Reservoir system quality prediction
| Exploring for Oil and Gas Traps | |
| |
| Series | Treatise in Petroleum Geology |
|---|---|
| Part | Predicting the occurrence of oil and gas traps |
| Chapter | Predicting reservoir system quality and performance |
| Author | Dan J. Hartmann, Edward A. Beaumont |
| Link | Web page |
| Store | AAPG Store |
The economic success of any prospect ultimately depends on reservoir system performance. The reservoir system controls two critical economic elements of a prospect: (1) the rate and (2) the amount of hydrocarbons recovered. In geologic terms, pore type and pore–fluid interaction are the most important elements determining reservoir system performance.The interrelationship of reservoir porosity, permeability, thickness, and lateral distribution determines reservoir system quality. Although quality prediction is most effective with large amounts of superior data, useful predictions can still be made from very limited data. This section discusses methods for predicting the quality of sandstone and carbonate reservoir systems.
Sandstones vs. carbonates
Sandstones and carbonates are the dominant reservoir rocks. Although quite similar, they are different. The table below[1] compares variables affecting reservoir system quality for sandstones vs. carbonates.
| Variable | Sandstones | Carbonates |
|---|---|---|
| Sediment composition | High variability (depending on provenance and depositional environment) | Low variability [variations of CaCO3 and MgCa(CO3 )2 ] |
| Cement mineralogy | Quartz, calcite, dolomite, clay, and anhydrite, etc. | Aragonite, high- and low-Mg calcite, dolomite |
| Original pore geometry | Intergranular | Intergranular predominates, but intragranular is important |
| Ultimate pore geometry | Intergranular = intercrystalline > moldic | Intergranular = intercrystalline = moldic > microporosity |
| Uniformity of pore size, shape, and distribution | Fairly uniform within a facies | Ranges from fairly uniform to extremely heterogeneous, even within a facies |
| Influence of diagenesis | Minor to major | Usually major |
See also
- Predicting sandstone porosity and permeability
- Predicting carbonate porosity and permeability
- Classifying pore systems
- Water saturation
References
- ↑ Choquette, P., W., Pray, L., C., 1970, Geologic nomenclature and classification of porosity in sedimentary carbonates: AAPG Bulletin, vol. 54, no. 2, p. 207–250. Classic reference for basic concepts regarding carbonate porosity.
External links
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