Practice and knowledge of volumetric development of deep fractured-vuggy carbonate reservoirs in Tarim Basin, NW China

Abstract

Different from the continental layered sandstone and fracture-pore carbonate reservoirs, the fractured-vuggy carbonate reservoirs in the Tarim Basin are mainly composed of fractured-vuggy bodies of different sizes and shapes. Based on years of study on the geological features, flow mechanisms, high-precision depiction and the recovery mode of fractured-vuggy bodies, the idea of “volumetric development” is proposed and put into practice. A “body by body” production methodology is established with respect to volumetric unit of fractures and vugs based on vuggy body's spatial allocation and reserves. A variety of development wells, various technological methods, and multi-type injection media are used to develop this type of reservoirs in an all-around way. As a result, the resource and production structures of the Tahe oilfield are significantly improved and a highly efficient development is achieved. Key words: Tahe oilfield, fractured-vuggy reservoir, fractured-vuggy body, 3D depiction, reservoir stimulation, development mode, volumetric development