Pore-throat structure, fractal characteristics and permeability prediction of tight sandstone: the Yanchang Formation, Southeast Ordos Basin

As a typical tight reservoir and an important site for unconventional hydrocarbon accumulation, the Chang 6 member of the Yanchang Formation is characterized by complex pore structures and strong heterogeneity. Analysing and characterizing the pore-throat structure is highly important for optimizing oil recovery processes. To clarify the nonhomogeneity and structural characteristics of the pore throats in the southeastern Ordos Basin, tight sandstone from the Chang 6 member was selected for analysis. Casting thin section (CTS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cathodoluminescence (CL), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and mercury intrusion capillary pressure (MICP) analyses were conducted. The results, revealed that intergranular pores, feldspar-dissolved pores, intergranular-dissolved pores, and microfractures were the predominant pore types found within the samples. By combining the results of MICP analysis with those of fractal theory, the pore-throat structure of each sample can be categorized into two types: large-scale and small-scale. Fractal theory was employed to characterize the complex and irregular pore-throat structure of the reservoir quantitatively. The average fractal dimension of large pores (D₁) was 2.8094, whereas for small pores (D₂), it was slightly lower than that of large pores, averaging 2.5325. These findings underscore that large-scale pore-throat structures are more complex and exhibit greater heterogeneity. Compared with those of large pores, the pore-throat structure parameters of small pores exhibit a more significant correlation with reservoir properties and fractal dimensions. Therefore, small pores are the primary contributors to the reservoir storage space and are key factors influencing the pore-throat structure of the Chang 6 tight sandstone. Based on the pore-throat radius and considering the influence of fractal characteristics on the pore structure, a nonlinear permeability prediction model was created using multiple regression analysis. Among these equations, the pore-throat radius corresponding to a mercury saturation of 40% (r₄₀) emerged as the most effective predictor of permeability for tight sandstone. The investigation of micropore-throat structures in tight oil reservoirs holds practical significance for comprehending the distribution and accumulation of tight oil and guiding oil field development.