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Volume 16
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10.3390/geosciences16090376
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Article

Geomechanical Characteristics of Cretaceous Ultra-Deep Sandstone Reservoirs in the Southern Keshen Area, Kuqa Depression: Implications for Exploration and Development

by
Ke Xu
1,2,3,4,*,
Yixiong Hu
1,
Hui Zhang
1,2,3,4,
Wei Ju
5,6,
Weike Ning
6,
Penglin Zheng
1,
Jiajun Zhang
1,
Zhongwei Zhang
1,
Qiuyu Chen
1 and
Yuanhang Qi
1
1
Exploration and Development Research Institute of Tarim Oilfield Company of China National Petroleum Corporation, Korla 841000, China
2
Research and Development Center for Exploration and Development Technology of Ultra Deep Complex Oil and Gas Reservoirs of China National Petroleum Corporation, Korla 841000, China
3
Engineering Research Center for Exploration and Development of Ultra Deep Complex Oil and Gas Reservoirs of Weiwuer Autonomous Region, Korla 841000, China
4
Key Laboratory of Ultra Deep Oil and Gas, Korla 841000, China
5
School of Geosciences, Yangtze University, Wuhan 430100, China
6
School of Resources and Geosciences, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Geosciences 2026, 16(9), 376; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences16090376
Submission received: 4 August 2026 / Revised: 10 September 2026 / Accepted: 12 September 2026 / Published: 16 September 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fault Characteristics, Fault Zone Architecture and Fluid Behavior)
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Abstract

Significant progress has been made in exploring ultra-deep tight sandstone gas in the Tarim Basin, but sweet spot prediction remains challenging in the Keshen block of the Kuqa Depression. Based on integrated geological, experimental, and seismic data, this study characterizes the geomechanical properties and in situ stress field of the Cretaceous Bashijiqike Formation and identifies the main controls on reservoir quality. 3D geomechanical modeling and finite element simulations reveal that fracture development, stress–fracture angle, structural style, and the absence of stress concentration jointly govern reservoir favorability. Stress concentration can coexist with fracture development due to differential sandstone–mudstone deformation, leading to fracture deactivation. Favorable reservoirs occur in structural positions with extensive natural fractures, moderate principal stress–fracture angles, and low stress concentration. Coupling between in situ stress and natural fractures is the key to sweet spot prediction. The proposed geomechanical workflow improves precise identification of engineering and geological sweet spots, enhancing exploration and development efficiency in ultra-deep tight gas reservoirs.
Keywords: deep tight gas reservoir; rock mechanics; in situ stress; geomechanics; Kuqa Depression deep tight gas reservoir; rock mechanics; in situ stress; geomechanics; Kuqa Depression

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Xu, K.; Hu, Y.; Zhang, H.; Ju, W.; Ning, W.; Zheng, P.; Zhang, J.; Zhang, Z.; Chen, Q.; Qi, Y. Geomechanical Characteristics of Cretaceous Ultra-Deep Sandstone Reservoirs in the Southern Keshen Area, Kuqa Depression: Implications for Exploration and Development. Geosciences 2026, 16, 376. https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences16090376

AMA Style

Xu K, Hu Y, Zhang H, Ju W, Ning W, Zheng P, Zhang J, Zhang Z, Chen Q, Qi Y. Geomechanical Characteristics of Cretaceous Ultra-Deep Sandstone Reservoirs in the Southern Keshen Area, Kuqa Depression: Implications for Exploration and Development. Geosciences. 2026; 16(9):376. https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences16090376

Chicago/Turabian Style

Xu, Ke, Yixiong Hu, Hui Zhang, Wei Ju, Weike Ning, Penglin Zheng, Jiajun Zhang, Zhongwei Zhang, Qiuyu Chen, and Yuanhang Qi. 2026. "Geomechanical Characteristics of Cretaceous Ultra-Deep Sandstone Reservoirs in the Southern Keshen Area, Kuqa Depression: Implications for Exploration and Development" Geosciences 16, no. 9: 376. https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences16090376

APA Style

Xu, K., Hu, Y., Zhang, H., Ju, W., Ning, W., Zheng, P., Zhang, J., Zhang, Z., Chen, Q., & Qi, Y. (2026). Geomechanical Characteristics of Cretaceous Ultra-Deep Sandstone Reservoirs in the Southern Keshen Area, Kuqa Depression: Implications for Exploration and Development. Geosciences, 16(9), 376. https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences16090376

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