Sedimentary model reconstruction and exploration significance of Permian He 8 Member in Ordos Basin, NW China

Based on the Late Paleozoic geological background and the latest exploration achievements of the Ordos Basin and North China platform, it is concluded that during the sedimentary period of Permian He 8 Member, the area in concern had multiple material sources, multiple river systems, flat terrain, shallow sedimentary water, widely distributed fluvial facies sand body and no continuous lake area, so alluvial river sedimentary system developed in the whole region. Based on stratigraphic correlation and division, and a large number of drilling and outcrop data, a comprehensive analysis of lithofacies and sedimentary facies types and distribution was carried out to reconstruct the ancient geographic pattern of the He 8 Member sedimentary period. The results of paleogeography restoration show that the area of Ordos Basin was the “runoff area” in the sedimentary slope in the western part of the North China platform during the sedimentary period of He 8 Member, the whole region was mainly alluvial plain sedimentation featuring alternate fluvial facies, flood plain facies and flood-plain lake facies. According to the results of flume deposition simulation experiment, a new sedimentary model of “alluvial river & flood-plain lake” is established, which reveals the genesis of large area gravel sand body in He 8 Member of this area and provides geological basis for the exploration of tight gas in the south of the basin. Key Words: Ordos Basin, He 8 Member, North China platform, paleogeographic restoration, alluvial river, flood-plain lake, sedimentary model, exploration significance