Ordos Basin, Dingbian Brick Well Block, Chang 7 Member: High-resolution Sequence Stratigraphic Division Using INPEFA

Authors

  • Yongfeng Niu Shale Oil Production and Construction Project Headquarters, Yanchang Oilfield Company Limited, Yan'an, Shaanxi 716000, China
  • Xin Hui Shale Oil Production and Construction Project Headquarters, Yanchang Oilfield Company Limited, Yan'an, Shaanxi 716000, China
  • Ji Han Shale Oil Production and Construction Project Headquarters, Yanchang Oilfield Company Limited, Yan'an, Shaanxi 716000, China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54097/cs0rfp49

Keywords:

Chang 7 oil-bearing formation; Dingbian Brick Well Block; INPEFA curve; high-resolution sequence stratigraphy.

Abstract

The tuff marker bed of Chang 7 Member of Yanchang Formation in the Ordos Basin is superimposed in multiple periods, and the shale layer system has significant time-crossing filling characteristics. There is great uncertainty in the isochronous comparison of the sub-members of the traditional lithostratigraphic method. Based on the natural gamma logging curve of drilling in Dingbianzhuan well block, the comprehensive prediction error filtering analysis ( INPEFA ) technology is used, supplemented by the constraint of tuff marker layer, and the high-resolution sequence division is carried out for the sub-members of Chang 71, Chang 72and Chang 73. The results show that the Chang 7 oil layer group belongs to a long-term base level descending half cycle as a whole, and two fourth-order sequences can be divided inside. The lower fourth-order sequence consists of a complete symmetrical cycle composed of the Chang 73  progradational sequence group and the Chang 72  regressive sequence group, with the maximum regressive surface located in the interior of Chang 72. The upper fourth-order sequence corresponds to Chang 71, and only the ascending half cycle is retained. The fifth-order sequence is divided into : 1 progradational parasequence developed in Chang 73, 2 parasequence developed in Chang 72, and 2 regressive parasequence developed in Chang 71. The INPEFA trend curve quantitatively reveals differences in cyclic structure among the three sub-members: a continuous negative trend in Chang 7₃ indicates progradation, with a positive trend shift at the top marking the terminal flooding surface; in Chang 7₂, the lower part continues the negative trend while the upper part shifts to positive, with the minimum at the trend transition pinpointing the maximum regressive surface; Chang 7₁ is dominated by a positive trend, with stepwise rise interrupted by two negative deflections, each corresponding to two brief provenance progradation events during the lake transgression. Sequence boundaries at all levels can be traced and correlated across the study area. This division scheme provides a quantitative basis for isochronous stratigraphic correlation in deep-water fine-grained sedimentary areas that does not rely on static lithological boundaries.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

[1] Sloss, L. L. (1963). Sequences in the cratonic interior of North America. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 74(2), 93–114..

[2] Vail, P. R., Mitchum, R. M., Campion, K. M., & Rahmanian, V. (1977). Seismic stratigraphy and global changes of sea level, Part 3: Relative changes of sea level from coastal onlap. In C. E. Payton (Ed.), Seismic stratigraphy—Application to hydrocarbon exploration (pp. 63–81). AAPG Memoir 26. American Association of Petroleum Geologists.

[3] Wilgus, C. K., Posamentier, H. W., Hastings, B. S., Van Wagoner, J. C., Ross, C. A., & Kendall, C. G. S. C. (1993). Principles of sequence stratigraphy (Integrated analysis of sea-level changes) (H. D. Xu, K. S. Wei, W. D. Hong, et al., Trans.). Petroleum Industry Press.

[4] Xie, X. N., & Li, S. T. (1993). Characteristics of sequence stratigraphy in continental basins. Geological Science and Technology Information, (1), 33–38.

[5] Li, S. T., Lin, C. S., Xie, X. N., & Yang, M. (1995). Sequence stratigraphy of large continental basins—a case study of Mesozoic Ordos Basin. Earth Science Frontiers, 2(4), 133–144.

[6] Deng, H. W. (1995). A new school of thought in sequence stratigraphic studies in the U.S.: high-resolution sequence stratigraphy. Oil & Gas Geology, 16(2), 89–97.

[7] Zheng, R. C., Wen, H. G., & Li, F. J. (2010). High-resolution sequence stratigraphy. Geological Publishing House.

[8] Nio, S. D., Brouwer, J., Smith, D., & de Jong, G. (2005). Integrated Prediction Error Filter Analysis (INPEFA) and its application to stratigraphic interpretation. First Break, 23(4), 41–46.

[9] Wang, J. W., Jin, S. D., Wei, X. F., & Chen, Y. (2025). Astronomical cycle identification and sequence stratigraphic division of the Lower Carboniferous Dawuba Formation shale in southwestern Guizhou. Geological Science and Technology Bulletin, 44(4).

[10] Liu, Y. F., Li, X. Y., Zhang, S. C., & Wang, H. (2024). High-resolution sequence stratigraphy research based on continuous wavelet transform and INPEFA: A case study in the Kalashayi Formation, Tarim Basin, China. Unconventional Resources, 4, 100099. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.uncres.2024.100099

[11] Wan, T., Li, Y. L., & Zhang, H. (2025). Sequence stratigraphic framework and sedimentary characteristics of the Paleogene in the Dongpu Depression. Fault-Block Oil & Gas Field, (3), 389–397.

[12] Yang, H., Fu, J. H., & Yuan, X. Q. (2012). Tectonic characteristics and hydrocarbon distribution in the Ordos Basin. Petroleum Industry Press.

[13] Zhao, J. Z., Wang, D. X., Cao, Q., & Liu, J. (2018). Structural characteristics and hydrocarbon accumulation of the Yanchang Formation in the western part of the northern Shaanxi slope, Ordos Basin. Oil & Gas Geology, 39(2), 223–232.

[14] Fu, J. H., Li, S. X., Niu, X. B., & Liu, X. (2020). Geological characteristics and exploration practice of shale oil in Chang 7 Member of Triassic Yanchang Formation, Ordos Basin. Petroleum Exploration and Development, 47(5), 870–882.

[15] He, D. F., Li, D. S., Tong, X. G., & Wang, Y. (2008). The role of paleouplifts in controlling oil accumulation in multi-stage superimposed basins. Acta Petrolei Sinica, 29(4), 475–483.

[16] Liu, C. Y., Zhao, H. G., Gui, X. J., & Wang, J. (2006). Space-time coordinate of the evolution and reformation of the Ordos Basin and its responses to hydrocarbon accumulation and mineralization. Acta Geologica Sinica, 80(5), 617–638.

[17] Zhang, W. Z., Yang, H., Li, J. F., & Peng, P. (2006). Dominant role of high-quality source rocks in Chang 7 Member of Ordos Basin in low-permeability reservoir formation: characteristics and mechanism of intensive hydrocarbon generation and expulsion. Petroleum Exploration and Development, 33(3), 289–296.

[18] Yang, H., & Zhang, W. Z. (2005). Dominant role of high-quality source rocks in Chang 7 Member of Ordos Basin in low-permeability reservoir formation: geological and geochemical evidence. Geochimica, 34(2), 147–154.

[19] Pang, J. G., Li, W. H., Chen, Q. H., & Wang, B. (2019). Sedimentary characteristics and organic matter enrichment mechanism of the maximum flooding period of the Triassic Yanchang Formation in the Ordos Basin. Acta Sedimentologica Sinica, 37(3), 497–508.

[20] Li, X. B., Liu, H. Q., Wang, D. Y., & Zhang, L. (2012). Deep-water sedimentary characteristics and paleogeographic reconstruction of the Chang 7 Member, Ordos Basin. Journal of Palaeogeography, 14(3), 311–320.

[21] Zou, C. N., Yang, Z., Cui, J. W., & Zhu, R. (2013). Formation mechanism, geological characteristics and development strategies of shale oil. Petroleum Exploration and Development, 40(1), 14–26.

[22] Li, W. H., Pang, J. G., Cao, H. X., & Zhao, J. (2009). Depositional systems and lithofacies paleogeographic evolution of the Late Triassic Yanchang Period in the Ordos Basin. Journal of Northwest University (Natural Science Edition), 39(3), 501–506.

[23] Fu, J. H., Luo, S. S., Niu, X. B., & Wang, S. (2014). Lithofacies characteristics and sedimentary environment of fine-grained sediments in the Chang 7 Member, Ordos Basin. Acta Sedimentologica Sinica, 32(2), 269–277.

[24] Yang, Z., Zou, C. N., Fu, J. H., & Wu, S. (2021). Exploration progress and challenges of continental shale oil in the Triassic Chang 7 Member, Ordos Basin. China Petroleum Exploration, 26(3), 1–14.

[25] Fu, S. T., Yao, J. L., Sun, L. Y., & Zhang, Y. (2019). Exploration and development status and resource potential of Mesozoic shale oil in Ordos Basin. China Petroleum Exploration, 24(5), 577–586.

[26] Li, S. X., Niu, X. B., Liu, X. S., & Fu, J. (2020). Major breakthrough and enlightenment of large-scale exploration of shale oil in Chang 7 Member, Ordos Basin. Acta Petrolei Sinica, 41(12), 1469–1482.

[27] Milankovitch, M. (1941). Kanon der Erdbestrahlung und seine Anwendung auf das Eiszeitenproblem. Royal Serbian Academy.

[28] Zheng, R. C., Wen, H. G., & Li, F. J. (2010). High-resolution sequence stratigraphy. Geological Publishing House.

[29] Li, F. J., Zheng, R. C., & Zhao, J. X. (2008). Consistency of Milankovitch cycles in the Yanchang Formation of the Ordos Basin. Journal of Xi'an Shiyou University (Natural Science Edition), 23(5), 1–6.

[30] Feng, Z. Q., Wang, P. Y., & Li, L. (2012). Cyclostratigraphy: an emerging branch of stratigraphy. Geological Review, 58(2), 340–347.

[31] Fischer, A. G., & Bottjer, D. J. (1991). Orbital forcing and sedimentary sequences. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, 61(7), 1063–1069.

[32] Xie, X. N., Lu, Y. C., Mao, K. N., & Wang, Z. (2012). Recognition and division of high-frequency cycles based on Milankovitch theory: a case study of the Meishan and Sanya Formations in the Qiongdongnan Basin. Petroleum Geology & Experiment, 34(6), 569–576.

[33] Prokoph, A., & Agterberg, F. P. (1999). Detection of sedimentary cyclicity and time-series analysis: a short review. Computers & Geosciences, 25(8), 975–993. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0098-3004(99)00046-0

[34] Ren, Y. H., Ai, M. L., Zhang, Z. D., & Liu, H. (2018). Milankovitch cycle identification and high-frequency sequence division of Chang 9 Member in Longdong area, Ordos Basin. Special Oil & Gas Reservoirs, 25(3), 27–32.

[35] Nio, S. D., Brouwer, J., Smith, D., & de Jong, G. (2005). Integrated Prediction Error Filter Analysis (INPEFA) and its application to stratigraphic interpretation. First Break, 23(4), 41–46.

[36] Lu, S. X., Zhang, H. Z., Meng, E., & Li, G. (2007). Application of INPEFA technique to sequence stratigraphy study. Oil Geophysical Prospecting, 42(6), 703–708.

[37] Xue, H. H., Li, J. Z., Li, S. J., & Wang, Q. (2015). Application of INPEFA in high-resolution sequence stratigraphy: a case study of Chang 4+5 oil-bearing formation in Youfangzhuang area, Ordos Basin. Journal of Ocean University of China (Natural Science Edition), 45(7), 101–106.

[38] Zhang, Y. B., Zhao, Z. J., & Wang, G. B. (2010). Application of spectral analysis in identifying Milankovitch cycles and high-frequency sequences: a case study of the Lower Ordovician Yingshan Formation in Tazhong-Bachu area, Tarim Basin. Petroleum Exploration and Development, 37(2), 162–168.

[39] Liu, Y. F., Li, X. Y., Zhang, S. C., & Wang, H. (2024). High-resolution sequence stratigraphy research based on continuous wavelet transform and INPEFA: A case study in the Kalashayi Formation, Tarim Basin, China. Unconventional Resources, 4, 100099. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.uncres.2024.100099

Downloads

Published

01-07-2026

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Niu, Y., Hui, X., & Han, J. (2026). Ordos Basin, Dingbian Brick Well Block, Chang 7 Member: High-resolution Sequence Stratigraphic Division Using INPEFA. Academic Journal of Science and Technology, 21(2), 74-81. https://doi.org/10.54097/cs0rfp49