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Volume 13
Issue 8
10.3390/pr13082529
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

Reservoir Characterization and 3D Geological Modeling of Fault-Controlled Karst Reservoirs: A Case Study of the Typical Unit of the TP12CX Fault Zone in the Tuoputai Area, Tahe Oilfield

by
Bochao Tang
1,
Chenggang Li
1,
Chunying Geng
1,
Bo Liu
1,
Wenrui Li
1,
Chen Guo
1,
Lihong Song
1,
Chao Yu
1 and
Binglin Li
2,3,*
1
Sinopec Northwest Oilfield Company, Urumqi 830011, China
2
National Key Laboratory of Deep Oil and Gas, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, China
3
Petroleum Industry Training Center, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Processes 2025, 13(8), 2529; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13082529
Submission received: 24 April 2025 / Revised: 12 July 2025 / Accepted: 7 August 2025 / Published: 11 August 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multiphase Flow, and Efficient Development Methodology and Technology in Unconventional Reservoirs (2nd Edition))
Versions Notes

Abstract

This study presents an integrated workflow for the characterization of fault-controlled fractured–vuggy reservoirs, demonstrated through a comprehensive analysis of the TP12CX fault zone in the Tahe Oilfield. The methodology establishes a four-element structural model—comprising the damage zone, fault core, vuggy zone, and cavern system—coupled with a multi-attribute geophysical classification scheme integrating texture contrast, deep learning, energy envelope, and residual impedance attributes. This framework achieves a validation accuracy of 91.2%. A novel structural element decomposition–integration approach is proposed, combining deterministic structural reconstruction with facies-constrained petrophysical modeling to quantify reservoir properties. The resulting models identify key heterogeneities, including caverns (Φ = 17.8%, K = 587 mD), vugs (Φ = 3.5%, K = 25 mD), and fractures (K = 1400 mD), with model reliability verified through production history matching. Field application of an optimized nitrogen foam flooding strategy, guided by this workflow, resulted in an incremental oil recovery of 3292 tons. The proposed methodology offers transferable value by addressing critical challenges in karst reservoir characterization, including seismic resolution limits, complex heterogeneity, and late-stage development optimization in fault-controlled carbonate reservoirs. It provides a robust and practical framework for enhanced oil recovery in structurally complex carbonate reservoirs, particularly those in mature fields with a high water cut.
Keywords: fault-controlled fractured–vuggy reservoirs; four-element structural model; enhanced oil recovery; potential tapping strategy fault-controlled fractured–vuggy reservoirs; four-element structural model; enhanced oil recovery; potential tapping strategy

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Tang, B.; Li, C.; Geng, C.; Liu, B.; Li, W.; Guo, C.; Song, L.; Yu, C.; Li, B. Reservoir Characterization and 3D Geological Modeling of Fault-Controlled Karst Reservoirs: A Case Study of the Typical Unit of the TP12CX Fault Zone in the Tuoputai Area, Tahe Oilfield. Processes 2025, 13, 2529. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13082529

AMA Style

Tang B, Li C, Geng C, Liu B, Li W, Guo C, Song L, Yu C, Li B. Reservoir Characterization and 3D Geological Modeling of Fault-Controlled Karst Reservoirs: A Case Study of the Typical Unit of the TP12CX Fault Zone in the Tuoputai Area, Tahe Oilfield. Processes. 2025; 13(8):2529. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13082529

Chicago/Turabian Style

Tang, Bochao, Chenggang Li, Chunying Geng, Bo Liu, Wenrui Li, Chen Guo, Lihong Song, Chao Yu, and Binglin Li. 2025. "Reservoir Characterization and 3D Geological Modeling of Fault-Controlled Karst Reservoirs: A Case Study of the Typical Unit of the TP12CX Fault Zone in the Tuoputai Area, Tahe Oilfield" Processes 13, no. 8: 2529. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13082529

APA Style

Tang, B., Li, C., Geng, C., Liu, B., Li, W., Guo, C., Song, L., Yu, C., & Li, B. (2025). Reservoir Characterization and 3D Geological Modeling of Fault-Controlled Karst Reservoirs: A Case Study of the Typical Unit of the TP12CX Fault Zone in the Tuoputai Area, Tahe Oilfield. Processes, 13(8), 2529. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13082529

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