Pore structure and fluid saturation of near-oil source low-permeability turbidite sandstone of the Dongying Sag in the Bohai Bay Basin, East China

Abstract Pore structure and oil saturation are important parameters in petroleum exploration and development, and the relationship between them is closer in near-oil source reservoirs (with a short-distance migration of oil and gas) than in other reservoirs. Using epoxy-impregnated thin sections, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), conventional core analyses of porosity and permeability, mercury intrusion porosimetry, and well logging, the characteristics of the petrology, physical properties, and pore structure we studied, as well as the relationship between pore structure and fluid saturation (maximum mercury intrusion saturation Smax and oil saturation So) of the near-oil source low-permeability turbidite sandstone reservoirs in the Es3 member of the Dongying Sag, Bohai Bay Basin, eastern China. The results indicate that the turbidite sandstone reservoirs are mainly composed of fine sandstone and siltstone, with porosities and permeabilities ranging from 5 to 25% and 0.1 to 40 mD, respectively, and can be classified as medium to low porosity and extra-low to ultra-low permeability reservoirs. The pore types of high-quality reservoirs are mainly dominated by intergranular pores, both primary and dissolved, probably due to the influence of the acidic fluids generated from the cracking of organic matter. The pore structure is complex with respect to the pore-throat size distribution, and the overall pore-throat radius is small. Several pore structure parameters together affect the fluid saturation distribution, among which the medium pore-throat radius (R50) and medium saturation pressure (P50) are especially correlated with oil saturation. Different pore structure types have different characteristics of fluid saturation distribution, and the oil-bearing grade and oil saturation of the reservoirs above the oil-water contact are typically positively correlated with pore structure. This study will help to classify the pore structure in the wellbore profile and improve the accuracy of the oil saturation calculation by well logging.