Finite-Element Modeling of Spontaneous Potential in an Axisymmetric Reservoir Model with Account of Its Shale Content

(1) This article is devoted to the development of a theoretical and algorithmic basis for numerical modeling of the spontaneous potential method (SP) as applied to the study of sandy-argillaceous reservoirs. (2) In terms of coupled flows, we consider a physical–mathematical model of SP signals from an electrochemical source, with regards to the case of fluid-saturated shaly sandstone. (3) An algorithm for 2D finite-element modeling of SP signals was developed and implemented in software, along with its internal and external testing with analytical solutions. The numerical SP modeling was carried out, determining the dependences on the reservoir thickness and porosity, the amount of argillaceous material and the type of minerals. We performed a comparative analysis of the simulated and field SP data, using the results of laboratory core examinations taken from wells in a number of fields in the Latitudinal Ob Region of Western Siberia. (4) The results of the study may be used either for the development of the existing SP techniques, by providing them with a consistent computational model, or for the design of new experimental approaches.

Finite-Element Modeling of Spontaneous Potential in an Axisymmetric Reservoir Model with Account of Its Shale Content

(1) The article is devoted to the development of a theoretical and algorithmic basis for numerical modeling of the spontaneous potential method (SP) as applied to the study of sandy-argillaceous reservoirs. (2) In terms of coupled flows, we consider a physical-mathematical model of SP signals from an electrochemical source, with regard to the case of fluid-saturated shaly sandstone. (3) An algorithm for 2D finite-element modeling of SP signals was developed and implemented in software, along with its internal and external testing with analytical solutions. The numerical SP modeling was carried out, with determining the dependences on the reservoir thickness and porosity, the amount of argillaceous material and the type of minerals. We performed a comparative analysis of the simulated and field SP data, using the results of laboratory core examinations taken from wells in a number of fields in the Latitudinal Ob Region of Western Siberia. (4) The results of the study may be used either for the development of the existing SP techniques, by providing them with a consistent computational model, or for the design of new experimental approaches.

Improved water saturation estimation in shaly sandstone through variable cementation factor

Estimation of water saturation, Sw, in shaly sandstone is an intricate process. The surface conduction of clay minerals adds up to the electrolyte conduction in the pore spaces, thus generating high formation conductivity that overshadows the hydrocarbon effect. In each resistivity-based water saturation model, the key parameter is formation factor, F, which is typically derived from Archie’s Law. Referring to a log–log plot between formation factor and porosity, cementation factor reflects the slope of the straight line abiding Archie’s Law. In the case of shaly sandstone, derivation based on Archie’s Law in combination with Waxman–Smits equation leads to higher cementation factor, m*. In the shaly parts of the reservoir, high m* is counterbalanced by clay conductivity. Nonetheless, high m* used in clean parts increases Sw estimation. In this study, the variable cementation factor equation is introduced into the standard correlation of Sw versus Resistivity Index, RI, to develop a water saturation model with shaly sandstone parameters. Data retrieved from two fields that yielded mean arctangent absolute percentage error (MAAPE) were analysed to determine the difference between calculated and measured data within the 0.01–0.15 range for variable cementation factor method. The conventional method yielded maximum MAAPE at 0.46.

Regional Basin Play Analogue Evaluation Offshore Northwest Java Basin To Find New Opportunities in Matured Field

The Northwest Java Basin is a mature oil and gas basin that has been explored and developed for more than 50 years. Almost all of the conventional plays have been explored and produced. Therefore, discovering new play concepts that potentially have significant resources are very challenging. A comparison of the Sunda, Ardjuna and Jatibarang Sub-Basins that are within the Offshore Northwest Java Basin was carried out based on the original plays of each sub-basin. The results led to the new play analogue for one sub-basin to another. The workflow for the study is as follows: data integration, basin statistics, basin modelling, basin comparison, play inventory, current original play type, play analogue and then play-based map. There are two potential new plays in the offshore Northwest Java Basin namely: (1) Eocene Carbonate Play and (2) Fractured Basement Play. The opportunities of these new plays at the new structure need to be further explored and accelerated to achieve the development phase, apart from the ‘old’ plays. The evaluation study of the Sunda Sub-Basin (including the Yani Sub-Basin and North Seribu Trough), Ardjuna Sub-Basin and Jatibarang Sub-Basin has revealed new exploration plays which are the Cretaceous Fractured Basement play, Eocene Carbonate play, Pre-Rift Volcanoclastic play, Early Oligocene Alluvial Fan and Lacustrine Sandstone plays, Late Oligocene Deltaic Sandstone play, and Miocene Shaly Sandstone play.

Lithofacies Analysis and Qualitative Minerology of the Sediments of #3 Well in the Greater Ughelli Depobelt, Niger Delta Basin

The sediment of #3 Well of the Greater Ughelli Depobelt are represented by sand and shale intercalation. In this study, lithofacies analysis and X-ray diffraction technique were used to characterize the sediments from the well. The lithofacies analysis was based on the physical properties of the sediments encountered from the ditch cuttings. Five lithofacies types of mainly sandstone, clayey sandstone, shaly sandstone, sandy shale and shale and 53 lithofacies zones were identified from 15 ft to 11295 ft. The result of the X-ray diffraction analysis identified that the following clay minerals – kaolinite, illite/muscovite, sepiolite, chlorite, calcite, dolomite; with kaolinite in greater percentage. The non-clay minerals include quartz, pyrite, anatase, gypsum, plagioclase, microcline, jarosite, barite and fluorite; with quartz having the highest percentage. Therefore, due to the high percentage of kaolinite in #3 well, the pore filing kaolinite may have more effect on the reservoir quality than illite/muscovite, chlorite and sepiolite. By considering the physical properties, homogenous and heterogeneous nature of the #3 Well, it would be concluded that #3 Well has some prospect for petroleum and gas exploration.

A Revised Gassmann Fluid Replacement Model Based on Neutron-Density Logs in Shaly Sandstone Reservoirs

Summary Fluid-replacement modeling (FRM) is a fundamental step in rock physics scenario modeling. The results help to conduct forward modeling for prediction of seismic signatures. Further, the analysis of the results improves the accuracy of quantitative interpretation and leads to an updated reservoir characterization. While modeling for different possible reservoir pore fluid scenarios, the quality of the results largely depends on the accuracy of the FRM. Gassmann (1951)fluid-replacement modeling (GFRM) is one of the widely adopted methods across the oil and gas industry. However, the Gassmann method assumes the reservoir as clean sandstone with connected pores. This causes Gassmann fluid-replacement results to overestimate the fluid effect in shaly sandstones. This study uses neutron and density logs to correct the overestimated results in shaly sandstone reservoirs. Due to the nature of these recordings, both of these log readings have close dependencies on the presence of shale. When the logs are plotted in a justified scale, the differences between the logs provide an accurate measurement of shaliness within the reservoir. The study has formulated a weight factor using the logs, which has further been used to scale the overestimated Gassmann-modeled fluid effect. The results of the revised method are independent of type of clay presence and associated effective porosity. Moreover, the corrected FRM results from the revised Gassmann method shows good agreement with rock physical interpretation of shaly sandstone reservoirs.

Lithofacies characterization and quantitative mineralogical analysis of the sediments from Sahaiawei-1well in the northern Delta Depobelt of the Niger Delta Basin

The sediments of Sahaiawei-1 Well in the Northern Delta Depobelt are represented by sand and shale alternation. Lithofacies characterization and X-ray diffraction technique were used to characterize the sediments from the well in order to characterize the lithofacies, identify the minerals present, determine environment of deposition and identify potential zones for hydrocarbon exploitation. The lithofacies characterization was based on the textural properties, mineralogical composition, fossil content, homogeneity and heterogeneity of the lithofacies units of the well. The lithofacies analysis for Sahaiawei-1 Well identified four (4) lithofacies types of mainly sandstone, shaly sandstone, sandy shale and shale; and fourteen (14) lithofacies zones. The result of the X-ray diffraction analysis identified the following clay minerals – kaolinite, illite/muscovite, chlorite and sepiolite; carbonates and non-clay minerals. Therefore, due to the high percentage of kaolinite in Sahaiawei-1 Well (2% to 39.87%), it could be concluded that pore filing kaolinite may have more effect on the reservoir quality than the pore bridging illite and pore lining chlorite. Keywords: alternation, lithofacies, X-ray diffraction, reservoir, mineralogy

A New Model to Calculate Oil-Water Relative Permeability of Shaly Sandstone

Oil-water relative permeability curves are the basis of oil field development. In recent years, the calculation of oil-water relative permeability in sandstone reservoirs by resistivity logging data has received much attention from researchers. This article first analyzed the existing mathematical models of the relationship between relative permeability and resistivity and found that most of them are based on Archie formula, which assumes the reservoir is clean sandstone. However, in view of the fact that sandstone reservoir is commonly mixed with shale contents, this research, based on the dual water conductivity model, Poiseuille’s equation, Darcy’s law, and capillary bundle model, derived a mathematical model (DW relative permeability model) for shaly sandstone reservoir, which calculates the oil-water relative permeability with resistivity. To test and verify the DW relative permeability model, we designed and assembled a multifunctional core displacement apparatus. The experiment of core oil-water relative permeability and resistivity was designed to prove the effectiveness of the DW relative permeability model in shaly sandstone reservoirs. The results show that the modified Li model can well express the transformational relation between resistivity and relative permeability in sandstone reservoir with low clay content. Compared with the modified Li model and the Pairoys model, the DW relative permeability model is more helpful to collect better results of relative permeability in shaly sand. These findings will play a significant role in the calculation of oil-water relative permeability in reservoirs based on resistivity logging data and will provide important data and theory support to the shaly sandstone reservoir characterized oil field development.