Vugs, which are defined as pores larger than adjacent grains, are common in many carbonate reservoirs. Such pores are not always recognized by conventional wireline logs. The purpose of this study is to compare pore-size distributions in Oligocene carbonates from China using core, borehole images, nuclear magnetic resonance, and capillary pressure.
The Kerr-McGee CFD2-1-2 well was drilled in the Bohai Basin in China. The reservoir consists of dolomitic limestones and fractured dolomite. The core (25 meters) was polished and inked with fluorescent paint, then photographed under black light to generate high-resolution, 2-D black and white photos. Image analysis produced detailed information about vug size and depth. Core images were then used to calibrate a Formation Micro Imager (FMI) log, so that pixel counts of vugs from the FMI would match core observations.
Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) logs measure the T2 relaxation time, a parameter that is a function of pore size and reservoir fluid composition. Laboratory NMR measurements for six core plugs have been compared to pore-size distributions from core images. These distributions are comparable for high T2s (above 92 milliseconds).
Mercury intrusion capillary pressure (MICP) measurements are used to determine pore-throat size distributions. These distributions, which can be directly compared to NMR and image analysis pore-size distributions, have very similar shapes.
The net result of this study is that a technique has been developed to relate core-calibrated borehole images to NMR and MICP data. This is an important step in the difficult process of understanding NMR log behavior in vuggy carbonate rocks.
Core description and petrographic analyses were utilized to study East Slovakian Basin sandstone reservoirs. Reservoir development is largely dependent on the original sandstone composition, which is influenced by deposition in a deltaic setting, local sourcing and volcanic activity. Sandstones are texturally and mineralogically immature lithic and feldspathic arenites. The presence of unstable lithic grains and feldspars contributes to low, irregular reservoir porosity, due to deformation by compaction, and susceptibility to chemical alteration. Reservoir quality is also influenced by the subsequent diagenesis of the sandstones, which is driven by high heat flow. Lithic fragments and feldspars alter readily to form authigenic/diagenetic mineral suites, which tend to occlude porosity; however, dissolution of some of these grains also enhances secondary porosity development. Most observed porosity in the basin sandstones is secondary, developing from dissolution of both carbonate cement and unstable framework grains. Porosities suggest a weak decreasing trend with depth of burial. However, detailed examination of several localities reveals that porosity development is strongly influenced by local factors (e.g. structural evolution, sandstone lithology, and the distribution of volcanics). Sandstones of the East Slovakian Basin are generally not good hydrocarbon reservoirs (particularly for liquid hydrocarbons), due to the presence of unstable framework grains, early carbonate cementation and authigenic/diagenetic mineral suites. Exceptions are found when dissolution of cement and framework grains results in significant secondary porosity.
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