Earth Science Frontiers ›› 2025, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (5): 113-130.DOI: 10.13745/j.esf.sf.2025.8.57

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Advances and prospects of meandering river sedimentary architecture research

YUE Dali1,2,3(), LI Wei1,2,*(), WANG Wurong1,2, WU Shenghe1,2,3, LI Honghui1,2, LIU Jingyang1,2, LIU Lei1,2,3, XU Zimo1,2, LIN Jin1,2, WU Guangzhen1,2   

  1. 1. State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources and Engineering, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China
    2. College of Geosciences, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China
    3. College of Artificial Intelligence, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China
  • Received:2025-08-15 Revised:2025-08-18 Online:2025-09-25 Published:2025-10-14
  • Contact: LI Wei

Abstract:

Fluvial facies constitute one of the major reservoir types globally, accounting for 42.6% of the proven and developed reserves in terrestrial clastic reservoirs in China, with meandering rivers representing important components. Multi-scale sedimentary architecture characterization plays a critical role in unlocking hydrocarbon potential in high water-cut oilfields and facilitating the large-scale, efficient development of unconventional reservoirs. Over the past three decades, significant progress has been made in understanding meandering river sedimentary architecture models, improving characterization and modelling techniques, and elucidating the role of reservoir architecture in oilfield development. (1) Based on prototype model studies of outcrop successions and modern sediments, the depositional evolution mechanisms of channels and their internal architectural elements have been further elucidated, including establishing qualitative and quantitative architectural models for channel belts, point bars, and lateral accretion sandbodies. (2) Various architectural characterization methods have been developed, including multi-well correlation and intelligent well-to-seismic integration. Additionally, reservoir architecture modelling approaches have been explored using multiple-point statistics, bounding surfaces of single sandbody architecture, and artificial intelligence (AI). (3) The multi-scale architectures of meandering river successions provide important guidance for development of offshore oilfields with large well spacing, enhancing remaining hydrocarbon recovery in high water-cut oilfields, and optimizing horizontal well placement and trajectory design in unconventional reservoirs. Future research should deepen the mechanistic understanding of architectural models across different meandering river types and advance intelligent characterization and modelling techniques for meandering river sedimentary architectures, integrating geological knowledge with well-seismic data. This will offer theoretical and technical support for the efficient development of oil and gas fields.

Key words: meandering river, sedimentary architecture, well-seismic integration, geological modelling, artificial intelligence

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