Data integration in characterizing a fracture-cavity reservoir, Tahe oilfield, Tarim basin, China

Fracture-cavity reservoirs can be described in terms of storage space, filling materials and distribution, however, characterizing these variables remains a challenge. In this study, a method was developed to characterize complex reservoirs by integrating outcrop, core, well log, and seismic data from the Tahe oilfield. Outcrop analogs were used to identify and qualitatively analyze the genesis of different reservoir spaces. Cores, well logs, and seismic data were used to identify different types of reservoir space in the subsurface, to describe the spatial distribution, and to establish the distribution pattern of fracture-cavity reservoirs. Clastic sediments, collapse breccia, and chemical fillings were described from the cores and used to assess porosity and permeability. On the basis of the results, a three-dimensional geological model was constructed incorporating a structural model, a reservoir space model, and a property model. Caves and fractures were the main storage spaces and seepage passages. The cave model was built using multi-point geostatistical simulation, while the fracture model was established using deterministic modeling combined with manual interpretations and ant-tracking technology.