Nanopore Structure Distribution of the Upper Paleozoic Tight Sandstones and Its Controls on Gas Production Performance in the Shenfu Area, Northeastern Ordos Basin, China

Based on X-ray diffraction, thin section and scanning electron microscopy observation, helium porosity and permeability tests and high-pressure mercury intrusion experiments, the pore and throat distributions of tight sandstone reservoirs were revealed on a nm–μm scale, and their control on gas productivity in the Shenfu area, northeastern Ordos Basin, China was discussed. The results show that lithic sandstones are the main rock types. As the burial depth increases, the quartz content increases, while the feldspar content decreases. There is approximately 5–25% of interstitial material varying between the different layers, and this interstitial material is mainly composed of mud, kaolinite and Fe-calcite. These tight sandstone reservoirs generally have porosities <10% and permeabilities <1 mD. Except for the Shiqianfeng Formation, the dissolution pores in other Upper Paleozoic strata all account for more than 80% of pores. The main pore types are mainly intragranular dissolution pores, intergranular dissolution pores and cement dissolution pores. Generally, the pore radius is approximately 500 nm, while the pore throats are much smaller are variable in size. Wells with high amounts of sandstones but low gas production rate are generally characterized by dominant intercrystalline pores, few macropores, and low effective porosity. The lithology and reservoir characteristics, which are controlled by primary deposition and secondary diagenesis, are speculated to be main factors controlling the gas contents.