Main controlling factors and distribution of high-quality deep dolomite reservoirs in typical cratonic basins in China

Deep dolomite in cratonic basins is an essential target for future natural gas exploration in China. Statistical analyses of major cratonic basins in China, such as the Sichuan, Tarim, and Ordos basins, indicate that the major types of deep dolomite (including granular dolomite, microbial dolomite, and crystalline dolomite) where fracture-vug and fracture-pore dominate the pore types. It is proposed that the favorable sedimentary microfacies is the base, whereas early dissolution is a necessary condition to form pores. Early dolomitization in penecontemporaneous and shallow burial periods is helpful to preserving the pores that developed during the penecontemporaneous period. Additionally, supergene karstification and structural fractures improve reservoir physical properties. It is pointed that sedimentary facies still control the referred high-quality deep dolomite reservoirs; they inherited more than being transformed in structure. The early sedimentary cycles, rather than depth, control their vertical distribution. Meanwhile, their lateral distribution is controlled by high-energy sedimentary facies belt rather than karstification. It is suggested that future exploration of high-quality deep dolomite reservoirs should target “both sides of an intra-platform rift” and low-middle parts of carbonate slopes.