Three-dimensional modeling and gas reservoir numerical simulation of the Jiantianba reef outcrop in northwestern Hubei: A case study using traditional outcrop data set and the UAV oblique photography model

CHEN Xingyue; YIN Senlin; SUN Jing; GAO Quanhui; TANG Pan; LEI Zhangshu; DUAN Zhiwen

doi:10.19826/j.cnki.1009-3850.2025.03001

2025 Vol. 45, No. 2

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CHEN Xingyue, YIN Senlin, SUN Jing, GAO Quanhui, TANG Pan, LEI Zhangshu, DUAN Zhiwen. 2025. Three-dimensional modeling and gas reservoir numerical simulation of the Jiantianba reef outcrop in northwestern Hubei: A case study using traditional outcrop data set and the UAV oblique photography model. Sedimentary Geology and Tethyan Geology, 45(2): 282-293. doi: 10.19826/j.cnki.1009-3850.2025.03001

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CHEN Xingyue, YIN Senlin, SUN Jing, GAO Quanhui, TANG Pan, LEI Zhangshu, DUAN Zhiwen. 2025. Three-dimensional modeling and gas reservoir numerical simulation of the Jiantianba reef outcrop in northwestern Hubei: A case study using traditional outcrop data set and the UAV oblique photography model. Sedimentary Geology and Tethyan Geology, 45(2): 282-293. doi: 10.19826/j.cnki.1009-3850.2025.03001

Three-dimensional modeling and gas reservoir numerical simulation of the Jiantianba reef outcrop in northwestern Hubei: A case study using traditional outcrop data set and the UAV oblique photography model

1.
School of Computer Science, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434023, China
2.
Institute of Mud Logging Technology and Engineering, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434023, China
3.
School of Petroleum Engineering, Yangtze University, Wuhan 430100, China
4.
Karamay Mud Logging Engineering Company of Xibu, CNPC, Karamay 834000, China
5.
School of Geosciences, Yangtze University, Wuhan 430100, China
6.
Hubei Key Laboratory of Complex Shale Oil and Gas Geology and Development in Southern China, Yangtze University, Wuhan 430100, China

More Information

Corresponding author: YIN Senlin, yinxiang_love@126.com

Received Date: 14 June 2023

Revised Date: 18 September 2023

Accepted Date: 17 April 2024

Publish Date: 20 June 2025

Abstract

Abstract

By integrating traditional field investigation, UAV oblique photogrammetry, and 3D geological modeling techniques, a 3D quantitative prototype model was established using the outcrop of the Upper Permian Changxing Formation carbonate platform-margin reef at Jiantianba in northwestern Hubei as a case study. Numerical simulation of gas reservoirs was subsequently conducted. From bottom to top, 13 sedimentary microfacies and 5 complete depositional cycles are identified at the outcrop section, exhibiting a shallowing-upward evolution vertically, with lithological evolution from bioclastic limestone (reef base) to framestone, bafflestone, boundstone, and finally micritic bioclastic limestone (reef top). 3D modeling demonstrates significant spatial heterogeneity: micritic dolostone occurs as clusters in the reef top and cap, sponge-framestone forms banded layers in the middle-upper reef, algal-bound sponge reef limestone exhibits irregularly connected patches in the middle-lower reef, algal-bound reef limestone appears as sheet-like units in the lower reef, bioclastic micritic limestone is distributed as isolated points at the reef base. Pressure simulations show rapid pressure depletion (with an initial pressure of 41.5 MPa decreasing to 28 MPa after 1 year, and further to 12 MPa after 5 years) and gas saturation decline (with an initial level of 70% dropping to 56% at the reef top and 60% in the upper reef after 1 year, and further decreasing to 14% at the reef top and 38% in the upper reef after 5 years). The reef top, with superior reservoir quality, shows a rapid decline in gas saturation (to 42%), while the upper reef, with poorer properties, exhibits slower saturation reduction (to 22%). This study highlights that: The 3D geological model demonstrates the complexity and heterogeneity of the reef structure, with the dolomite in the upper part of the reef (reef cover) displaying the best reservoir characteristics. The numerical simulation results reflect that reef gas reservoir is characterized by a rapid decline in pressure during the early production stages and a slower decline in the later stages. In summary, the outcrop geological model based on the 3D digital outcrop model can better simulate the numerical seepage and residual gas distribution of reef gas reservoirs.
- UAV /
- digital outcrop /
- reef-beach facies /
- 3D modeling /
- numerical simulation of gas reservoir /
- Changxing Formation gas reservoir

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References

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