Print this pageAbstract: Impact
of 
Diagenetic
Processes on Sandstone Reservoir Quality: Controls, Effects,
and Predictive Evaluation Using Data from Natural and Experimental Systems
LARESE, RICHARD E.
Sandstone reservoir
quality is significantly influenced by diagenetic processes that are often
programmed by pre-burial conditions of tectonic setting, depositional facies,
and framework composition. The integration of natural and hydrothermal
experimental rock-fluid data
can be extremely useful in the predictive evaluation and modeling of porosity-modifying
diagenetic processes within sandstone reservoirs at depth. Commonly, lithologic
data may be limited or nonexistent in deeper reservoir intervals comprising
frontier and even mature basin plays. In these instances, laboratory simulation
of diagenetic processes permits the evaluation of porosity reduction, preservation,
and enhancement mechanisms that may significantly impact exploration strategy
and anticipated exploitation/production problems. Subtle variations in
diagenetic lithification/alteration can appreciably affect reservoir compressiblity
and well-bore stability characteristics during petroleum production.
Considerable emphasis has been
placed on the evaluation of diagenetic processes controlling relative preservation
of primary intergranular porosity on field-regional scales. These processes
include argillaceous and siliceous grain coatings, hydrocarbon "poisoning,"
and overpressure. In several Mesozoic clastic intervals within the Gulf
of Mexico and North Sea, optimum reservoir quality occurs in sandstones
possessing approximately 5--13 vol. % chlorite coatings that are sourced
in part by chemical alteration of in-situ labile lithic material. Moreover,
experimental evidence suggests that liquid hydrocarbon can effectively
retard quartz/clay cementation and compaction processes in sandstone
reservoir
intervals. Liquid petroleum appears to significantly retard pressure solution
compactional effects under both oil-wet and water-wet conditions. Although
liquid petroleum retards physical compaction effects in lithic-rich sandstones
under oil-wet conditions, its effectiveness on "poisoning" of ductile deformation
effects is greatly dependent on interactive chemical stability of framework
grains and timing of emplacement. Correspondingly, simulation of "early"
overpressure effects on physical compaction in lithic sandstones indicates
a porosity increase of 1.3--2.8 pore units per 1000 psi (6.9 Mpa) overpressure,
depending on the ratio of brittle to ductile framework components.
AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90938©1997-1998 AAPG Distinguished Lecturers