Multi-Scale Pore Structure Heterogeneity in Tuff Reservoirs Investigated with Multi-Experimental Method and Fractal Dimensions in Chang 7 Formation, Southern Ordos Basin

The tight tuff reservoir is an unusual type of unconventional reservoir with strong heterogeneity. However, there is a lack of research on the microscopic pore structure that causes the heterogeneity of tuff reservoirs. Using the Chang 7 Formation in Ordos Basin, China as a case study, carbon-dioxide gas adsorption, nitrogen gas adsorption and high-pressure mercury injection are integrated to investigate the multi-scale pore structure characteristics of tuff reservoirs. Meanwhile, the fractal dimension is introduced to characterize the complexity of pore structure in tuff reservoirs. By this multi-experimental method, the quantitative characterizations of the full-range pore size distribution of four tuff types were obtained and compared in the size ranges of micropores, mesopores and macropores. Fractal dimension curves derived from full-range pores are divided into six segments as D1, D2, D3, D4, D5 and D6 corresponding to fractal characteristics of micropores, smaller mesopores, larger mesopores, smaller macropores, medium macropores and larger macropores, respectively. The macropore volume, average macropore radius and fractal dimension D5 significantly control petrophysical properties. The larger macropore volume, average macropore radius and D5 correspond to favorable pore structure and good reservoir quality, which provides new indexes for the tuff reservoir evaluation. This study enriches the understanding of the heterogeneity of pore structures and contributes to unconventional oil and gas exploration and development.