Intelligent identification and distribution patterns of faults and associated fracture zones in tight sandstone reservoirs: A case study of Member 5 of Xujiahe Formation in Wubaochang area, northeastern Sichuan Basin, SW China

LI Hao, ZHANG Hang, ZENG Lianbo, ZENG Lingping, WANG Zhen, ZHANG Haiyan, YANG Ziyi, LIU Shiqiang

doi:10.11698/PED.20250140

0 20250140

DOI: https://doi.org/10.11698/PED.20250140

Intelligent identification and distribution patterns of faults and associated fracture zones in tight sandstone reservoirs: A case study of Member 5 of Xujiahe Formation in Wubaochang area, northeastern Sichuan Basin, SW China

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1. State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources and Engineering, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China;
2. College of Geosciences, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China;
3. Northeast Sichuan Gas District, PetroChina Southwest Oil & Gas Field Company, Dazhou 635000, China

Received date: 2025-03-11

Revised date: 2025-10-09

Online published: 2025-11-11

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Abstract

The faults and associated fracture zones in the tight sandstone reservoirs of the fifth member of the Triassic Xujiahe Formation (Xu-5 Member) in the Wubaochang area, northeastern Sichuan Basin, play a critical role in controlling gas well productivity. To delineate the distribution patterns of faults and associated fracture zones in this area, a transfer-trained convolutional neural network (CNN) model and an XGBoost-based intelligent seismic attribute fusion method were employed to identify faults and fracture zones, respectively, enabling precise characterization of their spatial distribution. The faults in the Wubaochang area are classified into first- to fourth-order structures, with the average fracture zone width on the hanging wall exceeding that of the footwall, demonstrating a strong positive correlation between fracture zone width and fault displacement. The study area is subdivided into three distinct deformation regions (southern, central, and northern regions) featuring five fault structural styles (imbricate thrust, imbricate-backthrust, duplex, composite syncline imbricate-backthrust, and composite anticline imbricate-backthrust) and four corresponding fracture zone development patterns (imbricate thrust, imbricate-backthrust, composite syncline imbricate-backthrust, and composite anticline imbricate-backthrust). Based on the controlling effects of faults on gas enrichment, the dual-source hydrocarbon-generating zones are interpreted to be predominantly distributed in the northern and central regions, while the southwestern and southeastern sectors are identified as fault-induced gas-escape zones. By integrating the distribution of favorable reservoir development areas and fracture zones, two classes of gas enrichment zones (ClassⅠand Ⅱ) are delineated. ClassⅠzones are primarily distributed in the northern region and the transitional zone from the southern to central regions, whereas Class Ⅱ zones are concentrated in the central region. ClassⅠzones exhibit dual-source hydrocarbon-generation conditions, larger-scale fracture zone development, and higher favorability compared to Class Ⅱ zones. Analysis of local stress fields and drilling fluid loss data indicates that within ClassⅠzones, fault-controlled fold-related fracture zones demonstrate higher effectiveness, whereas fault-controlled fracture zones dominate in Class Ⅱ zones. A high-productivity gas well model for the Wubaochang area is proposed, emphasizing “dual-source faults controlling enrichment, effective fracture zones controlling high production, and high matrix porosity ensuring sustained production”. Targeted drilling directions for different favorable zones are further optimized based on this model.

Key words： Triassic Xujiahe Formation; tight sandstone; fracture zone; artificial intelligence; distribution pattern; gas enrichment zone; northeastern Sichuan Basin

Cite this article

LI Hao, ZHANG Hang, ZENG Lianbo, ZENG Lingping, WANG Zhen, ZHANG Haiyan, YANG Ziyi, LIU Shiqiang . Intelligent identification and distribution patterns of faults and associated fracture zones in tight sandstone reservoirs: A case study of Member 5 of Xujiahe Formation in Wubaochang area, northeastern Sichuan Basin, SW China[J]. Petroleum Exploration and Development, 0 : 20250140 . DOI: 10.11698/PED.20250140

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