Genetic mechanism and main controlling factors of deep marine condensate reservoirs: A case study of the Shunbei No.4 fault zone in Tarim Basin, NW China

Typical condensate reservoirs have been developed in the No.4 fault zone of the Shunbei area in the Tarim Basin. However, exploration expansion is restricted due to the unclear genetic mechanisms and main controlling factors of condensate accumulation. Through a comprehensive analysis of organic geochemical characteristics and the regional geological background, the genetic mechanisms and main controlling factors of condensate accumulation in the No.4 fault zone of the Shunbei area have been identified, and the following understandings are mainly obtained: (1) the condensate oil and gas reservoirs in the No.4 fault zone of the Shunbei area are mainly primary condensate reservoirs, and their formation is mainly affected by differential maturation of organic matter, multi-phase accumulation, and secondary alteration; (2) the overall secondary effects on the condensate oil and gas reservoirs in the Shunbei No.4 fault zone are relatively weak, however, the secondary effect experienced by the middle and southern sections is relatively stronger compared to the northern section; these secondary processes include oil cracking, gas invasion, and thermochemical sulfate reduction (TSR); and (3) the enrichment degree of condensate oil and gas reservoirs in the northern section of the Shunbei No.4 fault zone is significantly higher than in the middle and southern sections; the enrichment and high production of condensate oil and gas are mainly controlled by transport conditions and reservoir scale. Stronger fault activity, better transport conditions, larger reservoir size, and thinner gypsum-salt rock layers facilitate the upward migration of oil and gas along strike-slip faults, leading to higher production and enrichment of condensate.