[First Hit]

Adobe PDF fileClick to view presentation in PDF format.

A New Genetic Classification of Previous HitCarbonateNext Hit Previous HitPorosityNext Hit and Its Application to Reservoir Characterization*

By

Wayne M. Ahr1


Search and Discovery Article #40357 (2008)

Posted October 24, 2008


*Adapted from oral presentation at AAPG Annual Convention, San Antonio, TX, April 20-23, 2008.

1 Department of Geology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX. ([email protected])

Abstract

Previous HitCarbonateNext Hit pore types are formed by depositional, diagenetic, or fracture processes such that the spatial distribution of Previous HitporosityNext Hit may or may not conform to depositional facies boundaries. Pores may be formed or altered by diagenesis and brittle fracture. Understanding Previous HitcarbonateNext Hit Previous HitporosityNext Hit requires identifying pore characteristics that reflect the processes that created them. It requires determining how genetic pore types are related to petrophysical characteristics and how pore-forming processes have influenced bulk-rock properties.

Genetic pore types are part of a larger collection of rock properties formed by the three end-member processes; consequently, genetic pore types must have characteristics that correspond to petrological or stratigraphic attributes that serve as "tags" for the genetic pore types. Examples of "tags" may include unconformities, paleosols, evaporite horizons, predictable occurrences in stratigraphic cycles, or distinctive geochemical, fluid inclusion, and cathode luminescence signatures. Such tags may be recognizable in cores and thin sections, on outcrops, in sequence stratigraphic "stacking patterns", on wireline logs, and in seismic signatures.

If the mode and time of origin of the "tags" can be identified, it is then possible to predict the spatial distribution of the corresponding genetic pore types. Rock properties that correspond to genetic pore types can be put in larger stratigraphic context for use in reservoir characterization, flow unit mapping, and reservoir modeling.

Selected Figures

Figure 1 A new classification: Genetic classification of Previous HitcarbonateNext Hit rocks.
Figure 2 Depositional Previous HitporosityNext Hit. Facies maps equal proxies for Previous HitporosityNext Hit maps. North Haynesville Smackover Field, LA. Oolite grainstone, depositional intergranular Previous HitporosityNext Hit.
Figure 3 Diagenetic Previous HitporosityNext Hit. Intercrystalline pores in dolostone.
Figure 4 Fracture Previous HitporosityNext Hit. Previous HitPorosityNext Hit and permeability follow tectonic geometry and mechanical stratigraphy, not depositional or diagenetic boundaries (Stearns and Friedman, 1972; Corbett et al., 1991).
Figure 5 Pore/throat geometry dictates reservoir performance and recovery efficiency (RE).

Conclusions

Genetic classification identifies rock properties and covariant genetic pore types "bundled" by common origin. Knowing cause-effect origin of pores, pore/rock-type bundles are mappable at field scale; e.g., diagenesis associated with unconformities, fractures associated with structural geometry, depositional pore systems associated with facies boundaries. The classification facilitates improved reservoir definition, flow unit mapping, and petrophysical rock typing based on pore type and pore/pore throat geometry instead of "facies type".

References

Baceta, J.I., V.P. Wright, P.S.J. Beavington, and V. Pujalte, 2007, Palaeohydrogeological control of palaeokarst macro-Previous HitporosityNext Hit genesis during a major sea-level lowstand: Danian of the Urbasa-Andia plateau, Navarra, North Spain: Sedimentary Geology, v. 199/1-4, p. 141-169.

Corbett, K.P., M. Friedman, D.V. Wiltschko, and J.H. Hung, 1991, Controls on fracture development, spacing, and geometry in the Austin Chalk Previous HitFormationNext Hit, central Texas: considerations for exploration and production: Dallas Geological Society Field Trip #4, 49 p.

Loucks, R.G., 1999, Paleocave Previous HitcarbonateNext Hit reservoirs; origins, burial-depth modifications, spatial complexity, and reservoir implications: AAPG Bulletin, v. 83, p. 1795-1835.

Machel, H.G., 2004, Concepts and models of dolomitization; a critical reappraisal, The Geometry and Petrogenesis of Dolomite Hydrocarbon Reservoirs: GS (London) Special Publication 235, p. 7-63.

Stearns, D.W., and M. Friedman, 1972, Reservoirs in fractured rock, in Stratigraphic Oil and Gas Fields; Classification, Exploration Methods, and Case Histories: AAPG Memoir 16, p. 82-106.

Winland, H.D., 1976, Evaluation of gas slippage and pore aperture size in Previous HitcarbonateTop and sandstone reservoirs: Amoco Production Company Report F76-G-5, 25p. (unpublished).

Return to top