DHI evaluation by combining rock physics simulation and statistical techniques for fluid identification of Cambrian-to-Cretaceous clastic reservoirs in Pakistan

The use of seismic direct hydrocarbon indicators is very common in exploration and reservoir development to minimise exploration risk and to optimise the location of production wells. DHIs can be enhanced using AVO methods to calculate seismic attributes that approximate relative elastic properties. In this study, we analyse the sensitivity to pore fluid changes of a range of elastic properties by combining rock physics studies and statistical techniques and determine which provide the best basis for DHIs. Gassmann fluid substitution is applied to the well log data and various elastic properties are evaluated by measuring the degree of separation that they achieve between gas sands and wet sands. The method has been applied successfully to well log data from proven reservoirs in three different siliciclastic environments of Cambrian, Jurassic, and Cretaceous ages. We have quantified the sensitivity of various elastic properties such as acoustic and extended elastic (EEI) impedances, elastic moduli (K _sat and K _sat–μ), lambda–mu–rho method (λρ and μρ), P-to-S-wave velocity ratio (V _P/V _S), and Poisson’s ratio (σ) at fully gas/water saturation scenarios. The results are strongly dependent on the local geological settings and our modeling demonstrates that for Cambrian and Cretaceous reservoirs, K _sat–μ, EEI, V _P/V _S, and σ are more sensitive to pore fluids (gas/water). For the Jurassic reservoir, the sensitivity of all elastic and seismic properties to pore fluid reduces due to high overburden pressure and the resultant low porosity. Fluid indicators are evaluated using two metrics: a fluid indicator coefficient based on a Gaussian model and an overlap coefficient which makes no assumptions about a distribution model. This study will provide a potential way to identify gas sand zones in future exploration.     

A comprehensive study on the surface chemistry of particulate matter collected from Jeddah,Saudi Arabia

In this work, the X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) technique is utilized to analyze the surface chemical composition of particulate matter (PM) which was collected from various locations at Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The main elements found on the surface of PM are carbon (C), oxygen (O) and silicon (Si) with combined percentage of 89.4–94.9 while traces of nitrogen (N), calcium (Ca), aluminum (Al), sodium (Na), chlorine (Cl), manganese (Mg), and sulfur (S) were also present. The analyzed XPS chemical state of C, O and Si was further used to determine their bonding with other elements occurring over the surface of PM. Carbon was found in the form of carbides (18.86%), fluorides (2.39%) and carbonates (78.75%); oxygen was observed as oxides (21.05%) and hydroxides (73.42%) of other metals; and silicon was detected as silicones (12.16%), nitrides (82.53%) and silicates (5.25%). The particle size of a PM is also of great concern for health issues, and thus has been investigated by the Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM). The Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) was employed for cross verification of detected elements by XPS.     

Agent-based simulation for biogas power plant potential in Schwarzwald-Baar-Kreis,Germany: a step towards better economy

Over the past decade, political framework in the energy sector all over the world has provoked a strong focus on the production of renewable energies. The study focuses on agent-based modelling approach to identify the suitable and economical distribution of biogas power plants over time in the area of interest. For sufficient supply of biomass (silage maize) on a regional basis to run biogas power plants economically and smoothly, different thematic layers with defined rules for Agent Analyst used to simulate the future installations of power plants. In conjunction with ArcGIS, the Agent Analyst software generates simulations that prove the robustness of the model in finding the suitable location of power plants. The resultant location from the model is analysed in different aspects. The designed methodology could be implemented in other areas with minor edits as per requirement of the area.     

Facies Analysis, Sequence Stratigraphy and Diagenetic Studies of the Jurassic Carbonates of the Kohat Basin, Northwest Pakistan: Reservoir Implications

The present study deals with the depositional facies, diagenetic processes and sequence stratigraphy of the shallow marine carbonates of the Samana Suk Formation, Kohat Basin, in order to elucidate its reservoir quality. The Samana Suk Formation consists of thin to thick-bedded, oolitic, bioclastic, dolomitic and fractured limestone. Based on the integration of outcrop, petrographic and biofacies analyses, the unit is thought to have been deposited on a gentle homoclinal ramp in peritidal, lagoonal and carbonate shoal settings. Frequent variations in microfacies based sea-level curve have revealed seven Transgressive Systems Tracts (TSTs) and six Regressive Systems Tracts (RSTs). The unit has undergone various stages of diagenetic processes, including mechanical and chemical compaction, cementation, micritization, dissolution and dolomitization. The petrographic analyses show the evolution of porosity in various depositional and diagenetic phases. The fenestral porosity was mainly developed in peritidal carbonates during deposition, while the burial dissolution and diagenetic dolomitization have greatly enhanced the reservoir potential of the rock unit, as is further confirmed by the plug porosity and permeability analyses. The porosities and permeabilities were higher in shoal facies deposited in TSTs, as compared to lagoonal and peritidal facies, except for the dolomite in mudstone, deposited during RSTs. Hence good, moderate and poor reservoir potential is suggested for shoal, lagoonal and peritidal facies, respectively.     

Middle Permian Mixed Siliciclastic-Carbonate System on the Northwestern Margin of the Indian Plate, Pakistan: Implications for Paleoclimate and Carbonate Platform Evolution

A mixed siliciclastic-carbonate system that responds to changes in Permian climate and subsequent carbonate platform evolution is investigated using microscopic details of the Middle Permian Amb Formation(Fm.),in Saiyiduwali section,Khisor Range,northern Pakistan.Thin sections were made from rocks throughout the stratigraphic section of the Amb Fm.and analyzed with an emphasis on carbonate and clastic microfacies,and the latter interpreted within the existing chronostratigraphic framework.Outcrop observations reveal that the units comprise coarse-grained,channelized,ripplemarked,and burrowed sandstone and sandy,fossiliferous limestone with minor marls and shale intercalations,suggesting deposition in a subaqueous tide-dominated delta to beach barrier.Based on the determined seven microfacies coupled with outcrop observation,the Amb Fm.was deposited in a tide-influenced subaqueous delta to middle shelf environment under fluctuating sea level.The deposition of compositionally mature sandstone in the lower part of the formation suggests reworking of detritus from the rift shoulders and an adjacent source area with an ambient warm and humid climate.The stratal mixing of carbonates and compositionally mature siliciclastic units in the middle part suggest deposition under tectonic and climate-induced terrigenous and carbonate fluxes to the basin.Thus the deposition shows a perfect transition from clastic-dominated deltaic to pure carbonate platform settings as a result of warm climate and tectonics.This Middle Permian warming is confirmed by sea-level rise and the presence of a temperature-sensitive fusulinid fauna in association with photozoan-based ooids.Deposition of the Amb Fm.and establishment of a carbonate platform are envisaged to be associated with major rifting of northern Gondwana,which subsequently resulted in the development of a rift basin at the passive margin of the NW Indian Plate then in northern Pakistan.     

Preliminary investigation and dynamic analysis of a multiphase ice-rock avalanche on July 5, 2021, in the upper Naltar valley,Gilgit, Pakistan

Landslides - On July 5, 2021, a catastrophic rock avalanche hit an area in the upper Naltar valley, located in northwestern Gilgit, Pakistan. The 14 Mm3 rock mass flowed down the hillslope and...     

Un « point chaud » sous le système du Rift syrien : données pétrologiques complémentaires sur les enclaves du volcanisme récent

Ultrabasic xenoliths (pyroxenites, lherzolites, harzburgites) in recent (Neogene–Quaternary) volcanoes have been studied in three localities within Syria: Jubates (North), Mhailbeh (Center), Tel Thannoun (South). P–T conditions of mineral equilibration have been estimated by pyroxene thermometry (temperature) and maximum CO₂ density in primary inclusions (minimum pressure). Pyroxenites equilibrate at significantly higher conditions (T about 1200 °C, P>15 kbar) than lherzolites and harzburgites (900<T<1100 °C, P between 10 and 15 kbar). All are within the spinel lherzolite field, whereas Cretaceous xenoliths originate within the garnet lherzolite field. To cite this article: A. Bilal, F. Sheleh, C. R. Geoscience 336 (2004).     

Evaluation of Ordinary Least Square (OLS) and Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) for Water Quality Monitoring: A Case Study for the Estimation of Salinity

Landsat-5 Thematic Mapper (TM) dataset have been used to estimate salinity in the coastal area of Hong Kong. Four adjacent Landsat TM images were used in this study, which was atmospherically corrected using the Second Simulation of the Satellite Signal in the Solar Spectrum (6S) radiative transfer code. The atmospherically corrected images were further used to develop models for salinity using Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression and Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) based on in situ data of October 2009. Results show that the coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.42 between the OLS estimated and in situ measured salinity is much lower than that of the GWR model, which is two times higher (R² = 0.86). It indicates that the GWR model has more ability than the OLS regression model to predict salinity and show its spatial heterogeneity better. It was observed that the salinity was high in Deep Bay (north-western part of Hong Kong) which might be due to the industrial waste disposal, whereas the salinity was estimated to be constant (32 practical salinity units) towards the open sea.