The results showed that: (1) structural fractures were developed in at least three stages, predominantly high-angle fractures with their strikes obliquely intersecting the main fault at a small angle, and were affected by multiple episodes of fluid activity, while early-phase fractures exhibited severe filling whereas late-phase fractures had good effectiveness; (2) ultra-deep carbonate rocks contained well-developed stylolites, with extensive horizontal stylolites reducing fracture effectiveness; (3) mechanical effectiveness evaluation parameters were proposed by integrating normal stress, shear stress, and formation pressure, with slip tendency as the dominant indicator, and referenced to the leakage factor and dilation tendency to characterize fracture effectiveness; (4) dynamic effectiveness was assessed using closure/opening pressures, defining a reasonable formation pressure range for hydrocarbon exploitation. The findings of this study can provide theoretical guidance for the further exploration and development of ultra-deep reservoirs in the Fuman Oilfield.

Fields of Study & Subjects

earthquake and tectonic studies Hydrocarbon exploration and reservoir analysis Hydraulic Fracturing and Reservoir Analysis

Publication details

Journal / source
Applied Sciences
Publisher
MDPI AG
Volume
16
Issue
5
Pages
2511–2511
Publication date
5 March 2026
Language
EN