New Insight from Oil Accumulation Model in Tight Sandstone of the Lower Kepingtage Formation, Shuntuoguole Low Uplift, Tarim Basin, China

Tight sandstone reservoirs are prominent in the lower Kepingtage formation in the Shuntuoguole area of the Tarim basin. While previous research points to a discontinuous accumulation mode via faults leading to oil and gas concentration in structural highs, our findings unveil increased complexity in the oil system due to the presence of “quasi-continuous” sand bodies. This complexity underscores the emergence of a high porosity and permeability accumulation model in the tight sandstone, marking the first identification of two distinct oil and gas accumulation modes in the northern Shuntuoguole area. The intricate migration pathways and accumulation patterns echo the inherent reservoir heterogeneity, a hallmark of marine tight oil accumulations. Consequently, future explorations and developments should incorporate both the conventional fault-controlled and the quasi-continuous tight sandstone distribution models for a comprehensive assessment.