High-Frequency Sequence Stratigraphy and Fine-Scale Reservoir Characterization of the Devonian Sandstone, Donghe Formation, North Uplift of the Tarim Basin

The Devonian Donghe Sandstone complex in North Uplift of the Tarim Basin comprises of a series of diachronous sandy intervals deposited from the Late Devonian to Early Mississippian. They are constrained by a Late Devonian to Early Pennsylvanian 2nd-order supersequence and can be subdivided into five 3rd-order sequences, namely, S1, S2, S3, S4, and S5, from the oldest to youngest. Cores from four wells, 40 wireline logs, 410 thin sections, and porosity and permeability data from 639 spots from four wells were used to study the sediment provenance, build up the sequence-stratigraphic model of S5, and characterize the reservoirs at a feet scale. Detrital modes of sandstone from point counting indicate that Donghe Sandstone is directly sourced from recycled orogeny. The low content of feldspar and volcanic rock fragments suggests that Donghe Sandstone is recycled from sediment with a cratonic ultimate source. 1D and 2D chronostratigraphic correlation shows that at least 12 4th-order high-frequency sequences (HFSs), from the oldest HFS1 to the youngest HFS12, can be recognized in S5. Each HFS is characterized by a general trend of shallowing-upward facies assemblage. Sequence boundaries were defined at where regionally correlatable deep-water facies overlaying shallow-water facies. There is a general shallowing-upward trend in the S5 3rd-order sequence, characterized by a systematically increasing proportion of shallow-water facies (foreshore and upper shoreface), and a decreasing proportion of deep facies (offshore transition and lower shoreface). The shallowing-upward trend within both 3rd- and 4th-order sequences is resulted from a combined effect of eustatic sea-level change, tectonic activity, and sediment supply. The sequence-stratigraphic model of Donghe Sandstone S5 is similar to the rift-basin sequence-stratigraphic model. Sweet spots were defined as porosity >15% and permeability >100md intervals, and their distribution and lateral continuity were investigated. HFS is one of the primary controls on the distribution of sweet spots distribution and can be used to guide hydrocarbon exploration.