IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v18y2025i6p1440-d1612685.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Occurrence Mechanism of Crude Oil Components in Tight Reservoirs: A Case Study of the Chang 7 Tight Oil in the Jiyuan Area, Ordos Basin, China

Author

Listed:
  • Mengya Jiang

    (State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources and Engineering, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China
    College of Geoscience, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China
    Hainan Institute of China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Sanya 572024, China)

  • Dongxia Chen

    (State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources and Engineering, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China
    College of Geoscience, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China
    Hainan Institute of China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Sanya 572024, China)

  • Qiaochu Wang

    (State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources and Engineering, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China
    College of Geoscience, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China
    Hainan Institute of China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Sanya 572024, China)

  • Fuwei Wang

    (State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources and Engineering, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China
    College of Geoscience, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China
    Hainan Institute of China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Sanya 572024, China)

  • Xiujuan Wang

    (State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources and Engineering, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China
    PetroChina Changqing Oilfield Co., Xi’an 710018, China)

  • Kuiyou Ma

    (State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources and Engineering, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China
    College of Geoscience, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China
    Hainan Institute of China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Sanya 572024, China)

  • Yuchao Wang

    (State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources and Engineering, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China
    College of Geoscience, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China
    Hainan Institute of China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Sanya 572024, China)

  • Wenzhi Lei

    (State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources and Engineering, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China
    College of Geoscience, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China
    Hainan Institute of China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Sanya 572024, China)

  • Yuqi Wang

    (State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources and Engineering, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China
    College of Geoscience, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China
    Hainan Institute of China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Sanya 572024, China)

  • Zaiquan Yang

    (State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources and Engineering, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China
    College of Geoscience, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China
    Hainan Institute of China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Sanya 572024, China)

  • Renzeng Wanma

    (State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources and Engineering, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China
    College of Geoscience, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China
    Hainan Institute of China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Sanya 572024, China)

  • Lanxi Rong

    (State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources and Engineering, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China
    College of Geoscience, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China
    Hainan Institute of China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Sanya 572024, China)

Abstract

Tight oil is an important unconventional hydrocarbon resource. The differences in occurrence characteristics between light components (LCs) and heavy components (HCs) of tight oil profoundly affect its mobility and recovery. Current research has focused mainly on the rapid evaluation of the relative contents of LCs, whereas few studies have systematically analyzed the occurrence characteristics of LCs and HCs and their controlling factors. In this study, the differential occurrence characteristics between LCs and HCs are clarified on the basis of data from thin-section petrography, X-ray diffraction, nuclear magnetic resonance, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and reservoir pyrolysis analysis. An innovative quantitative characterization methodology for the relative occurrence volumes of LCs and HCs is proposed. On the basis of this method, the controlling factors that cause the different occurrence characteristics of LCs and HCs are elucidated. Furthermore, the occurrence characteristics of LCs and HCs in various source–reservoir combinations, physical properties, and development intensities of argillaceous laminae are summarized. Finally, an occurrence model of the crude oil components in the Chang 7 tight reservoir is established. The results show that LCs and HCs in the Chang 7 tight reservoir exhibit differences in occurrence volume, state, morphology, and pore size. These differences are primarily controlled by the hydrocarbon generation intensity of the source rock, the source-to-reservoir distance (SRD), and the content of oil-wet minerals in the reservoir. The source sandwich combination exhibits high physical properties, low hydrocarbon generation intensity, high SRD, and low oil-wet mineral content, resulting in relatively high LCs. The source–reservoir interbed and reservoir sandwich combinations feature a high content of argillaceous laminae, high hydrocarbon generation intensity, low SRD, and high oil-wet mineral content, resulting in relatively low LCs. There are three occurrence models of crude oil components in the Chang 7 tight reservoir: the charging force controlling model, the adsorption effect controlling model, and the argillaceous laminae controlling model. The results of this study provide significant guidance for predicting the fluidity of tight oil, accurately assessing the amount of recoverable tight oil resources, and achieving efficient extraction of tight oil.

Suggested Citation

  • Mengya Jiang & Dongxia Chen & Qiaochu Wang & Fuwei Wang & Xiujuan Wang & Kuiyou Ma & Yuchao Wang & Wenzhi Lei & Yuqi Wang & Zaiquan Yang & Renzeng Wanma & Lanxi Rong, 2025. "Occurrence Mechanism of Crude Oil Components in Tight Reservoirs: A Case Study of the Chang 7 Tight Oil in the Jiyuan Area, Ordos Basin, China," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-28, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:6:p:1440-:d:1612685
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/6/1440/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/6/1440/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jiang, Meiling & Fang, Haixu & Liu, Yang & Zhang, Yunfeng & Wang, Chaoqun, 2023. "On movable fluid saturation of tight sandstone and main controlling factors —case study on the Fuyu oil layer in the Da'an oilfield in the Songliao basin," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 267(C).
    2. Liu Yang & Shuo Wang & Zhigang Tao & Ruixi Leng & Jun Yang, 2019. "The Characteristics of Oil Migration due to Water Imbibition in Tight Oil Reservoirs," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-15, November.
    3. Zhong, Jie & Wang, Pan & Zhang, Yang & Yan, Youguo & Hu, Songqing & Zhang, Jun, 2013. "Adsorption mechanism of oil components on water-wet mineral surface: A molecular dynamics simulation study," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 295-300.
    4. Hu, Tao & Liu, Yuan & Jiang, Fujie & Pang, Xiongqi & Wang, Qifeng & Zhou, Kuo & Wu, Guanyun & Jiang, Zhenxue & Huang, Liliang & Jiang, Shu & Zhang, Chenxi & Li, Maowen & Chen, Zhangxin, 2024. "A novel method for quantifying hydrocarbon micromigration in heterogeneous shale and the controlling mechanism," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 288(C).
    5. Li, Jiangtao & Zhou, Xiaofeng & Gayubov, Abdumalik & Shamil, Sultanov, 2023. "Study on production performance characteristics of horizontal wells in low permeability and tight oil reservoirs," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 284(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Reza Rezaee, 2022. "Editorial on Special Issues of Development of Unconventional Reservoirs," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-9, April.
    2. Huiying Zhong & Weidong Zhang & Jing Fu & Jun Lu & Hongjun Yin, 2017. "The Performance of Polymer Flooding in Heterogeneous Type II Reservoirs—An Experimental and Field Investigation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-19, April.
    3. Lianhua Hou & Zhongying Zhao & Xia Luo & Jingkui Mi & Zhenglian Pang & Lijun Zhang & Senhu Lin, 2024. "Evaluation of Recoverable Hydrocarbon Reserves and Area Selection Methods for In Situ Conversion of Shale," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-24, June.
    4. Yiran Wang & Xinglong Chen & Nannan Liu & Hengchen Qi, 2024. "Diffusion of N 2 /CH 4 /CO 2 in Heptane-Containing Nanoblind Ends," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-19, October.
    5. Zhang, Yingnan & Li, Shujun & Dou, Xiangji & Wang, Sen & He, Yanfeng & Feng, Qihong, 2023. "Molecular insights into the natural gas regulating tight oil movability," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 270(C).
    6. Qi, Yingxia & Meng, Xiangqi & Mu, Defu & Sun, Yangliu & Zhang, Hua, 2016. "Study on mechanism and factors affecting the gas leakage through clearance seal at nano-level by molecular dynamics method," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 252-259.
    7. Li, Jiangtao & Zhou, Xiaofeng & Gayubov, Abdumalik & Shamil, Sultanov, 2023. "Study on production performance characteristics of horizontal wells in low permeability and tight oil reservoirs," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 284(C).
    8. Dongsheng Chen & Wei Zheng & Taichao Wang & Fan Liu & Tong Cheng & Hengyuan Chen & Tingting Miao, 2022. "Influence of Temperature on the Adsorption and Diffusion of Heavy Oil in Quartz Nanopore: A Molecular Dynamics Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-17, August.
    9. Park, Hyemin & Han, Jinju & Sung, Wonmo, 2015. "Effect of polymer concentration on the polymer adsorption-induced permeability reduction in low permeability reservoirs," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 666-671.
    10. Yang, Renfeng & Jiang, Ruizhong & Guo, Sheng & Chen, Han & Tang, Shasha & Duan, Rui, 2021. "Analytical study on the Critical Water Cut for Water Plugging: Water cut increasing control and production enhancement," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 214(C).
    11. Chen, Zherui & Zhang, Yue & Sun, Jingyue & Tian, Yuxuan & Liu, Weiguo & Chen, Cong & Dai, Sining & Song, Yongchen, 2024. "The influence of cyclodextrin on hydrophobicity of pipeline and asphalt distribution: A green and efficient corrosion inhibitor," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 297(C).
    12. Sizhong Peng & Congjun Feng & Zhen Qiu & Qin Zhang & Wen Liu & Wanli Gao, 2025. "Enhanced Data-Driven Machine Learning Models for Predicting Total Organic Carbon in Marine–Continental Transitional Shale Reservoirs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-29, February.
    13. Wang, Zhipeng & Ning, Zhengfu & Guo, Wenting & Chen, Zhangxin, 2024. "Multiscale evaluation of virtual fractures induced by direct current electric fields in multiple scenarios," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 313(C).
    14. Ahmadi, Mohammadali & Chen, Zhangxin, 2022. "Molecular dynamics simulation of oil detachment from hydrophobic quartz surfaces during steam-surfactant Co-injection," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 254(PC).
    15. Perdomo, Felipe A. & Millán, Beatriz M. & Aragón, José L., 2014. "Predicting the physical–chemical properties of biodiesel fuels assessing the molecular structure with the SAFT−γ group contribution approach," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 274-290.
    16. Sun, Hai & Li, Tianhao & Li, Zheng & Fan, Dongyan & Zhang, Lei & Yang, Yongfei & Zhang, Kai & Zhong, Junjie & Yao, Jun, 2023. "Shale oil redistribution-induced flow regime transition in nanopores," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:6:p:1440-:d:1612685. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.