Wang Xiuwei1, Yang Xiaochen1, Wu Chenlin2, Hu Chenguang1, He Yijian3, Jiang Zhou1, Zhang Fan2, Wang Chao1, Zhu Yushuang4
World Geology.
Online available: 2026-07-20
The reservoirs of the Linhe Formation in the Linhua well area, Hetao Basin, exhibit strong heterogeneity, significant variations in petrophysical properties, and complex pore structures, which have restricted hydrocarbon exploration and development. Based on 12 sandstone samples collected from the study area, a comprehensive investigation was conducted by integrating multiple analytical approaches, including casting thin-section petrography, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), mercury intrusion capillary pressure (MICP), and waterflooding visualization experiments using real-sandstone micromodels. This study systematically characterized pore types, fractal characteristics, and waterflooding flow responses, clarified the relationships among fractal dimensions, reservoir properties, and flow response, and revealed the controlling effects of fractal characteristics on waterflooding pathways and displacement patterns. The results show that, based on petrophysical properties and oil-test characteristics, the reservoirs in the study area can be classified into three types: typeⅠ (high-quality reservoirs), type Ⅱ (moderatequality reservoirs), and type Ⅲ (poor-quality reservoirs). Type I reservoirs are dominated by primary intergranular pores, with locally developed enlarged dissolution pores and a certain proportion of micropores, forming a wellconnected effective pore network with distinct preferential flow channels. Type II reservoirs are characterized by the co-development of intergranular pores and dissolution pores, with local coexistence of macropores and micropores. Type III reservoirs are dominated by tiny intergranular pores and intercrystalline micropores, with small pore sizes, poor connectivity, and an overall compact structure. The average fractal dimensions of type I, type II, and type III reservoirs are approximately 2. 88, 2. 81, and 2. 75, respectively, corresponding to complex, moderately complex, and relatively simple and compact pore systems. The visualized waterflooding experiments indicate that the three reservoir types exhibit “ finger-like to network-like,” “ finger-like to uniform,” and “ network-like to uniform” displacement patterns, respectively. Overall, fractal dimensions shows a good correspondence with waterflooding flow response: higher fractal dimensions are generally associated with complex pore structures, well-developed preferential flow channels, and stronger heterogeneous flow, whereas lower fractal dimensions commonly correspond to slow and relatively uniform flow under compact pore-structure conditions. The integrated application of multiscale pore-structure characterization, mercury-intrusion-based fractal analysis, and waterflooding visualization experiments using real-sandstone micromodels establishes the relationship between reservoir fractal characteristics and displacement patterns, reveals the controlling effect of static pore structure on dynamic flow response, and provides a basis for fine reservoir evaluation, differentiated development, and well placement in the study area.