Abstract: With more in-depth investigations on various reservoir architectures, the theories of reservoir architectures have become increasingly mature, but application of the research results remains lagging. In this study, based on existing research on the architecture of typical braided stream reservoirs, a braided stream reservoir in the A Oilfield is divided into various architectural elements, such as the braided channels, mid-channel bars, silt layers, and troughs on bars. Criteria and methods for recognizing the seepage barriers and the connected bodies of braided stream reservoirs are analyzed and summarized, in order to provide intuitive guidance for oil and gas field exploration. The results reveal that the recognition of seepage barriers and the connected bodies establishes a linkage between the static architectural model at the pre-exploration stage and the dynamic classification of flow units at the exploration stage of oil reservoirs. Different classes of seepage barriers constrain different types of flow units. The development of seepage barriers directly impacts the types of the surrounding flow units and, thereby, affects the fluid movement pattern in the oil reservoir.

Key words: reservoir architecture, flow unit, seepage barrier, connected bodies, braided stream