Quantitative characterization of sealing integrity by caprock of Paleocene Artashi Formation gypsolyte rock in Kashi Sag of Tarim Basin, NW China

Abstract

Maintaining caprock integrity is prerequisite for hydrocarbon accumulation. And gypsolyte caprock integrity is mainly affected by fracturing. Composition, damage behavior and mechanical strength of Paleocene Artashi Formation gypsolyte rock that seals significant petroleum in the Kashi Sag of Tarim Basin had been revealed via X-ray diffraction and triaxial compression test. The results indicate the Artashi Formation can be lithologically divided into the lower and upper lithologic members. The lower member comprises gypsum as the dominant mineral, and the cohesion and friction coefficient are 8 MPa and 0.315, respectively. Similarly, the upper lithologic member consists mainly of anhydrite at the cohesion and coefficient of internal friction values of 18 MPa and 0.296. Given that the failure criterion and brittle-ductile transition factors during burial, the sealing integrity of Artashi Formation can be quantized for seven different stages. The reservoirs at the bottom of Artashi Formation caprock buried from 2285 m to 3301 m are expected to be the most favorable exploration target in the Kashi Sag.

Keywords

brittle-ductile transition / failure criterion / sealing integrity / gypsolyte caprock / Artashi Formation / Kashi Sag

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