Reconstruction of meandering paleo-channels using dense well data, Daqing Oil Field, Songliao Basin, China

• Published in: Petroleum science 2018-11, Vol.15 (4), p.722-743
• Main Authors: Shan, Jing-Fu, Lin, Zhi-Peng, Chen, Le, Zhang, Bin, Fang, Shi-Xiang, Yan, Xue, Fang, Wei, Xie, Li-Li, Liu, Bo, Zhang, Le
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Architecture; Channel bends; Channels; Coring; Cross-sections; Curvature; Data; Data logging; Downstream; Drilling; Drills; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Economics and Management; Empirical equations; Energy Policy; Expansion; Industrial and Production Engineering; Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering; Interpolation; Logging; Meandering; Meandering paleo-channels; Meandering rivers; Methods; Migration; Mineral Resources; Oil and gas fields; Oil fields; Original Paper; Planform; Point bar; Profiles; Reconstruction; Rotation; Sedimentary structures; Songliao Basin; Water wells; Wavelength; Well data
• ISSN: 1672-5107; 1995-8226
• DOI: 10.1007/s12182-018-0270-x

Reconstructing meandering paleo-channels is attracting global research attention. We implemented a novel method by comprehensively integrating migration models and sedimentary structures. Firstly, the migration architectures of the corresponding characteristics in planform and cross-sectional models were summarised as expansion, translation, expansion and translation, expansion and downstream rotation, constriction and downstream rotation, and expansion and countercurrent rotation models. Secondly, full continuous core data from 270 dense drilling wells were collected from the Daqing Oil Field in the Songliao Basin, China, providing information on rock textures, sedimentary cycles, and boundary information for the two layers being studied. Through a comprehensive analysis of dense drill cores and logging data, the abandoned channels and the initial and final channel centrelines were identified. Consequently, four profiles, including one longitudinal and three transverse sections, were constructed to reveal the cross-sectional structures and planform migration architecture. Profile interpretation revealed the evolution from the initial channel centreline to the final centreline. Using a method of rational interpolation, we were able to reconstruct the migration architecture of the meandering channels. The results showed that the average ancient bankfull width ( W c ) was approximately 100 m, a single meandering belt was 800 m, the radius of the curvature was 250 m, the length of the channel bend was 700 m, the average meander wavelength was 1300 m, the sinuosity was 3.0, and the annual average discharge rate was 450 m 3 /s. Furthermore, we compared the results from empirical equations, which verified that our reconstruction is both feasible and potentially widely applicable.