Paleofluid restoration and its application in studies of reservoir forming: A case study of the Ordovician in Tarim Basin, NW China

Abstract

Karst reservoir paleofluid types of the Ordovician formation in the Tarim Basin are restored based on the analysis of element boron of filled mud, the test of fluid inclusions homogenization temperature and salinity, liquid anion and hydroxyl isotope of filled calcite in vug-fractures, and regional geologic background. The origin of the karst reservoirs are analyzed on this basis. The element boron contents of mud filled in vug-fractures are less than 80 μg/g generally; fluid inclusions have different homogenization temperatures in different regions, and the salinities are in a large range. The HCO3− contents are high, and the Cl− and SO42− contents are dispersive in the liquid component of the fluid inclusions. The hydroxyl isotope contents are relatively dispersive, with relatively negative δD value and positive δ18O value. This evidence shows that the paleofluid of the Ordovician was from supergene atmospheric freshwater, buried fresh-brackish mixed water, seawater or concentrated seawater, and buried brine from underlying dolomite or evaporate rock of the Cambrian formation. The main constructive diagenesis for the formation of vug-cave type reservoirs is erosion and dissolution caused by atmospheric freshwater, and the reservoirs have been subjected to thermal fluid reformation from underlying evaporate rock of the Cambrian during burial stage. Key words: Tarim Basin, karst reservoir, paleofluid restoration, reservoir forming mechanism, element boron, fluid inclusions homogenization temperature, fluid inclusions salinity, hydrogen and oxygen isotopic composition