Characteristics of barrier layers and interlayers in reservoirs deposited in fan delta front and their influence on development: a case study of the Yulou oil-bearing sets in Liaohe Basin in China

Taking the Yulou oil-bearing sets in some experimental area of the West Depression in Liaohe Basin as an example, based on logs from 400 wells, cores from seven wells, three-dimensional seismic data, and analysis and test data, fine stratigraphic correlation and sedimentary facies analysis have been carried out. The researches are conducted to find out the developmental characteristics of barrier layers and interlayers in the target horizon and their influence on the heavy oil thermal recovery. From the perspective of oil genesis, the barrier layers and interlayers are divided into three types. Thickness of barrier layers sandwiched between different layers is mostly more than 2 m. It is shown that the existence of barrier layers and interlayers greatly enhances the spatial heterogeneity of reservoir. The production practice shows that the interlayers have strong impact on the reservoir development. © 2021, Saudi Society for Geosciences.