Fluvial-aeolian interactions: Part II, ancient systems

An understanding of fluvial-aeolian deposition derived from modern case-examples in a previous study is applied to the Permian Cutler Formation and Cedar Mesa Sandstone on the Colorado Plateau. These formations supply an excellent three-dimensional exposure of intertonguing fluvial and aeolian strata. Four distinct facies associations form the bulk of the Cutler Formation and Cedar Mesa Sandstone: (1) aeolian dune deposits; (2) wet interdune deposits; (3) fluvial channel deposits; and (4) overbank-interdune deposits. In addition, two distinctive types of erosion surfaces are found within the Cutler Formation and Cedar Mesa Sandstone: pebble- to granule-rich erosion surfaces (aeolian deflation surfaces) and flood surfaces. Fluvial and aeolian intertonguing result in extensive tabular sheets of aeolian sandstone separated by flood surfaces and overbank-interdune deposits. Fluvial channels are associated with the deposits overlying flood surfaces and are incised into the underlying aeolian sandstones. Overbank-interdune deposits and wet interdune deposits cover flood surfaces and intertongue with overlying aeolian sandstones. The primary characteristics of ancient fluvial-aeolian deposition are overbank-interdune deposits and pronounced extensive erosion surfaces (flood surfaces), which are parallel to underlying fluvial sandstones and thus trend parallel to the palaeoslope and palaeohydrological gradient.     

Diagenesis in the Middle Jurassic Khatatba Formation sandstones in the Shoushan Basin,northern Western Desert,Egypt

The Middle Jurassic Khatatba Formation acts as a hydrocarbon reservoir in the subsurface in the Western Desert, Egypt. This study, which is based on core samples from two exploration boreholes, describes the lithological and diagenetic characteristics of the Khatatba Formation sandstones. The sandstones are fine‐ to coarse‐grained, moderately to well‐sorted quartz arenites, deposited in fluvial channels and in a shallow‐marine setting. Diagenetic components include mechanical and chemical compaction, cementation (calcite, clay minerals, quartz overgrowths, and a minor amount of pyrite), and dissolution of calcite cements and feldspar grains. The widespread occurrence of an early calcite cement suggests that the Khatatba sandstones lost a significant amount of primary porosity at an early stage of its diagenetic history. In addition to calcite, several different cements including kaolinite and syntaxial quartz overgrowth occur as pore‐filling and pore‐lining cements. Kaolinite (largely vermicular) fills pore spaces and causes reduction in the permeability of the reservoir. Based on framework grain–cement relationships, precipitation of the early calcite cement was either accompanied by or followed the development of part of the pore‐lining and pore‐filling cements. Secondary porosity development occurred due to partial to complete dissolution of early calcite cements and feldspar. Late kaolinite clay cement occurs due to dissolved feldspar and has an impact on the reservoir quality of the Khatatba sandstones. Open hydraulic fractures also generated significant secondary porosity in sandstone reservoirs, where both fractures and dissolution took place in multiple phases during late diagenetic stages. The diagenesis and sedimentary facies help control the reservoir quality of the Khatatba sandstones. Fluvial channel sandstones have the highest porosities and permeabilities, in part because of calcite cementation, which inhibited authigenic clays or was later dissolved, creating intergranular secondary porosity. Fluvial crevasse‐splay and marine sandstones have the lowest reservoir quality because of an abundance of depositional kaolinite matrix and pervasive, shallow‐burial calcite and quartz overgrowth cements, respectively. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

鄂尔多斯盆地东缘C-P煤系致密砂岩储层敏感性分析

鄂尔多斯盆地临兴地区上古生界致密砂岩储集层中矿物组成多样、孔隙结构复杂且黏土矿物含量高,直接影响储层改造和开发效果。文章基于X 衍射、铸体薄片、气测孔渗、压汞和敏感性实验,系统研究了储层敏感性及其影响因素。结果表明研究区砂岩中石英和岩屑含量高,长石含量较低,以岩屑砂岩、岩屑石英砂岩、长石岩屑砂岩和石英砂岩为主。黏土矿物主要为伊利石、高岭石、绿泥石以及伊/蒙混层;储层普遍低孔低渗,孔隙结构较差。速敏以太原组最强,山西组最弱,与伊利石+绿泥石含量正相关,高岭石含量负相关。水敏下石盒子组最强,太原组最弱,与伊/蒙混层含量正相关。盐敏与水敏有类似特点,与伊/蒙混层含量表现出正相关。酸敏山西组最强,下石盒子组最弱,与绿泥石和铁白云石矿物含量正相关。碱敏性山西组最强,太原组最弱,受长石、石英和高岭石含量影响。相关认识有助于指导研究区钻井、压裂等施工工艺选择和排采控制。     

陕甘宁盆地庆阳地区长8油层砂岩成岩作用及其对储层性质的影响

庆阳地区长8油层为湖泊三角洲前缘沉积。水下分流河道和河口砂坝组成的指状砂坝控制了水下三角洲沉积格局。砂岩主要由细砂和少量中砂组成,砂岩类型主要为细粒岩屑长石砂岩和长石岩屑砂岩。主要成岩矿物为绿泥石环边、方解石胶结物、石英和长石加大生长、伊利石、伊-蒙混层、钠长石和高岭石等。绿泥石环边的发育对原生粒间孔的保存起到有利的作用,对石英和长石加大起到抑制作用。烃类注入时储层埋深已较大,不利于孔隙保存。储层发育粒间孔隙、粒内溶孔、铸模孔隙、特大孔隙、裂缝孔隙和微孔隙等多种孔隙类型,其中以粒间孔隙最为发育。局部发育的特大孔隙和伸长状孔隙表明该区发生了一定规模的次生溶蚀作用。长8油层主要受埋藏作用的影响,成岩演化处于晚成岩A期。主要成岩相类型为绿泥石环边胶结成岩相、压实充填成岩相、压实压溶成岩相和碳酸盐胶结成岩相,不同成岩相类型决定了油气储层性质不同,绿泥石环边胶结成岩相构成了本区最好的储层类型。     

四川盆地须家河组砂岩储层中自生绿泥石的来源与成岩演化

由于在成岩过程中能有效抵抗上覆岩层的机械压实作用,抑制石英在颗粒表面成核的数量,自生绿泥石包膜对四川盆地须家河组砂岩储层的原生粒间孔的保存起到了重要的作用。须家河组早期自生绿泥石物质来源主要有同沉积的富铁沉积物的溶解、河流溶解铁的絮凝沉淀以及相邻泥岩压释水的贯入,主要以新生沉淀形式集中形成于同生期至早成岩早期。成岩中后期,由于下伏富Mg流体沿裂缝系统的持续进入,须2段的自生绿泥石的继续生长得到了充足的物质来源,其MgO的含量随地层深度明显增加,而须4段后期再生长现象不明显。该区自生绿泥石包膜对储层物性的影响通过绿泥石含量与参与孔隙度的关系以及孔隙度分布频率图可以得到较好的评估。从对储层的影响来说,自生绿泥石包膜存在一个最合适的厚度值,超过或低于这个值就会对储层造成负面影响而无法保护储层,该区此最适合的厚度值为5～10 μm。     

High‐resolution stratigraphic architecture and lithological heterogeneity within marginal aeolian reservoir analogues

Marginal aeolian successions contain different lithological units with variable geometries, dimensions and spatial distributions. Such variations may result in considerable heterogeneity within hydrocarbon reservoirs developed in successions of this type, which poses a high risk to their efficient development. Here, such heterogeneity is described and characterized at inter‐well (<1 km) scales using two well‐exposed outcrop analogues of ‘end member’ marginal aeolian deposits from the Permian Cedar Mesa Sandstone and Jurassic Page Sandstone of south‐central Utah, USA. The sedimentology and stratigraphic architecture of the Cedar Mesa Sandstone was studied in a 1·2 km² area in the Indian Creek region of southern Utah, where the interval consists of interbedded fluvial and aeolian deposits representative of a fluvial‐dominated erg margin. The Page Sandstone was studied in a 4·3 km² area near Escalante, close to the Utah‐Arizona border, where it consists of interbedded sabkha and aeolian deposits representative of a transitional‐marine erg margin. The three‐dimensional stratigraphic architectures of both reservoir analogues have been characterized, in order to establish the dimensions, geometries and connectivity of high‐permeability aeolian sandstones. Facies architecture of the aeolian‐sabkha deposits is characterized by laterally continuous aeolian sandstone layers of relatively uniform thickness that alternate with layers of heterolithic sabkha deposits. Aeolian sandstones are thus likely to form vertically unconnected but laterally widespread flow units in analogous reservoirs. Facies architecture in the aeolian‐fluvial deposits is more complex, because it contains alternating intervals of aeolian sandstone and fluvial heterolithic strata, both of which may be laterally discontinuous at the studied length‐scales. Aeolian sandstones encased by fluvial heterolithic strata may form small, isolated flow units in analogous reservoirs, although the limited continuity of fluvial heterolithic strata results in vertical connectivity between successive aeolian sandstones in other locations. These architectural templates may be used to condition zonation schemes in models of marginal aeolian reservoirs.     

成岩作用对河流-三角洲相砂岩储层物性演化的影响--以延长油区上三叠统延长组长2砂岩为例

延长油区上三叠统长 2地层河流相-三角洲相砂岩储层的物性明显受埋藏-成岩作用事件的影响。埋藏压实作用是导致砂岩孔隙丧失的主要原因,造成的平均孔隙度丧失为 17.8%。其中黑云母的早期成岩蚀变是造成原生孔隙丧失的一个重要原因。胶结作用造成的平均孔隙度丧失为 7.1%。其中碳酸盐胶结物和次生石英加大是造成砂岩物性降低的主要胶结物。碎屑颗粒周围绿泥石薄膜的存在阻止了一部分石英次生加大及碳酸盐胶结物的沉淀,使一部分原生粒间孔隙得以保存。晚期成岩阶段有机质分解形成的酸性流体及表生成岩作用阶段的大气降水是形成次生孔隙的主要原因,从而使长 2砂岩的物性得到改善     

The Upper Jurassic (Kimmeridgian) fluvial–aeolian systems of the southern Neuquén Basin, Argentina

The Kimmeridgian Quebrada del Sapo Formation in the southernmost Neuquén Basin in Argentina represents a succession up to 40 m thick of coarse- to fine-grained fluvial deposits overlain by aeolian deposits. These fluvial–aeolian deposits reflect a significant palaeogeographic change in the basin and are related to a major, tectonically enhanced, relative sea-level fall. The fluvial section is dominated by braided-channel, fine-grained ephemeral, and sheetflood deposits. Aeolian facies are dominated by dune deposits, with minor sandsheet and interdune units. Changes in the nature of both fluvial and aeolian sedimentation within the studied area suggest a regional variability of accommodation/sediment supply conditions. The regional changes of the aeolian succession likely reflect different relative positions within a major erg. In the upwind margin of the erg, a shallow water table promoted water-lain sedimentation in interdune areas, whereas in the central parts of the erg, dry sediment accumulation took place above the regional water-table level. The vertical transition observed in the Quebrada del Sapo Formation, from fluvial to aeolian deposits, may be the result of a local climatic change to drier conditions due to the development of a climatic barrier imposed by growth of a magmatic arc to the west. Alternatively, the vertical transition could be related to a lowering of the water table associated with the compartmentalization of the basin during a period of low sea level.     

尼日尔Termit盆地上白垩统储层岩石学特征及控制因素分析

本文对尼日尔Termit盆地17口井218个井壁取芯样品开展普通薄片、阴极发光、X衍射、扫描电镜及重矿物分析,研究上白垩统储层的岩石学特征,并探讨其控制因素。实验分析结果表明,Termit盆地上白垩统储层的岩石类型主要为石英砂岩,成分成熟度高,以石英为主,含量达86%以上,钾长石、方解石及斜长石等含少量,占比约5%,这种岩石类型对原生孔隙的保存比较有利;填隙物主要为粘土杂基,含量为7%左右,矿物成分以高岭石为主,利于对晶间孔的保留;岩石中发育硅质、方解石和铁质等胶结类型,胶结物的含量占比较小,对储层的破坏作用不大;重矿物类型为磁铁矿、赤铁矿、锆石、磷灰石,推测物源区的母岩类型主要为花岗岩;以细粒结构和少量的不等粒结构为主,分选中等-差,磨圆度一般为次棱角-次圆状,磨圆差。与国内石英砂岩沉积于高能的滨浅海环境不同,研究区石英砂岩成分成熟度高,但分选程度和磨圆度较低,一方面反映了物源区母岩富含石英,同时也反映了这种石英砂岩沉积于近源的河流-三角洲环境。影响研究区上白垩统储层物性的主要因素是岩石类型及成岩作用,由于储层的岩石类型为石英砂岩,压实作用对储层的破坏作用较一般岩石类型偏小。砂岩埋深小于2500m时,主要发育原生孔隙,面孔率大于15%。溶蚀作用对本区储层产生一定的影响,最常见的为长石的溶蚀,溶蚀作用形成粒内溶孔和粒间溶孔,还会扩大原生孔隙形成混合孔,改善了砂岩的储集性能。     

Aeolian stratification and facies association in desert sediments, Arran basin (Permian), Scotland

ABSTRACT Permian aeolian sediments on the island of Arran are divisible into dune (including draa) and interdune deposits. Both types display a distinctive and unusually wide variation in grain size. The dominant features of the dune deposits are grainfall lamination, sandflow lamination, and inverse graded lamination associated with ripple-form lamination and normal graded lamination. The flat-lying aeolian interdune deposits are characterised by granule and sand ripples, horizontal lamination in coarse sand and granules, plane bed lamination and inverse graded lamination. Associated structures include ripple-form lamination and deflation lags. Three types of trace fossil associated with completely bioturbated horizons occur in some low-angle dune and interdune deposits.
The aeolian facies interfinger with alluvial fan deposits giving rise to three recognizable facies belts. Marginal aeolian deposits are associated with fluvial conglomerates and are dominated by interdune deposits and occasionally very thin barchan deposits (set height 3-37 cm). Intermediate aeolian deposits are characterized by interbedded crescentic dune, small draa (dune set height 5 cm-4.5 m) and interdune deposits, and rare fluvial and lake sediments. Basinal aeolian deposits are dominated by draa deposits (dune set height 0.2-28 m) associated with rare interdune sediments. Transverse dunes and draas were moved by north-eastern palaeowinds towards the foot of the alluvial fans. The aeolian sediments were deposited in a fault-bounded desert basin.     

Characteristics and distribution of clay minerals and their effects on reservoir quality: Huagang Formation in the Xihu Sag,East China Sea Basin

Abstract

The characteristics and distribution of clay minerals and their effects on reservoir quality in the Huagang sandstones in the Xihu Sag, East China Sea Basin were studied by using X-ray diffraction, casting thin-sections, scanning electron microscopy, electron microprobe analysis, fluid inclusion analysis, constant-rate mercury injection and nuclear magnetic resonance. Clay minerals consist of kaolinite, chlorite, illite and illite–smectite mixed layer (I/S); kaolinite forms from dissolved feldspars, chlorite occurs as clay coatings that are transformed from clay precursors owing to the flocculation of suspended detrital clays or the crystallisation of pore fluids, and illite forms from the illitisation of detrital smectite, authigenic kaolinite and K-feldspars. Clay distribution is controlled by sedimentary environments, burial history and lithologies. Typical reservoirs in the western sub-sag are thin and developed in braided river facies at relatively shallow burial depths with clays dominated by kaolinite. However, typical reservoirs in the central inversion tectonic zone are thicker and developed in a braided delta front facies at deeper burial depths with clays mainly consisting of chlorite, illite and I/S. High-quality reservoirs are characterised by coarse granularity, high quartz content and low clay content with widespread development of chlorite coatings that inhibit quartz cements at low temperatures. At higher temperatures, the high-quality reservoirs develop more pores providing growth space for quartz cements and result in the coexistence of chlorite coatings and quartz cements. The high-quality reservoirs are controlled by their lithological characteristics rather than chlorite coatings. Illite and I/S clays create severe damage to reservoirs by reducing the size and connectivity of pore-throats.     

Characteristics of Tight Sandstone Reservoirs and Controls of Reservoir Quality: A Case Study of He 8 Sandstones in the Linxing Area,Eastern Ordos Basin,China

Determining the process of densification and tectonic evolution of tight sandstone can help to understand the distribution of reservoirs and find relatively high-permeability areas. Based on integrated approaches of thin section,scanning electron microscopy(SEM), cathode luminescence(CL), nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR), X-ray diffraction(XRD), N_2 porosity and permeability, micro-resistivity imaging log(MIL) and three-dimensional seismic data analysis, this work discussed the reservoir characteristics of the member 8 of the Permian Xiashihezi Formation(He 8 sandstones) in the Linxing area of eastern Ordos Basin, determined the factors affecting reservoir quality, and revealed the formation mechanism of relatively high-permeability areas. The results show that the He 8 sandstones in the Linxing area are mainly composed of feldspathic litharenites, and are typical tight sandstones(with porosity 10% and permeability 1 mD accounting for 80.3% of the total samples). Rapid burial is the main reason for reservoir densification, which resulted in61% loss of the primary porosity. In this process, quartz protected the original porosity by resisting compaction. The cementation(including carbonate, clay mineral and siliceous cementation) further densified the sandstone reservoirs,reducing the primary porosity with an average value of 28%. The calcite formed in the eodiagenesis occupied intergranular pores and affected the formation of the secondary pores by preventing the later fluid intrusion, and the Fe-calcite formed in the mesodiagenetic stage densified the sandstones further by filling the residual intergranular pores. The clay minerals show negative effects on reservoir quality, however, the chlorite coatings protected the original porosity by preventing the overgrowth of quartz. The dissolution of feldspars provides extensive intergranular pores which constitute the main pore type, and improves the reservoir quality. The tectonic movements play an important role in improving the reservoir quality.The current tectonic traces of the study area are mainly controlled by the Himalayan movement, and the high-permeability reservoirs are mainly distributed in the anticline areas. Additionally, the improvement degree(by tectonic movements) of reservoir quality is partly controlled by the original composition of the sandstones. Thus, the selection of potential tight gas well locations in the study area should be focused on the anticline areas with relatively good original reservoir quality. And the phenomena can be referenced for other fluvial tight sandstone basins worldwide.     

塔里木盆地巴楚—麦盖提地区泥盆系储层特征及影响因素

通过钻井岩芯、岩石薄片及铸体薄片观察,结合压汞分析等手段,分析了塔里木盆地巴楚—麦盖提地区泥盆系储层岩石学特征及物性演化特征。研究结果表明:泥盆系储层岩性以石英砂岩、岩屑石英砂岩为主。泥盆系东河塘组沉积环境为滨岸沉积,前滨滩砂物性最好,原生孔隙发育,属于特低孔特低渗储层;克孜尔塔格组为三角洲--潮坪沉积,以水上分流河道砂体物性最好,次生孔隙发育,属于特低孔特低渗--低孔低渗储层。储层砂体中压实作用、硅质胶结作用十分普遍,硅质胶结多以加大边形式存在;碳酸盐胶结在储层中相对发育,充填于岩石孔隙或交代其他碎屑颗粒,降低储层孔隙度与渗透率,表现为破坏性成岩作用;溶解作用对储层影响较大,有助于提高储层物性,表现为建设性成岩作用。     

彭阳油田延长组长3段砂岩储层质量控制因素研究

彭阳油田位于鄂尔多斯盆地西南部,其上三叠统延长组长3段砂岩已发现商业油流,但是对其储层砂岩质量控制因素仍然缺乏了解。本文根据钻井、测井、岩心观察、铸体薄片、扫描电镜与岩心物性资料,研究了长3段层序格架与沉积相、砂岩成分与成岩作用特征及其对长3段砂岩储层质量的影响。长3段砂岩为发育在高位体系域早期的具有加积-进积准层序组特征的小型辫状河三角洲平原分流河道沉积,砂体孤立而不连续,成岩环境流体循环不畅而相对封闭,不利于早成岩期酸性大气水的普遍淋滤。长3段砂岩以长石岩屑砂岩和岩屑砂岩为主。高岩屑和长石含量使砂岩在早期成岩压实中损失了大量粒间孔,高白云岩岩屑含量促进了埋藏成岩期间硬石膏与铁白云石的大量胶结,进一步减少了粒间孔隙。三角洲平原环境促进了早期成岩过程中颗粒蒙脱石包膜的形成,并在埋藏成岩过程中转换为绿泥石包膜或伊利石,尤其是绿泥石包膜抑制了石英增生,使粒间孔得以保存。早成岩期的酸性大气水与埋藏成岩期的有机酸对长石、云母或岩屑的溶蚀对砂岩储层质量的贡献相对有限。长3段砂岩孔隙以残余粒间孔为主,这暗示长3段砂岩在晚三叠世末期剥蚀与侏罗纪末期-新生代的抬升（降低了长3段压实程度）以及埋藏成岩过程中绿泥石颗粒包膜的形成是长3段砂岩孔隙保存的最重要因素。成岩作用促进了长3段孤立砂体的致密化,加剧了该砂岩储层预测难度。     

鄂尔多斯盆地镇泾区块延长组长8油层组砂岩储层特征

延长组长8 油层组是鄂尔多斯盆地镇泾区块的主力油层之一,岩性以岩屑长石砂岩和长石岩屑砂岩为主,为典型的 特低孔特低渗储层。储集空间以次生溶蚀粒间孔为主,喉道以缩颈型、片状和弯片状为主,孔喉结构发育3 种类型,以II 型为主。长8 砂岩储层特征主要受沉积作用、成岩作用、裂缝发育程度和油气充注4 个因素控制。最有利于储层发育的沉积 微相为水下分流河道,且中砂岩的储集物性好于细砂岩,富含石英、长石和变质岩岩屑的砂岩的储集物性好于火成岩岩屑、 沉积岩岩屑和云母含量高的砂岩。成岩作用对储集物性的影响具有双重性,建设性成岩作用包括溶解和孔隙衬里绿泥石胶 结作用2 种,两者均很发育的层段是油气储集的最有利地带;破坏性成岩作用主要包括机械压实作用和晚期亮晶方解石胶 结作用。裂缝以白垩纪末- 古近纪的构造裂缝为主,其使长8 储层渗透率急剧增大,储层非均值性增强。油气充注对储集 物性的影响主要表现为促进溶解作用的发生以及次生孔隙的形成和保存。     

Architecture and morphodynamics of a 1·6 Ga fluvial sandstone: Ellice Formation of Elu Basin,Arctic Canada

Precambrian fluvial deposits have been traditionally described as architecturally simple, forming shallow and wide braidplains with sheet‐like geometry. The varied architecture and morphodynamics of the 1·6 Ga Ellice Formation of Elu Basin, Nunavut, Canada, are examined from detailed studies of section and planform exposures along coastal platforms and stepped cliffs. The Ellice Formation overlies older Proterozoic sandstones and Archean crystalline rocks, recording sedimentation in fluvial, aeolian, coastal and nearshore‐marine environments. The fluvial deposits display palaeoflow towards the west/north‐west, while overlying shallow‐marine deposits record transgression towards the east/south‐east. The Ellice Formation displays dispersed palaeoflow at its base, and also at higher stratigraphic levels, where fluvial and aeolian deposits are associated. Elsewhere, mainly unimodal palaeoflow points to extensive low‐sinuosity fluvial deposition. Within the terrestrial deposits, fluvial, fluvial–aeolian and coastal architectural elements are recognized. Fluvial elements comprise cross‐bedded sandstone and minor conglomerate, exhibiting an overall fining‐upward trend with associated decrease in preservation, dimension and amalgamation of channel bodies. These motifs are interpreted to portray a shift in depositional environment from proximal trunk rivers to distal alluvial plains. Low‐sinuosity fluvial elements are the most common, and include major channel bodies, elongate side bars and mid‐channel bars with well‐developed scroll topography. High‐sinuosity channel‐bar complexes exhibit upbar‐flow rotation and yield evidence of bar expansion coupled with rotation and translation. Fluvial–aeolian elements are composed of aeolian dunes juxtaposed with isolated channel bodies and bank‐attached bars. Minor mixed fluvial–aeolian sheets record local deposition in unconfined settings (possibly floodbasins) or inter‐distributary highlands. Finally, coastal elements comprise small deltaic complexes composed of sand‐rich distributary‐channel bodies feeding heterolithic mouth bars. Overall, the sedimentary record of the Ellice Formation demonstrates an example from the Precambrian where alluvium was locally characterized by a higher geomorphic variability than previously recognized.     

Sequence stratigraphic controls on reservoir characterization and architecture: case study of the Messinian Abu Madi incised-valley fill, Egypt

Understanding sequence stratigraphy architecture in the incised-valley is a crucial step to understanding the effect of relative sea level changes on reservoir characterization and architecture. This paper presents a sequence stratigraphic framework of the incised-valley strata within the late Messinian Abu Madi Formation based on seismic and borehole data. Analysis of sand-body distribution reveals that fluvial channel sandstones in the Abu Madi Formation in the Baltim Fields, offshore Nile Delta, Egypt, are not randomly distributed but are predictable in their spatial and stratigraphic position. Elucidation of the distribution of sandstones in the Abu Madi incised-valley fill within a sequence stratigraphic framework allows a better understanding of their characterization and architecture during burial. Strata of the Abu Madi Formation are interpreted to comprise two sequences, which are the most complex stratigraphically; their deposits comprise a complex incised valley fill. The lower sequence (SQ1) consists of a thick incised valley-fill of a Lowstand Systems Tract (LST1)) overlain by a Transgressive Systems Tract (TST1) and Highstand Systems Tract (HST1). The upper sequence (SQ2) contains channel-fill and is interpreted as a LST2 which has a thin sandstone channel deposits. Above this, channel-fill sandstone and related strata with tidal influence delineates the base of TST2, which is overlain by a HST2. Gas reservoirs of the Abu Madi Formation (present-day depth ～3552 m), the Baltim Fields, Egypt, consist of fluvial lowstand systems tract (LST) sandstones deposited in an incised valley. LST sandstones have a wide range of porosity (15 to 28%) and permeability (1 to 5080mD), which reflect both depositional facies and diagenetic controls. This work demonstrates the value of constraining and evaluating the impact of sequence stratigraphic distribution on reservoir characterization and architecture in incised-valley deposits, and thus has an important impact on reservoir quality evolution in hydrocarbon exploration in such settings.     

Parameters controlling the quality of the Hamra Quartzite reservoir,southern Hassi Messaoud,Algeria: insights from a petrographic,geochemical, and provenance study

Petrographic and geochemical analysis of the Hamra Quartzite reservoir in the southern periphery of the Hassi Messaoud field has been undertaken. The aim is to identify the quality of these sandstones as well as their tectonic setting and possible provenance. Petrographic analysis reveals that the studied reservoir is constituted of fine- to coarse-grained sandstones in which quartz forms the principal framework mineral. The main cement phases identified in this reservoir are quartz, illite, and carbonate, precipitated in that order. The principal diagenetic factors controlling the reservoir quality are quartz overgrowths, formation of authigenic clays, and the precipitation of carbonate cement. The Hamra Quartzite reservoir is considered mature from a compositional point of view as it consists predominantly of quartz arenites. Geochemically, these sandstones have a high SiO₂ content (93.28–98.79 wt%). The Hamra Quartzite deposits appear to be derived from deeply weathered (under warm–humid climate conditions) granitic–gneissic terrains or recycled sedimentary source areas. A passive margin origin is the most likely tectonic setting for the depositional environment of these arenites. The reservoir quality is strongly influenced by the relationship between the clay content and mineralogy. The combined effect of quartz overgrowth and the plugging of pores by illite have reduced both porosity and permeability. As a result, economically viable oil production in this area will depend most strongly on the combination of matrix and fracture porosity.     

Origin and Distribution of Grain Dolostone Reservoirs in the Cambrian Longwangmiao Formation, Sichuan Basin, China

Dolostones in the Cambrian Longwangmiao Formation have become one of the most significant gas exploration domains in China. Over a trillion cubic meters of gas reservoirs have been discovered in the Gaoshiti-Moxi area; however, the origins and distribution of the dolostone reservoirs are not well understood. This work discussed the geology and geochemistry of the dolostone reservoirs in the Longwangmiao Formation to determine their origin and distribution. Two understandings are acquired: firstly, a carbonate ramp provided excellent conditions for grain beach deposition, while the presence of a hypersaline lake was favorable for the contemporaneous dolomitization of grain beach deposits. Petrographic and geochemical evidence further confirm that the Longwangmiao dolostone was formed during the contemporaneous stage. Secondly, the reservoir characteristics indicate that the grain beach sediments provide material basis for the development of the Longwangmiao dolostone reservoirs. Reservoir dissolution simulation experiments show that the porosity of the reservoirs was formed by dissolution during contemporaneous and burial stages. The dissolution pores formed during the contemporaneous stage were controlled by sequence interfaces. The large scale dissolution vugs formed during the burial stage subsequently spread along the pre-existing porosity and fracture zones. This study therefore identified that the development of grain dolostone reservoirs in a shallow water ramp under arid climatic conditions generally met the following conditions: (1) reefal beach deposits lay a foundation for reservoir development; (2) superficial conditions are an important determining factor for reservoir porosity; and (3) burial conditions provide environment for porosity preservation and modification.     

Aeolian dune‐field development in a water table‐controlled system: Skeiđarársandur,Southern Iceland

Aeolian dune fields characterized by partly vegetated bedforms undergoing active construction and with interdune depressions that lie at or close to the water table are widespread on Skei?arársandur, Southern Iceland. The largest aeolian dune complex on the sandur covers an area of 80 km² and is characterized by four distinct landform types: (i) spatially isolated aeolian dunes; (ii) extensive areas of damp and wet (flooded) interdune flat with small fluvial channels; (iii) small aeolian dune fields composed of assemblages of bedforms with simple morphologies and small, predominantly damp, interdune corridors; and (iv) larger aeolian dune fields composed of assemblages of complex bedforms floored by older aeolian dune deposits that are themselves raised above the level of the surrounding wet sandur plain. The morphology of each of these landform areas reflects a range of styles of interaction between aeolian dune, interdune and fluvial processes that operate coevally on the sandur surface. The geometry, scale, orientation and facies composition of sets of strata in the cores of the aeolian dunes, and their relationship to adjoining interdune strata, have been analysed to explain the temporal behaviour of the dunes in terms of their mode of initiation, construction, pattern of migration, style of accumulation and nature of preservation. Seasonal and longer‐term flooding‐induced changes in water table level have caused episodic expansion and contraction of the wet interdune ponds. Most of the dunes are currently undergoing active construction and migration and, although sediment availability is limited because of the high water table, substantial aeolian transport must occur, especially during winter months when the surface of the wet interdune ponds is frozen and sand can be blown across the sandur without being trapped by surface moisture. Bedforms within the larger dune fields have grown to a size whereby formerly damp interdune flats have been reduced to dry enclosed depressions and dry aeolian system accumulation via bedform climb is ongoing. Despite regional uplift of the proximal sandur surface in response to glacial retreat and unloading over the past century, sediment compaction‐induced subsidence of the distal sandur is progressively placing aeolian deposits below the water table and is enabling the accumulation of wet aeolian systems and increasing the likelihood of their long‐term preservation. Wet, dry and stabilizing aeolian system types all co‐exist on Skei?arársandur and the dunes are variously undergoing coeval construction, accumulation, bypass, stabilization and destruction as a result of interactions between localized factors.