Geosystems and Geoenvironment (Nov 2022)
Petrophysical analysis and hydrocarbon potential of the lower Cretaceous Yageliemu Formation in Yakela gas condensate field, Kuqa Depression of Tarim Basin, China
Abstract
The present study based on petrophysical computations assess the conventional fuel resources of the Yageliemu Formation. The Yageliemu Formation was evaluated using log data from four wells (YK19, YK20, YK21, and YK32) and observed over the entire reservoir interval. Yageliemu Formation originates from the Lower Cretaceous reservoir, which is located in the Yakela gas condensate field, Kuqa Depression of Tarim Basin China. The studied gas bearing zones are primarily composed of sandstone, with small amounts of shale and clay contents. The petrophysical properties of the gas-bearing zones were carefully examined, which are rated to be better quality sand layers with average effective porosities varying from 7 to 10%, permeability varying from 3 to 8.6 mD, average water saturation values ranging from 43 to 59%, and the average range of gas saturation is 40–57%. The Yageliemu Formation cutoff outcomes for shale volume (Vsh), effective porosity, water saturation, and permeability were characterized at 40% and 5%, 65%, and 0.1 mD, respectively. Thomas Stieber model was used to successfully identify shale structural behavior in reservoirs and it revealed that the dominant shale is mainly laminated with a minor volume of structural and dispersive shale. Lithofacies and axial variations of reservoir properties are assessed by constructing self-organizing maps, isoparametric maps of the petrophysical properties, and litho-saturation cross-plots, respectively. The reservoir characteristics of the Yageliemu Formation demonstrate that the prospective region for hydrocarbons accumulation trends is in the southwestern and northwestern parts of the research area. The study techniques can be used in the Tarim Basin and similar basins around the world to estimate the petrophysical properties of oil and gas wells and comprehend reservoir prospects.
