Project Title: Distribution of Deep and Ultra-deep High-quality Carbonate Rock Reservoirs and the Prediction Technology of Large-scale Oil and Gas Exploration Areas

Participating Enterprises: Yangtze University, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan)

Award Received:Technological Invention Award - Bronze Award

Achievement Level: International Advanced Level

Project Number: ECF-2025-SET-1002

Main Participants: Li Xi, Zhu Guangyou, Zhang Zhiyao, Gao Heting, Li Sheng, Zhang Jiezhi, Chen Siyu, Huang Yue, Jia Fanchen, Zhu Yanqing

Expert Review Comments:
International advanced level. This project focuses on the industry bottleneck in predicting high-quality deep–ultra-deep carbonate reservoirs. It systematically reveals the formation and evolution mechanisms of such reservoirs, identifies the key controlling factors, and proposes original geological theories and a multi-scale geological–geophysical collaborative prediction technology system. Through innovative approaches such as diagenetic fluid identification, temperature–time determination, and high-temperature–high-pressure simulation, the project significantly improves reservoir prediction accuracy.
The results have been successfully applied in the Tarim, Sichuan, and Ordos basins, supporting major exploration breakthroughs in deep natural gas reservoirs and greatly promoting the evaluation and optimization of deep oil and gas exploration layouts in China. The overall technology system is systematic, highly innovative, and widely applicable, holding great strategic significance for the continuous increase of reserves and production in China’s deep–ultra-deep oil and gas fields.

Main Innovations:

This project systematically revealed the formation and evolution mechanisms of deep–ultra-deep carbonate reservoirs, clarified the key controlling factors of high-quality reservoirs, and constructed a new genetic model. It innovatively developed a multi-scale geological–geophysical collaborative prediction technology that integrates key methods such as diagenetic fluid identification, temperature–time determination, and high-temperature–high-pressure simulation. The technology has been successfully applied in the Tarim, Sichuan, and Ordos basins, accurately predicting the distribution and exploration potential of high-quality reservoirs and supporting major discoveries of deep oil and gas in China.
The project has resulted in the publication of 23 papers, authorization of 18 invention patents, and publication of 2 monographs.

Main Uses and Technical Principles:

By integrating multi-scale reservoir characterization, high-precision geochemical tracing, high-resolution logging–3D seismic imaging, and multi-dimensional geological modeling and analysis technologies, the project established a predictive model for the distribution of deep–ultra-deep carbonate reservoirs in cratonic basins.
It broke through the technical bottleneck of reservoir prediction accuracy under complex deep geological conditions and solved industry challenges related to the strong heterogeneity and high difficulty of predicting deep–ultra-deep carbonate reservoirs in cratonic basins. The technology enables precise characterization of the spatial distribution of high-quality deep–ultra-deep reservoirs, selection of large oil and gas exploration targets, and supports efficient exploration deployment, reducing deep drilling risks and providing a solid scientific basis for large oil and gas field exploration and development.

Technical Applications:

The key technologies developed in this project have been successfully integrated and applied in deep–ultra-deep oil and gas exploration practices in the Tarim, Sichuan, and Ordos cratonic basins. They have accurately predicted the distribution of high-quality reservoirs, selected favorable large-scale oil and gas targets, and supported multiple breakthrough exploration wells, significantly improving exploration success rates and economic benefits.
By combining theoretical innovation, technological breakthroughs, and practical application, this project has effectively resolved the technical challenges of deep–ultra-deep carbonate reservoir prediction. The established technology system holds strong potential for promotion in similar geological conditions worldwide, providing powerful support for technological advancement in the energy industry and the implementation of China’s national energy security strategy.