Diagenetic evolution of the upper Cretaceous limestone and sandstone exhumed reservoirs in the western Basque–Cantabrian Basin,North Spain

The Basque–Cantabrian Basin (NE Spain) has been considered one of the most interesting areas for hydrocarbon exploration in the Iberian Peninsula since the 60th to 70th of last century. This basin is characterized by the presence of numerous outcrops of tar sands closely associated with fractures and Triassic diapirs. The aims of this work is to establish the diagenetic evolution of the Upper Cretaceous reservoir rocks with special emphasis in the emplacement of oil and their impact on reservoir quality. The studied rocks are constituted of carbonates and sandstones that contain massive quantities of bitumen filling vugs and fractures.Petrographic results indicate that the carbonate rocks from Maestu outcrops are bioclastic grainstones and wackestones, whereas the tar sandstones from Atauri and Loza outcrops are dominated by quartzarenites and subordinated subarkoses. The paragenetic sequence of the main diagenetic phases and processes include, pyrite, bladed and drusy calcite cement, calcite overgrowths, silicification of bioclasts and microcrystalline rhombic dolomite cement, and first stage of oil emplacement, blocky calcite cement, coarse crystalline calcite cement, calcitized dolomite, calcite veins, saddle dolomite and stylolites filled by the second phase of oil entrance. Together with the above mentioned diagenetic alterations, the arenites are affected by early kaolinitization of feldspars and the scarce formation of clay rim and epimatrix of illite. All sandstones and dolomitized carbonate rocks show high intercrystalline and intergranular porosity which is full by biodegraded hydrocarbons (solid bitumen). The biodegradation affects alkanes, isoprenoids and partially hopanes and steranes saturated hydrocarbons. Aromatics hydrocarbons, like naphthalenes, phenanthrenes, dibenzothiophenes and triaromatics are also affected by biodegradation. Results indicate that the first HC emplacement corresponds to early stage of calcite and dolomite cementation, and the second and more important emplacement is related to fracturation processes resulting in the formation of excellent reservoirs.     

Depositional and diagenetic controls on deeply-buried Eocene sublacustrine fan reservoirs in the Dongying Depression,Bohai Bay Basin,China

This paper investigates the reservoir potential of deeply-buried Eocene sublacustrine fan sandstones in the Bohai Bay Basin, China by evaluating the link between depositional lithofacies that controlled primary sediment compositions, and diagenetic processes that involved dissolution, precipitation and transformation of minerals. This petrographic, mineralogical, and geochemical study recognizes a complex diagenetic history which reflects both the depositional and burial history of the sandstones. Eogenetic alterations of the sandstones include: 1) mechanical compaction; and 2) partial to extensive non-ferroan carbonate and gypsum cementation. Typical mesogenetic alterations include: (1) dissolution of feldspar, non-ferroan carbonate cements, gypsum and anhydrite; (2) precipitation of quartz, kaolinite and ferroan carbonate cements; (3) transformation of smectite and kaolinite to illite and conversion of gypsum to anhydrite. This study demonstrates that: 1) depositional lithofacies critically influenced diagenesis, which resulted in good reservoir quality of the better-sorted, middle-fan, but poor reservoir quality in the inner- and outer-fan lithofacies; 2) formation of secondary porosity was spatially associated with other mineral reactions that caused precipitation of cements within sandstone reservoirs and did not greatly enhance reservoir quality; and 3) oil emplacement during early mesodiagenesis (temperatures > 70 °C) protected reservoirs from cementation and compaction.     

Controls on reservoir heterogeneity of tight sand oil reservoirs in Upper Triassic Yanchang Formation in Longdong Area,southwest Ordos Basin,China: Implications for reservoir quality prediction and oil accumulation

Compared to conventional reservoirs, pore structure and diagenetic alterations of unconventional tight sand oil reservoirs are highly heterogeneous. The Upper Triassic Yanchang Formation is a major tight-oil-bearing formation in the Ordos Basin, providing an opportunity to study the factors that control reservoir heterogeneity and the heterogeneity of oil accumulation in tight oil sandstones.The Chang 8 tight oil sandstone in the study area is comprised of fine-to medium-grained, moderately to well-sorted lithic arkose and feldspathic litharenite. The reservoir quality is extremely heterogeneous due to large heterogeneities in the depositional facies, pore structures and diagenetic alterations. Small throat size is believed to be responsible for the ultra-low permeability in tight oil reservoirs. Most reservoirs with good reservoir quality, larger pore-throat size, lower pore-throat radius ratio and well pore connectivity were deposited in high-energy environments, such as distributary channels and mouth bars. For a given depositional facies, reservoir quality varies with the bedding structures. Massive- or parallel-bedded sandstones are more favorable for the development of porosity and permeability sweet zones for oil charging and accumulation than cross-bedded sandstones.Authigenic chlorite rim cementation and dissolution of unstable detrital grains are two major diagenetic processes that preserve porosity and permeability sweet zones in oil-bearing intervals. Nevertheless, chlorite rims cannot effectively preserve porosity-permeability when the chlorite content is greater than a threshold value of 7%, and compaction played a minor role in porosity destruction in the situation. Intensive cementation of pore-lining chlorites significantly reduces reservoir permeability by obstructing the pore-throats and reducing their connectivity. Stratigraphically, sandstones within 1 m from adjacent sandstone-mudstone contacts are usually tightly cemented (carbonate cement > 10%) with low porosity and permeability (lower than 10% and 0.1 mD, respectively). The carbonate cement most likely originates from external sources, probably derived from the surrounding mudstone. Most late carbonate cements filled the previously dissolved intra-feldspar pores and the residual intergranular pores, and finally formed the tight reservoirs.The petrophysical properties significantly control the fluid flow capability and the oil charging/accumulation capability of the Chang 8 tight sandstones. Oil layers usually have oil saturation greater than 40%. A pore-throat radius of less than 0.4 μm is not effective for producible oil to flow, and the cut off of porosity and permeability for the net pay are 7% and 0.1 mD, respectively.     

Quantitative evaluation of the reservoir potential and controlling factors of semi-deep lacustrine tempestites in the Eocene Lijin Sag of the Bohai Bay Basin,East China

Ancient lacustrine storm-deposits that act as petroleum reservoirs are seldom reported. The Lijin Sag, which is located in the southeastern corner of the Bohai Bay Basin in East China, is a NE–SW trending Cenozoic half-graben basin. Some of its Eocene deposits (Bindong deposits) were interpreted as lacustrine tempestites. The Bindong tempestites, which developed in the lower part of the upper fourth member of the Shahejie Formation (Es4¹), constitute a new kind of petroleum reservoir and are novel petroleum exploration targets in the Bindong Area. However, the characteristics of the Es4¹ Bindong tempestite reservoirs and their controlling factors are poorly understood. Point-count analyses of thin sections, scanning electron microscope image analyses, X-ray diffractometry data, and the petrophysical parameters of the Bindong tempestite reservoirs were utilized to estimate the reservoir quality. The reservoirs have undergone significant diagenetic alteration, which can be divided into negative and positive aspects. The negative alteration includes compaction, authigenic minerals, and cementation such as carbonates, clay minerals and overgrowths of quartz and feldspar. The uneven distribution of carbonate cement increased the reservoir’s heterogeneity, with carbonate cement commonly precipitating along the sandstone-mudstone contacts. The primary porosity was severely reduced because of compaction and extensive carbonate cementation. Positive alteration includes dissolution, carbonate cementation, undercompaction and fractures. Carbonate cementation exhibited both positive and negative effects on the reservoir quality. Overall, the objective reservoir quality is quite poor. A quantitative evaluation of the reservoirs’ potential was conducted. The cutoff values of several of the reservoir’s parameters were calculated. The lower limits of the porosity and permeability are 8.35–5.85% and 1.2587–0.2753 × 10^–3 μm², respectively, depending on the depth. The upper limits of the carbonate and mud content are approximately 18.5% and 9–10%, respectively. A fundamental understanding of these characteristics will provide necessary information for extracting hydrocarbons from analogous subsurface reservoirs.     

Reservoir characteristics and their effects on hydrocarbon accumulation in lacustrine turbidites in the Jiyang Super-depression,Bohai Bay Basin,China

A great difference exists between the hydrocarbon charging characteristics of different Tertiary lacustrine turbidites in the Jiyang Super-depression of the Bohai Bay Basin, east China. Based on wireline log data, core observation and thin-section analyses, this study presents detailed reservoir property data and their controlling effects from several case studies and discusses the geological factors that govern the hydrocarbon accumulation in turbidite reservoirs. The lacustrine fluxoturbidite bodies investigated are typically distributed in an area of 0.5–10 km², with a thickness of 5–20 m. The sandstones of the Tertiary turbidites in the Jiyang Super-depression have been strongly altered diagenetically by mechanical compaction, cementation and mineral dissolution. The effect of compaction caused the porosity to decrease drastically with the burial depths, especially during the early diagenesis when the porosity was reduced by over 15%. The effect of cementation and mineral dissolution during the late-stage diagenesis is dominated by carbonate cementation in sandstones. High carbonate cement content is usually associated with low porosity and permeability. Carbonate dissolution (secondary porosity zone) and primary calcite dissolution is believed to be related to thermal maturation of organic matter and clay mineral reactions in the surrounding shales and mudstone. Two stages of carbonate cementation were identified: the precipitation from pore-water during sedimentation and secondary precipitation in sandstones from the organic acid-dissolved carbonate minerals from source rocks. Petrophysical properties have controlled hydrocarbon accumulation in turbidite sandstones: high porosity and permeability sandstones have high oil saturation and are excellent producing reservoirs. It is also noticed that interstitial matter content affects the oil-bearing property to some degree. There are three essential elements for high oil-bearing turbidite reservoirs: excellent pore types, low carbonate cement (<5%) and good petrophysical properties with average porosity >15% and average permeability >10 mD.     

东海陆架盆地西湖凹陷南部花港组砂岩储层成岩流体演化特征：来自岩石、矿物及同位素地球化学的约束

渐新世花港组是东海陆架盆地西湖凹陷发育的最主要储层,基于普通薄片、铸体薄片、扫描电镜和荧光显微观察,结合同位素地球化学对东海陆架盆地西湖凹陷花港组砂岩储层的成岩作用、成岩序列及成岩流体演化进行了研究。结果表明,花港组砂岩储层目前处于中成岩阶段B期,主要经历了机械压实、绿泥石粘土摸、酸性及碱性溶蚀作用,石英次生加大,碳酸盐胶结和自生高岭石胶结等成岩作用。研究区发育有三期碳酸盐胶结物,早期菱铁矿胶结物,中期铁方解石和晚期铁白云石。根据碳酸盐胶结物的碳氧同位素特征分析认为早期碳酸盐胶结物是由过饱和的碱性湖水沉淀造成的,而晚期碳酸盐胶结物的形成与有机酸密切相关。研究区存在两类溶蚀作用,酸性溶蚀作用和碱性溶蚀作用,早期的酸性溶蚀作用主要是有机酸对长石、岩屑及早期碳酸盐胶结物的溶蚀,晚期的碱性溶蚀作用主要是发生于碱性环境下流体对石英及硅质胶结物的溶蚀。研究区发育有两期油气充注,早期发生于晚中新世,早期发生于晚中新世,早于中期碳酸盐胶结,晚于长石溶蚀和石英胶结充注,充注量较大,第四纪以来研究区发生了第二次充注,第二次充注发生于铁白云石胶结之后,此时储层已非常致密。     

High-resolution characterization and integrated study of a reservoir formation: the danian carbonate platform in the Aquitaine Basin (France)

This paper provides an example of an integrated multi-scale study of a carbonate reservoir. The Danian Lower R2 carbonate reservoir is located in the South of the Aquitaine Basin (France) and represents a potential underground gas storage site for Gaz de France. The Danian Lower R2 reservoir was deposited as a prograding carbonate platform bordered by a reef barrier. The effects of sedimentary and diagenetic events on the reservoir properties, particularly dolomitization, were evaluated. In this study, the reservoir quality has been assessed by seismic analyses at the basin scale, by log-analysis at the reservoir scale, by petrographic methods and by petrophysical tools at the pore-core scale.Two dolomitization stages, separated by a compaction event with associated fracturing and stylolites, have been identified. These diagenetic events have significantly improved the Lower R2 carbonate reservoir properties. It is demonstrated that the reservoir quality is mainly controlled by the pore-geometry, which is determined by various diagenetic processes. The permeability values of the reservoir range over 4 orders of magnitude, from 0.1 to 5600 mD and the porosity values range between 2 and 42%. Reservoir unit 4 (a karstic dolomite) shows the best reservoir properties with average porosity values ranging between 11.1% and 19.3% and an average permeability ranging between 379 and 766 mD. Reservoir unit 2 (a fine-grained limestone) shows the worst reservoir properties. The cementation factors range from 1.68 to 2.48. The dolomitic crystal carbonate texture (mainly units 3 and 4) shows the highest value of the cementation factor (1.98–2.48) and formation factor (9.54–36.97), which is due to its high degree of cementation. The saturation exponents vary between 1.2 and 3.4. Using these experimental electrical parameters and the resistivity laterolog tool we predicted the water saturation in the various reservoir units. The permeability was predicted by combining the formation factor with the micro-geometric characteristic length. The best fit is obtained with the Katz and Thompson's model and for a constant of 1/171.     

Quantitative analyses of porosity evolution in tight grainstones: A case study of the Triassic Feixianguan formation in the Jiannan gas field,Sichuan Basin,China

Tight grainstones, although widespread throughout the Lower Triassic Feixianguan Formation in the Sichuan Basin, have received little attention, in part, due to their lower porosity and greater heterogeneity relative to their dolostone counterparts. Based on data from cores and thin sections, as well as petrophysical properties, the Feixianguan grainstones, representing a major gas reservoir in the Jiannan gas field were systemically analysed to better understand porosity evolution in tight carbonates that have experienced original oil accumulation and subsequent thermal cracking during progressive burial. The grainstones were divided into two types according to whether pyrobitumen was present, and their porosity evolutions were quantitatively reconstructed. Taking 40% as the original porosity, the grainstones without pyrobitumen, which were ineffective palaeo-oil reservoirs, lost 21.94% and 3.13% of their porosities through marine and burial calcite cementation, respectively, and 13.34% by compaction, and have a current porosity of 1.59%, thus allowing them to serve as major present-day gas reservoirs. Comparatively, pyrobitumen-bearing grainstones, which were once palaeo-oil reservoirs, lost 23.96% and 2.36% of their porosities through marine and burial calcite cementation, respectively; 11.4% by compaction, and 1.44% by pyrobitumen and have a current porosity of 0.84%, thus making them ineffective gas reservoirs. This study provides a quantitative understanding of the close association between porosity evolution and reservoir effectiveness for the palaeo-oil charge and present-day gas accumulation with respect to diagenetic history, which is useful for the future exploration in tight gas limestone reservoirs.     

Quantitative impact of diagenesis on reservoir quality of the Triassic Chang 6 tight oil sandstones,Zhenjing area,Ordos Basin,China

The Upper Triassic Chang 6 sandstone, an important exploration target in the Ordos Basin, is a typical tight oil reservoir. Reservoir quality is a critical factor for tight oil exploration. Based on thin sections, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), stable isotopes, and fluid inclusions, the diagenetic processes and their impact on the reservoir quality of the Chang 6 sandstones in the Zhenjing area were quantitatively analysed. The initial porosity of the Chang 6 sandstones is 39.2%, as calculated from point counting and grain size analysis. Mechanical and chemical compaction are the dominant processes for the destruction of pore spaces, leading to a porosity reduction of 14.2%–20.2% during progressive burial. The porosity continually decreased from 4.3% to 12.4% due to carbonate cementation, quartz overgrowth and clay mineral precipitation. Diagenetic processes were influenced by grain size, sorting and mineral compositions. Evaluation of petrographic observations indicates that different extents of compaction and calcite cementation are responsible for the formation of high-porosity and low-porosity reservoirs. Secondary porosity formed due to the burial dissolution of feldspar, rock fragments and laumontite in the Chang 6 sandstones. However, in a relatively closed geochemical system, products of dissolution cannot be transported away over a long distance. As a result, they precipitated in nearby pores and pore throats. In addition, quantitative calculations showed that the dissolution and associated precipitation of products of dissolution were nearly balanced. Consequently, the total porosity of the Chang 6 sandstones increased slightly due to burial dissolution, but the permeability decreased significantly because of the occlusion of pore throats by the dissolution-associated precipitation of authigenic minerals. Therefore, the limited increase in net-porosity from dissolution, combined with intense compaction and cementation, account for the low permeability and strong heterogeneity in the Chang 6 sandstones in the Zhenjing area.     

Impact of sedimentology,diagenesis, and solid bitumen on the development of a tight gas grainstone reservoir in the Feixianguan Formation,Jiannan area,China: Implications for gas exploration in tight carbonate reservoirs

Tight gas grainstone reservoirs in the third member of the Feixianguan Formation, Jiannan area, evolved from a paleo-oil accumulation as evidenced from abundant solid reservoir bitumen. Porosity evolution of the grainstones was studied by evaluating relative influences of sedimentology, diagenesis, and solid bitumen formed during cracking of accumulated oils. Grainstones exhibited regional-distinct effectiveness for paleo-oil and present-gas accumulations during oil window and subsequent gas window diagenesis. In the southern zone where grainstones were not subjected to subaerial exposure and meteoric diagenesis in the early diagenetic stage, paleoporosity at the time of oil charge was mainly controlled by sedimentologic factors (e.g., grain size, sorting, and grain type), and paleo-oil reservoirs only occurred in the ooid-dominated grainstones with good sorting and coarse grain size. In contrast, in the northern zone meteoric diagenesis was responsible for paleoporosity preservation due to the early mineral stabilization of grains and meteoric calcite cementation, which caused grainstones greater resistance to compaction. Hence, most of the grainstones in the northern zone, regardless of textural variables, formed effective reservoirs for paleo-oil accumulation. As the oil cracked to gas with increasing depth and temperature during the late oil window and initial gas window, solid bitumen occluded reservoir pores to varying degrees and caused paleo-oil reservoirs to be significantly heterogeneous or completely ineffective for gas accumulation. In contrast, most grainstones that were once ineffective oil reservoirs transformed into effective gas reservoirs due to no or minor influence of solid bitumen precipitation. The model of reservoir transformation development of tight grainstones provides a plausible explanation for key observations concerning the diagenetic and distribution differences between paleo-oil and present-gas reservoirs. It is useful in predicting the distribution of potential reservoirs in carbonate strata in future exploration.     

Characterization of the Karababa-C reservoir in the South Karaku oilfield, southeast Turkey

The South Karaku oil field is located in southeast Turkey, and produces, from the Late Cretaceous Mardin Group, carbonate reservoirs consisting of the Karababa, Derdere, Sabunsuyu and Areban Formations. The Karababa Formation is divided into three members, of which the productive Karababa-C member, discussed here, is composed of shallow marine bioclastic mudstone to wackestone. It is affected by early to late diagenetic processes that caused modification of the original pore system by cementation, dissolution and fracturing. Two petrophysical-petrologic facies can be discriminated by principal component analysis, and linear, multiple and stepwise multiple regression analysis of petrophysical data. These correspond to vuggy-moldic porosity and microporosity dominated reservoirs.     

Impact of diagenesis on reservoir quality and heterogeneity of the Upper Triassic Chang 8 tight oil sandstones in the Zhenjing area,Ordos Basin,China

Reservoir quality and heterogeneity are critical risk factors in tight oil exploration. The integrated, analysis of the petrographic characteristics and the types and distribution of diagenetic alterations in the Chang 8 sandstones from the Zhenjing area using core, log, thin-section, SEM, petrophysical and stable isotopic data provides insight into the factors responsible for variations in porosity and permeability in tight sandstones. The results indicate that the Chang 8 sandstones mainly from subaqueous distributary channel facies are mostly moderately well to well sorted fine-grained feldspathic litharenites and lithic arkose. The sandstones have ultra-low permeabilities that are commonly less than 1 mD, a wide range of porosities from 0.3 to 18.1%, and two distinct porosity-permeability trends with a boundary of approximately 10% porosity. These petrophysical features are closely related to the types and distribution of the diagenetic alterations. Compaction is a regional porosity-reducing process that was responsible for a loss of more than half of the original porosity in nearly all of the samples. The wide range of porosity is attributed to variations in calcite cementation and chlorite coatings. The relatively high-porosity reservoirs formed due to preservation of the primary intergranular pores by chlorite coatings rather than burial dissolution; however, the chlorites also obstruct pore throats, which lead to the development of reservoirs with high porosity but low permeability. In contrast, calcite cementation is the dominant factor in the formation of low-porosity, ultra-low-permeability reservoirs by filling both the primary pores and the pore throats in the sandstones. The eogenetic calcites are commonly concentrated in tightly cemented concretions or layers adjacent to sandstone-mudstone contacts, while the mesogenetic calcites were deposited in all of the intervals and led to further heterogeneity. This study can be used as an analogue to understand the variations in the pathways of diagenetic evolution and their impacts on the reservoir quality and heterogeneity of sandstones and is useful for predicting the distribution of potential high-quality reservoirs in similar geological settings.     

Reservoir characterization of Scollard-age fluvial sandstones,Alberta foredeep

A detailed laboratory study of 53 sandstone samples from 23 outcrops and 156 conventional core samples from the Maastrichtian-Paleocene Scollard-age fluvial strata in the Western Canada foredeep was undertaken to investigate the reservoir characteristics and to determine the effect of diagenesis on reservoir quality. The sandstones are predominantly litharenites and sublitharenites, which accumulated in a variety of fluvial environments. The porosity of the sandstones is both syn-depositional and diagenetic in origin. Laboratory analyses indicate that porosity in sandstones from outcrop samples with less than 5% calcite cement averages 14%, with a mean permeability of 16 mD. In contrast, sandstones with greater than 5% calcite cement average 7.9% porosity, with a mean permeability of 6.17 mD. The core porosity averages 17% with 41 mD permeability. Cementation coupled with compaction had an important effect in the destruction of porosity after sedimentation and burial. The reservoir quality of sandstones is also severely reduced where the pore-lining clays are abundant (>15%). The potential of a sandstone to serve as a reservoir for producible hydrocarbons is strongly related to the sandstone’s diagenetic history. Three diagenetic stages are identified: eodiagenesis before effective burial, mesodiagenesis during burial, and telodiagenesis during exposure after burial. Eodiagenesis resulted in mechanical compaction, calcite cementation, kaolinite and smectite formation, and dissolution of chemically unstable grains. Mesodiagenesis resulted in chemical compaction, precipitation of calcite cement, quartz overgrowths, and the formation of authigenic clays such as chlorite, dickite, and illite. Finally, telodiagenesis seems to have had less effect on reservoir properties, even though it resulted in the precipitation of some kaolinite and the partial dissolution of feldspar.     

Sequence stratigraphy,sedimentary facies and reservoir quality of Es4s,southern slope of Dongying Depression,Bohai Bay Basin,East China

Thin-bedded beach-bar sandstone reservoirs are common in the Eocene Shahejie Formation (Es4s) of Niuzhuang Sag, along the southern gentle slope of the Dongying Depression. Here we report on the link between sequence stratigraphy, sedimentary facies and diagenetic effects on reservoir quality. Seismic data, wireline logs, core observations and analyses are used to interpret depositional settings and sequence stratigraphic framework. Petrographic study based on microscopic observation of optical, cathodoluminescence (CL), confocal laser scanning (LSCM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses were used to describe the fabric, texture, allogenic and authigenic mineralogy of these highly heterogeneous sandstone reservoirs. The Es4s interval is interpreted as third-order sequence, composed of a lowstand systems tract (LST), a transgressive systems tract (TST) and a highstand systems tract (HST). On the fourth order, twenty-nine parasequences and seven parasequence sets have been identified. Sand bodies were deposited mainly in the shoreface shallow lake beach-bar (clastic beach-bar), semi-deep lake (carbonate beach-bar) and the fluvial channels. The depositional and diagenetic heterogeneities were mainly due to the following factors: (1) fine grain size, poor sorting, and continuous thin inter-bedded mud layers with siltstone/fine-sandstone having argillaceous layers in regular intervals, (2) immature sediment composition, and (3) even with the dissolution of grains and several fractures, destruction of porosity by cementation and compaction. Secondary pores from feldspar dissolution are better developed in sandstones with increased cementation. Grain coating smectite clays preserved the primary porosity at places while dominating pore filling authigenic illite and illite/smectite clays reduced permeability with little impact on porosity. Due to the high degree of heterogeneity in the Es4s beach-bar interval, it is recognized as middle to low permeable reservoir. The aforementioned study reflects significant insight into the understanding of the properties of the beach-bar sands and valuable for the comprehensive reservoir characterization and overall reservoir bed quality.     

Flow simulation with reactive transport applied to carbonate rock diagenesis

Significant volumes of the known hydrocarbon reserves are found in carbonate rocks, many of these dolomitized. The spatial distribution of diagenesis on these rocks is one of the main challenges in oil reservoir modeling. Reactive transport models can be a powerful tool to understand the active diagenetic processes and their effects on the quality of these reservoirs. In this study it was used, for the first time, the CMG-GEM simulator to model diagenetic evolution of a carbonate sequence, subjected to compaction-driven and geothermal flow in a simulated period of 200 thousand years. It was simulated carbonate cementation, dolomitization and dissolution, with and without presence of faults. Among the analyzed variables, the volume of circulating fluid was the most important factor. For both mechanisms, flow simulated velocities obtained had magnitudes smaller than 10⁻⁶ m/day. Diagenesis was insignificant for these low speeds at simulated time interval. Only dolomitized facies presented relevant diagenesis in form of calcite dissolution and dolomite precipitation. Simulations with flow rates of 1 m/day revealed a considerable increase in observed diagenesis, especially in carbonate cementation and in porosity enhancement. Diagenesis was more pronounced in more permeable sediments, highlighting the role of fluid flow in diagenetic reactions. Relative dissolution was greatly reduced during simulations performed with absence of dolomite and dolomitization reactions. The presence of faults strongly influences spatial distribution of diagenesis, especially relatively to dissolution. More permeable facies were more dissolved near fault, decreasing with increasing distance. Low permeability facies, as mudstones, are not dissolved, even near fault. Spatial distribution of diagenesis would then be dependent mainly on the quality of original pore structure, of fault presence and mineral composition of rock.     

Petrological and geochemical constraints on diagenesis and deep burial dissolution of the Ordovician carbonate reservoirs in the Tazhong area,Tarim Basin,NW China

Deeply buried (4500–7000 m) Ordovician carbonate reservoirs in the Tazhong area, Tarim Basin, NW China show obvious heterogeneity with porosity from null in limestones and sweet dolostones to 27.8% in sour dolostones, from which economically important oils, sour gas and condensates are currently being produced. Petrographic features, C, O, Sr isotopes were determined, and fluid inclusions were analyzed on diagenetic calcite, dolomite and barite from Ordovician reservoirs to understand controls on the porosity distribution. Ordovician carbonate reservoirs in the Tazhong area are controlled mainly by initial sedimentary environments and eo-genetic and near-surface diagenetic processes. However, vugs and pores generated from eogenetic and telogenetic meteoric dissolution were observed to have partially been destroyed due to subsequent compaction, filling and cementation. In some locations or wells (especially ZG5-ZG7 Oilfield nearby ZG5 Fault), burial diagenesis (e.g. thermochemical sulfate reduction, TSR) probably played an important role in quality improvement towards high-quality reservoirs. C2 calcite and dolomite cements and barite have fluid inclusions homogenization temperatures (Ths) from 86 to 113 °C, from 96 to 128 °C and from 128 to 151 °C, respectively. We observed petrographically corroded edges of these high-temperature minerals with oil inclusions, indicating the dissolution must have occurred under deep-burial conditions. The occurrence of TSR within Ordovician carbonate reservoirs is supported by C3 calcite replacement of barite, and the association of sulfur species including pyrite, anhydrite or barite and elemental sulfur with hydrocarbon and ¹²C-rich (as low as −7.2‰ V-PDB) C3 calcite with elevated Ths (135–153 °C). The TSR may have induced burial dissolution of dolomite and thus probably improved porosity of the sour dolostones reservoirs at least in some locations. In contrast, no significant burial dissolution occurred in limestone reservoirs and non-TSR dolostone reservoirs. The deeply buried sour dolostone reservoirs may therefore be potential exploration targets in Tarim Basin or elsewhere in the world.     

渤海东部庙北地区沙一段储层特征及控制因素

钻井揭示庙北地区沙一段储层物性较差,该区是否发育优质储层直接影响着下一步的勘探决策。综合利用壁心、薄片、地震、钻井及分析化验等资料,分析储层特征和影响因素,探讨了优质储层分布,分析表明,庙北地区沙一段为低孔、低渗—特低渗储层,储集空间为粒间溶孔和粒内溶孔。碱性水体条件下的碳酸盐矿物强胶结、扇三角洲边缘相带和黏土矿物向伊利石的转化是导致储层物性差的主要因素,溶蚀作用是控制优质储层发育的决定因素。受沉积相带、溶蚀强度及异常高压等条件控制,同沉积断层下降盘的扇三角洲主河道区和水下隆起带上的碳酸盐岩浅滩为优质储层发育的有利区。研究成果对于该区油气勘探具有重要的参考意义。     

Influence of hydrocarbon injection on the compaction by pressure-solution of a carbonate rock: An experimental study under triaxial stresses

The preservation of good petrophysical properties (high porosity/high permeability) at great depth in carbonate rocks may lead to the existence of a deeply buried reservoir (DBR), a target of interest for the oil industry. One of the key processes controlling diagenesis of the burial environment is Pressure Solution Creep (PSC), an efficient compaction process responsible for the evolution of porosity and permeability in many carbonate reservoirs. In this experimental study, we examine the effect of i) the presence of oil in the pore space and ii) its timing of injection on the PSC process and the petrophysical properties of a carbonate rock. The experiments were performed using a flow-through high-pressure cell, allowing the simulation of the pressure/stresses and temperature conditions of a DBR. Multi-disciplinary data (mechanical, chemical, petrographical and petrophysical) demonstrate that, without oil in the pore space, the main diagenetic process is the PSC, a process reducing by three the initial porosity but having no influence on intrinsic water permeability. An early injection of oil prior to water circulation causes the inhibition of PSC by the coating of the grains, leading to the preservation of porosity. Conversely, a late injection of oil does not preserve initial porosity. The dataset obtained from these experiments show the importance of the timing of oil charging in a reservoir in the preservation of initial porosity at great depth by the inhibition of PSC. However, the coating of grains by hydrocarbons may also inhibit further diagenetic processes leading to a creation of secondary porosity at depth.     

Diagenetic history of tight sandstones and gas entrapment in the Yulin Gas Field in the central area of the Ordos Basin,China

The Ordos Basin is a large cratonic basin with an area of 250,000 km² in central China. Upper Paleozoic coals and shales serve as gas source rocks with peak generation and migration at the end of the early Cretaceous. Recent exploration has verified the huge gas potential in the “basin-centered gas accumulation system” (BCGAS). However, the mechanism for the gas accumulation is controversial. With an integrated approach of thin-section petrography, ultra-violet fluorescence microscopy, fluid inclusion microthermometry, Raman microspectrometry, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffractometry, we identified diagenetic trapping and evaluated the diagenetic history of sandstone reservoirs in the Yulin Gas Field in the central area, where structural, stratigraphic and/or sedimentary lithologic traps have not been found. It was revealed that three phases of diagenesis and hydrocarbon charging occurred, respectively, in the late Triassic, late Jurassic and at the end of the early Cretaceous. In the first two phases, acidic water entered the reservoir and caused dissolution and cementation, resulting in porosity increase. However, further subsidence and diagenesis, including compaction and cementation, markedly reduced the pore space. At the end of the early Cretaceous, the bulk of the gas migrated into the tight reservoirs, and the BCGAS trap was formed. In the updip portion of this system, cementation continued to occur due to low gas saturation and has provided effective seals to retain gas for a longer period of time than water block in the BCGAS. The mechanism for the gas entrapment was changed from water block by capillary pressure in the BCGAS to diagenetic sealing. The diagenetic seals in the updip portion of the sand body were formed after gas charging, which indicates that there is a large hydrocarbon exploration potential at the basin-centered area.     

桩海地区下古生界古潜山碳酸盐岩孔隙特征与空间组合规律

基于桩海地区下古生界碳酸盐岩古潜山储层的孔隙特征,分析了研究区不同潜山区块有效孔隙的空间组合特征,探讨了影响研究区下古生界孔隙类型及储层在空间上的组合特征的主控因素。下古生界碳酸盐岩古潜山以裂缝-扩溶缝-溶蚀孔洞为主,原生孔隙基本消失,具有储集意义的主要为次生孔隙。储层在空间上的组合形式主要包括非常发育的潜山内幕储层,且与风化壳储层不具有统一油水界面,深部溶蚀特征明显;太古界变质岩与下古生界碳酸盐岩之间往往具有统一的油水界面;许多下古生界古潜山带具有"上缝下洞"的储集空间特征等。孔隙的次生性及多样化的空间组合形式导致不同潜山区块储集能力的明显差异。多级不整合面古岩溶作用形成相时早期的溶蚀孔隙和潜山内幕储层;深埋藏溶蚀作用对碳酸盐岩先成孔隙的溶蚀改造和太古界与下古生界之间统一油水界面的形成具重要影响;新构造运动和埋藏期溶蚀作用相结合可合理解释研究区下古生界古潜山带"上缝下洞"的储集空间组合形式。