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SPE 26436
Enhanced Reservoir Description: Using Core and Log Data
to Identify Hydraulic (Flow) Units and Predict Permeability in
Uncored Intervals/Wells
Jude O. Amaefule” and Mehmet Altunbay*, Core Laboratories; C)jebbarTiab*, U. of Oklahoma; David G Kersey
and Dare K. l(eelan”, Core Laboratories
“SPE Member
n
ik
Thie paper wae prepared for preaenlaoon al the 681hAnnual Techmcal Conference and ExhlbOion of the Soc,ety of Petroleum Engineers held in Houston. Texas, 3-6 October 1993.
Tms papar was aelecled for pree8ntaIion by m SPE Program Commmee foltowing review of Inlornratmn comamed in an abstract submmed by the author(s). Conlanta of the paper,
as preaanted, hava not been reviewed by tha &clely of Petroleum Engmeere and are subject to correction by tha author(s). The ma!ercel,ae presenled. does not necassarlly reflect
any position of the Society of Petroleum Engineere, tte off[cere, or membere. Papere presented at SPE meetinge are subject to publication review by Edltonal Commnteea of the Society
of Petroleum Englnaers, Permswon to copy is restricted to an abetracl of no! more than 300 worde. Illustrabonamay not ba copied. The abstract should contain conspicuous acknowledgment
of where and by whom the paper la presented. Write Llbranan, !3PE. P.O. Box 833836, Rlchardaon, TX 75083.3S36, U.S.A. Telex. 163245 SPEUT.
20!5
2 ENHANCED RESERVOIR DESCRIPTION: USING CORE AND LOG DATA TO SPE 26436
calculations, The key to enhanced rc.servesdetermination and normally distrihukxf pcwunctcrs dots not necessarily establish
improved productivity is not based on the use of empirical causaiit y. On [he classical plot, the relationship bctwccn
cordations, It is based on the establishment of causal pcrmcahility and porosity is not causal. Whereas porosity is
relationships among core-derived. microscopic pore-throat generally indcptmdcnt of griiin si?x, permeability is strongly
parameters and log-derived macroscopic attrihutcs. TIwse dcpcndcnt on grain sire. For example. in a reservoir. porosily and
theoretically correct rck+tionships can then be used as input permeability may. in general, be directly propotiional. Yet, in [he
variables to cafibratc logs for improved reservoir description. same reservoir. thcrw may be tiolh high and low permeability
zones with equal porosity values (F~g. 1). Therefore this
In this paper, a new, practical and theoretically sound traditional plot can not be u.scd rcliatrly to estimate accura[c
methodology is introduced to identify and characterize hydraulic permeability from porosity data. Several invcstigators5”7s8’9”10
units within mappable geologic units (facies). This methodology have noted the inadequacy of this classical approach and have
uses core data to develop an understanding of the complex proposed altcmativc models for relating porosity to permeability.
variations in pore geometry wi[hin different Iithofacics. Core data From the classical approach it can be concluded that for any given
provide information for various depositional and diagcnctic rock type, the different .porosity/permeabil ity relationships are
controls on pore geometry. Variations in pom geometrical evidence of the existence of different hydraulic units. ApparcnUy
attributes, in turn, define the existence of distinct zones (hydraulic ~s ] I had ~olnc to ~ similar conclusion about
several invcstigatms -0
units) with similar fluid-flow characteristics. A hydraulic (pore porosi[y/pcrmcai. ility rclinionships.
geometrical) unit is defined as the rcprwmative elementary
volume* (REV) “of total reservoir rock within which geolc]gical In this paper, a theoretically corrcc[, and fundirmcntally derived
and pctrophysical properties that affect f!uid flow are intcmidl y relationship tw[wecn porosity and pcrrmmhility is proposed. The
consistent and predictably different from properties of other rmk inffucncc of various geological (dcpositiomd and diagcnelic)
volumes.”2 vanablcs that control Iluid flow arc rcflcctcd in [hc proposed
mcthodrdogy.
Hydraulic units arc related to geologic facies distribution. but do
not necessarily coincide. with facies boundaries.3 Tbcrcfom.
hydraulic units may not be vertically contiguous. Hydraulic units Fundamental Theory
are often defined by (a) geological attributes of tcxtu~.
The hydrwlic quality of a rock is comrollcd by pore gcomelry.
mineralogy, sedimentary structures, bedding contacts and nature
This, in turn, is a fun,:tkrn of mineralogy (i.e.. type. abundance,
of permeahllity barriers and by (b) pctrrrphysical properties of
morphology and krcatio~ relative to pow throa[s) and texture (i.e.,
porosity, permeability and capillary pressure.
grain size. grain shape, sorting. and packing). Various
permutations of these gcolo.gicitl attributes often indicate the
Statement of the Problem cxistencc of ~lslincl rock uni~s wilh similar pore throa[ attribute:.
Determination of [hesc pore Ihroat,attributcs is ccrrmd to accurate
zoning of rc!crvoirs in[o units with similar hydraulic propcr(ics.
Classical Permeability-Porosity Relationships The mean hydraulic unit radius (rmh) conccpt12 is the kcy 10
Knowledge of permeability and pcrmetrhility distribution is unraveling the hydraulic units and rulating porosity, pcrmcahility
critical to effective reservoir description. Several authors4”5’6 and capillary rrcssurc.
have noted the importance of these parameters for planning and
implementation of completion strategies for successful
watcrflooding programs and for construction of rcprcsurtativc
Cross Scc[ional Area = Volume Open to Flow
simulation models for effcctivc reservoir management. rtl,lt = (2)
Wcl[cd Pcrimclcr Wcucd Surface Area ‘ “
Permeability and permeability disrrihmirm arc usually determined
from core data. However. most wells arc often not cored. As a
result, permeability is estimated in uncorvd sections/wells from
For a circular. cylindrical capillary [ubc.
permeability versus porosiiy relationships that am nftcn
developed from statistically insignificant data sets. In uncrrrcd
wells or zones, empirical pmrcability
derived porosity using Eq. 1.
is estimated from log- rm/1 = :’”””””’””””””””””””””””’’”””
‘3) ““’
206
SPE 26436 1.0. AMAEFULE, M. ALTUNBAY, D. TIAB, D.G. KERSEY AND D.K. KEELAN 3
The mean hydraulic radius (rmh) can bc related to the surface area
pcr unit grain volume (Sgv) and effcctivc porosity (Qc)as fOllOWS: RQI
‘zI= &,= ‘$, ““’’’’”””””””””””””””(1’)
‘g=~(i%)=i(
+)(s) Substituting lhcs: vanablcs into Eq. X and taking the logarithm of
Substituting Eq. 5 for rmh in Eq. 4, Kozeny and Carmen ohlaincd both sides results in
the following relationship
logRQI = k)g$z-! .logFz l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (12)
$: 1
k=
(1--$C)2 [1
2t%:r ““””’”””””””o”””””””””””
(6) On a log-log plot of RQ1 versus @t,uII samples with similar FZl
values will lie on a straight line n’ith unit slope. %mplcs with
diffcrcnl FZ1 values will lic on other pmdlcl Iincs. The value of
where k is in ymz and $Cis a fraction. the FZ1constant can hc determined from the intcrccpt of the unit-
slopc straight line at @z=1. Sun?p/esrhat lie on the same straight
The gcncralixcd form of the Kozeny-Carmen rclfl[irmship is given
line have similar pore throat attributes and, thereby, constitutea
hy Eq. 7.
hydraulic unit.
$: 1“
k= (7) Alternative relationships thirt yield FZ1 wrlucs similar to those
(1-0=12 ~,+?
[1 gv
..” ..”.”...””.””,””””
derived from Eq. 12 hiwc also been dcvclopcd from Eq. 7 as
follows.
where F~is the shape faclor (2 is fora circukrrcylindcr). The icrm
FS# has classically been refwrcd to as [hc Kenny constant. For If k (red), FZI (!..rm)and @c(fraction). then
ideal, uniform. and unconsolidated rocks, Carmen’4 and
3
Lcvcrctt16 computed the value of this term to be abou! 5.
However. Row and Brucc17 showed that this term (F,T2) could k =1014 (Fzf)~ e , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. (13)
(LO-) c
vary from 510 100 in ma} reservoir rocks.
If ORis dc[incd m
Many invcstigalorsz- }1 have attempted to calcuknc pcrmcahilily
from porosity by using Eq. 7. These attempts gcncrall y have not ~;
been successful duc to the uscof a constant value (typically 5) for . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (14)
F,# and the lack of consideration of Sg,2 in [hew compilations.
‘~= (l-oe)~” ““”’””
In reality, the Kozeny constant is a variable “constant.” which
varies bctwccn hydraulic units, but is constant within a given unit. [hen
The ismrc of [hc variability of the Kmcny constant is addressed in k=1014(FZ12) @~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. (15)
the following manner. Dividing both sides of Eq. 7 by porosity
($J and taking the squirre mm of bolh sides results in
Taking the logarithm of bo[h sides of Eq. 15 then results in
=0.0314 ; . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (9)
[ e
207
*
.
4 ENHANCED RESERVOIR DESCRJIWJON: USING CORE AND LOG DATATO SPE 26436
IDENTIFY HYDRAULIC (FLOW) UNITS AND PREDICT PERMEABILITY IN UNCOIWD INTERVALWWELLS
A log-log plot of (k/@) versus I$Z results in a straight line with a any given homogeneous population are approximmcly normally
slope of 2 and an intercept of $2 = 1 of 1014 (FZ!)2. As noted distributed. A probability plot of a unimodally and normally
earlier, all samples with similar FZI values &long to the same distributed variable often results in a straight line. In contrast, the
hydrauiic unit and will, therefore, lie on the same straight line. existence of multiple. homogeneous subgroups within a given
population often give rise to muhirnodrd distributions and thus
results in multiple straight lines on a probability plot.22
Geological Significance of FZI Determination of the specific number of hydraulic units is
Statistical tech~ques, based only on variations in permeability constrained by random errors in the porosity and permeability
have been used by previous investigators]9 to zone the reservoir data used to compute FZI. The magnitude of the random errors
into layers. The problem is that these approaches ignored can be estimated by the root mean square technique.23 Relative
geokrgical attributes that control reservoir zonation.20 random emors in FZI computed from &I. 21 were used to
establish the uncertainty envclo~s around FZI trend Iincs. All
The Flow Zone Indicator (FZI) is a unique parameter that samples with the coefficient of variance (2W2WFZI > 0.5) were
incorporates the geological attributes of texture and mineralogy in conside~d unreliable and therefore were not used in the hydraulic
the discrimination of distinct pore geometrical facies (hydraulic unit zonation process. The following parameters were used to
units). compute (AFZUFZ1)4n Eq. 21: (Ak./k = 0.2; A@.= 0.S% (if 0[ is
trwd instead of $., then A@= l%)).
Data*’ displayed on Figs. 2 and 3 dcmonswatc the exccllcrrt
correlation Lwtwcen SW (from capillary pressure). surface area 2
0.5
(from NMR). weight perecnt of grains with sizes less than 30 3-@ 2
‘Fy,’)
(— = *0.5 (:) ● (rQ) + (;) . .. (21)
microns (from wet sieve), and FZX. As expected, SW dwreased [ 1
with increasing FZI (Fig. 2). The relationship between SW,and
FZI cart be represented mathematically by the following
expression. Validation and Characterization of Hydraulic
Units: Case Histories
Confirmation of [he wdidi!y of !he proposed FZI Iechniquc for
identification of dislinct pore geometrical (hydraulic) units is
provided hy using a combination of the following technologicx
where a = 1.12. b = 0.5634. c = 1.44. and ? = 0.998. The
relationship between !$v W (weight percent grains less than 30 ● Mineralogical and textural characteristics of each unit as
microns) and FZI can be represented by the following equation: dctcrmincd from petrographic data (XRD, FTfR mineralogy,
thin-section photography and SEM)
x. ● RQI stress sensitivity
Y= Y,,jin+ (Ym=~-yfl,in) # . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (20)
● POX throat charac[cnziltion as determined from mercury
injection arrd/or centrifuge capillary pressure.
Values of Ymin. Ymw. and Xmin are summarized in Table 1.
The si?~ distribution of pore throat radii, dctcrmincd from
in gene~l, rocks containing authigcnic po~ lining. p~fe fi!iing,
capillary pressure data. provides an independent m~’hod to
and pore bridging clays as well as fine grained. poorly sorted
corroborate the hydraulic unit zonation. The ra[io of macro (r >
sands tend to exhibit high surface area and high tormosity. hence
1.5 pm) plus mcso (0.5Km c r c 1.5Hm) to micro (r <0.5 pm) is
low FZI (Table 3). In contrast, clean, coarse grained and well
an excellent dciincator of hydraulic units.
sorted sands exhibit Iower surface areas. lower shape factor. lower
tortuosity, and higher FZI values. In a related fashion. different Manipulation of Eqs. 3-7 yields the fundamcnud relationship
depositional envirorrmems and diagenetic processes control pore between FZI and the mean hydraulic radius (r~h):
geometry and FZI in carbonate rocks.
208
9
.
SPE26436 J.O. AMAEFULE, M. ALTUNBAY, D, TIAB, D,G. KERSEY AND D.K. KEELAN 5’
Fig. 5 provides the corroborative cvidcncc of the soundness of the South East Asia
fundamental theory as depicted by the straight line in [he ccntcr of Porosity-permeability data from a ckslic sequence from South
theplot ofrm~QZvcrsus FZL l%eslopc isthe productof ~$z. East Mb were suhjectcd to the hydraulic unitization process.
which is equal to 6.74. Fig. 10 shows the cxi.wcnce of distinc[ hydraulic units within the
cored interval as dctcrmincd from a log-log plot of RQI versus @z
Four typical examples from clastic sequences irr Texas, South
The different curves depicted on this figure indicate the FZI
America, South East Asia, and West Africa as well as two
average for each of the seven hydraulic units.
carbonate rock examples from West Texas and Canada are
presented to demonstrate the worldwide applicability of this Thin section pholomicrographs 24 of samplesfrom the various
proposed technique. units shown on Figs. 11 to 15 substantiate the effectiveness of the
proposed zonation process. Notice the effect of texture and
mineralogy on the pore geometrical quality of the different units,
Fieid Examples of Clastic Reservoirs For instance. comparison of Figs, 11A and 11B show the textural
and mineralogical similarity of hydraulic unit I taken from both
‘Ikavis Peak Formation, East Texas shallow and deep play samples, In contrast, hydraulic unit 2 (Fig.
12) is typified by a very fine to frnc graincd texture and a much
The first step in the verification of this hydraulic unit zonatirm
mclhod is to compare the. crossplot of the Iog of permeability higher clay corncnt ( If)%) than hydraulic unit 1 (5%). Hydraulic
versus porosity (Fig. 1). The log of pcrmeabili[y/porosity unit 3 (Fig. 13) from a deep play is characterized by a coarse
crossplot shows wide dispersion around the regression Iinc (e.g.. sihstonc to very fine graincd sandstone wilh a to[rrl clay conlcnt of
21%. while hydraulic uni! 4 (Fig. 14) is a medium grained
permeability varies up to four orders of magnitude for a given
porosity). The dispersion is decrwscd when depositional siltstone wi!h a highcrc)ay comcnl of 25%. The scvcmh (Fig. 15)
and worst unit is a argillaceous siltstonc with a total clay content
environments am supaimposcd onto the plot, Samples deposited
of 34T0.
in the fluvial environment (lower interval) have higher
permeability values forgiven porositics than samples deposited in
the delta plain environment (Fig. 1). Replacement of the general West Africa
regression line with regression lines for the upper and lower Fig. 16 shows the classical log k versus 1$plot for a typical data set
intervals reduces the dispersion. from the Niger Delta. seven distinct hydraulic units were
cstablistrcd within Ihc cored intcrwtl by utilizing the proposed
Plotting Ihc distribution of the major diagcnctic clays highlights
tcchniqr.w, As prtwiously ohscrvcd. the permeability-porosity
[he impac[ of diagcncsis on reservoir properties. Regardless of
rcla(ionship in the Niger Delta is also nonlinear and predictable
the depositional cnvironmcm, the highest permeability values arc
(Eq. 13). FZI ranged from 0.3 to WCII over 11 in these
associa:cd with kaolinite, intcrrnediatc pcrmcabilily values
dcpositionalldiagcnctic scqucnccs. The variability of FZI in the
correlate with chlorite, and the Iowcst permeability values
Niger Delta rocks appears to he bolh texturally and
correlate with illite.
mincmlogically controlled.
A log-log plot of RQl versus $Z for this data .sct(Fig. 6) shows [he
Fig. 17 documcnw the intrinsic pore geometrical chwactcristics
cxislcncc of six distincl hydraulic units within the cored interval.
and reflects lhc effect of geological irttlibutcs (Figs. 18A to 18C)
Each hydraulic unit is charactcriztd by a diffcrm average FZI
on hydraulic quolity. For cxampic. hydraulic unit 4 (FZI = 4.83),
value. Tbc influence of diagtmcsis has modified the original
which is a fine-graincd. moderately well-rounded and well-sorlcd
dcpositiorral parameters to give these multiple hydraulic units.
sand with a low clay con!crrt ( 19’okaolinite) (Fig. 18A). bird the
foilowing distribution of pore throat sizcx macro = 83%, meso =
South America 270, and micro = 1570. Irr contras~ a sample from hydraulic unit
Porosity and permeability data gcncratcd on a typical Sou[h 5 (FZI = 3.7). with a port.! throat sixfi distribution of macro = 68%.
American clastic reservoir rock were u.scd to compute RQI. Oz. mcso = 5%. and micro= 2770. is comprised of laminated. coarse
and FZI. A loglog plot of RQI versus @z(Fig. 7) shows five and fine graincd scqucnccs wi!h angukw, poorly sorted grains and
distinct hydraulic units within the corvd interval. These units an intcrmcdiatc clay content (570 kaolinite) (Fig. 18B). The worst
were discriminated by the previously discu.sscd statistical quality hydraulic tmit (!ZZI = 0.4), which is comprised of
techniques with the theoretical unit slope consmaint. laminated, tine graincd. WCII rounded, moderately sorted
sands[onc scqucnccs. had a high clay content (12% kaolinite and
Additionally. Fig. 8 shows the classical log k versus $ plot after chlorite) (Fig. 18C) and a pore throat size distribution of macro =
the zormtion prmxs. Tbc permeability response equations were 22, mcso = 29. and micro= 49%.
derived from Eq. 13. It is cviden[ from this plot that permeability
is a nonlinear function of porosity. texnrrc and mincridogy. The Porosi[y and pcrme~bility dora determined at muitiplc net
differences between the hydraulic UniLS was further vcriticd by overburden pressures were used to chirractcrii’~ the RQ1 smess
water-oil capillary pressure data and catirm exchwrgc capacity sensitivity of each hydritulic unit. RQI was correlated to net
(CEC) per unit pore volume (Qv). It is evident on Fig. 9 tha[ Qv ovcrhurdcn swcss(rr) by the following rckttionship::s
decreased with increasing FZI. thus manifcstirrg the effect of clay
mincrak on the rock’s hydraulic qualily.
209
* .
6 ENHANCED RESERVOIR DESCRIPTION: USING CORE AND LOG DATA TO SPE 26436
fs-cri successfully applied to rocks from the UK North Sca and South
Y =!%!! =EXP -b~* 1- EXP(-( —))]]
~ . ..(24) East Asia.
RQli [[
where b~= stress sensitively faCIOt’. oi = ini[ial stress used for RQ1i, Field Examples of Carbonate Reservoirs
and c = stress constant (2000-4000 psi).
The stress sensitivity factor (b,) was further coflelated tO FzL Canada
which was computed from porosity and permeability at inilial Fig. 20 show: Ihc diswihtstion of FZI wrlucs versus class intervals
stressconditions, to arrive at the following predictive relationship: for a Canadia~ carhonatc rock. The cxiskmcc of three distinct,
uniformly distributed families of k versus @(Fig. 2 I ) art quite
apparcm on the classical crossplot with mcdiarr FZI vislucs of 1.5.
nl
[1
B, (:-l) 6.8, and 12.5. This example clearly dcmonstraks the
0 applicability of [his tcchniquc to all rock types.
Y=b$=Al- . . . . . . . . . . . . . (25)
210
SPE26436 J.0, AMAEFULE, M. ALTUNBAY, D. TIAB, D.G. KERSEY AND D.K. KEELAN 7
Selection of the Wireline Data for the Derivation of The discrimination matrix crcawd from the control WCII(S) is used
I’Yansform Equations as a rcfcrencc SCI (a set of histograms t’or every log for each
hydraulic unit) for the ncighhoring uncorcd WCII(S)to dcucrminc
Environmentally corrcctcd wireline log data were sclcctcd Iwscd
the probability of having the same hydrirulic unit in a given
on their ability to reflect the pore space attributes such a.. clays
prediction window. This then forms the basis for the qualita[ivc
(tyfx, abundance, location, morphology), porv-throat geometry
predictions of hydraulic uniL$ in an uncorcd WCI1.
and cffcclive porosity. Individual wireline tool responses can not
be directly correlated with the pore-space/throal aurihutcs. Fig. 25 shows the output of a ciIse study using lhc proposed
Thcrvfore. a statistical evaluation of the correlation between technique on a Far East Asia WC1lin a typical logging trace wi[h
wireline data and pore-space/ihroa[ a[trihutcs is pcrfonncd for eight [racks. The hydraulic unit numbers smrting from Lhebest to
each case. Sciccred log data arc then usd as variables in a the worst are a..signcd 10the extreme righl [rack (track 8). In the
wansform equation to generate the permeability protilcs. first WCII, the interval from X420 to X5(H) feet was cored. Data
from X420-X472 were used to develop the hydraulic unit tracks
A set of environmentally-corrcctcd wireline logging tool
and regression models from wireiinc logs. Hydraulic units were
rc.sponscs(~. @$@t_j.@l),At, Rxo, RI) were rank-correlated to FZI
subsequently prcdictcd for the seclion X472 to X500 and
using Spcarman’s Rho Statistical Tcchniquc.2s
permeability dctcrmhrcd from the regression models for [hose
units. Wiihout hydraulic unitization, pcrmcahiii[y predicted from
Derivation of Regression Models for FZI and wireline logging tool response through the classical muhilincar
Permeability correlation tcchniquc shows significant deviations from actual
A matrix of known core (FZL RQI id k) ValUCS and measured vahres with;= .22 (Fig. 26). In contrast. pcrmcabilily
corresponding wireline log responses is crcatcd for each hydmulic prcdictcd from the mme logging tool responses after hydraulic
unit. A logarithmic frltcring of the data is performed 10norrnalii’c zonalion (Fig. 27) ex~ibits cxuclh!nt correlations (~> .999) with
Ihc dala distribution by calculating tfw logarithm of each varhhlc. the actual measured values in the cored intcrvcd. Fig. 28 comptrms
Then, a matrix of the logarithms of norrrmlind indcpcndurt the pcrrrwability prcdic[cd from the classical log permcahiiity vs.
variables and logarithm of the normali?cd dcpendcm variable porosity crossplot 10 pcrnmbility derived from logging 1001
(FZI. RQI or k) arc gcncratcd. Quadralic. multilincar, or iincar responses after hydraulic unitization using actual mcmurcd
modcls26 with modifications are then sclcctcd to form the basis permeability values in another interval. As is evident on this PIOL
for [hc transform equations. Tbc transformation matrix is the clmsical log Pcrmcabili(y versus porosity com?kition
standardized by subtracting the mean of each column from the undcrcs[imatcs permeability for k > 50 md in contrast to the
row variable it.self and dividing the rcsuh by the standard propo.wd hydraulic unit controlled Iog-derived Pcrrrwahilily.
deviation of that column.
In a .secmrd uncrnd ‘wcII. the proposed prc>ccsswirs uxd to
Transform equations for each hydmulic unit wwc dcriw.1 from predict lhc hydraulic unit prolih!s and to assign the regression
the models and assigned to !he cwrcsponding dcplh poinls hascd cquutions for Pcrnwmbility dwcrrninistion based on logging
on [hc hydraulic unit prolilc. piiramcwrs (Fig. 29). This hydrmlic unit process also hw been
successfully applied in the Norwrgiiin Notih Sea for pcrmcahility
prediction.zs More extensive lhcowticid dwwlopmcnts dealing
Qualitative Predictions of Hydraulic Units for the with cla..lic, corhmratc wrd naturally frticturvd mcrvoirs can be
Uncored Sections found in liitb.z’)
Qualitative predictions for the uncored sections of cauh WC}]arc
performed hy using”a prohfibilistic method with a deterministic
tool. The probabilistic method uxs rclatimrships implicii in the Conclusions
data to derive rcsulw. It does not require any assumption or A ntw. practical imd lhcorclicislly-ha.wd rechniquc hts hcwr
prcdclcrmincd equations. Results urc obtained by statistical dcvelopt!d to identify md chwaclw’i?.c uniL$ with similar pore
infcrcnccs. The deterministic [od Ihtrt complcmcms this throat gcomctriuisi isiwihutcs (hydfiiulk uniw). This hxhniquc has
methodology is the hydraulic u “izoticm process that has hem a wide variety of practicirl Iicld applications for both cored and
performed individually and indcpcndcntly on each WCII. uncomf wells. ‘tksc include:
Thcrcforc. although it .sccms like a wrwtrdiction in wrrns. the
deterministic approach (i.e.. lydrarrlic uniw protilc t)f the c[wcd * Improvctl prediction of pcrmcahilily ml pcrmc~hilily
.scctions) cnhmrccs the rcliafMity of the prixliclions of a distrihu[ions from wirclirw logs in partially cored/uncorcd
probahllistic mol. bccwr.sc it provides a rcliahic and in[ervals and adjactml wells
mathematically sound infermrcc dwubaw. Prohabililics arc
●
Imprmwd well-to-well rock propcriics corrckitions for
computed from cstimalcd distrihu!irms of each hydrmdic unit by
rcfmemcn! of pclrophysicid models
application of the Baycs Theorem.27 Level hy Ievcl, transition
matrices were crcatcd and solved to eslahlish a vertical ●
ForccwL$ reservoir rock quality (and forrmion damw?c
association Iretwccn hydraulic units. Details of the prohabilislic pottmtial) in partially cordluncored WC1lSfor improv;d
techniques am WCIIdodumcnlcd.27 complctirms and cnhwrccd recovery decisions
211
8 ENHANCED RESERVOIR DESCRIPTION: USING CORE AND LOG DATA TO SPE 26436
IDENTIFY HYDRAULIC (FLOW) UNITS AND PREDICT PERMEABILITY IN UNCORED INTERVALWWELLS
● Provides a unique parameter, the Flow Zone Indicator (FZI) 5. Sli!cs, J.H., Jr. and HuItllz, J.M.: “’TIM usc of Routine and
for delineating the number of Iaycrs (hydraulic units) Special Core Analysis in Characterizing Brent Group
required for assignment of geological and pewophysical Reservoirs. U.K. North Sea.” SPE 18388 (1988).
parameters in numerical simulators.
6. Chopra, A. K.. Swin. M.H. and Adur, J.C.: “Dcvclopmcnt of
The proposed hydraulic unit process has been successfully Reservoir Dcscripticm to Aid in Design of EOR Project;’
applied worldwide for both clastic (East Texas. South America, SPE 16370,prmemcd at the SPE California Regional
West Africa, South East Asia and Far East Asia) and carbonate meeting, Wn[ura. Californiir (1987),
(Canada and West Texas) rocks.
7. Dorfman, M. H.. N~wcy. J.J.. and Coa[cs, G. R.: “NCW
Techniques in Lithofacics Dctclminution and Pcrmrwbility
Nomenclature Prediction in Carbona[cs using Well Logs” (1990) 113-120,
in Geological Applications of Wireline Logs, A. Hurst, M .A.
stress sensitivity factor Lovell and A,C. ~orton, Eds., Geological Society Special
critical stress constant (2000-4000 psi)
Publication No, 48.
shape factor
Kozeny constant 8. Dubrule. 0. and Haldorsen. H. H.: “Geostatistics for
permeability (pm*) Pcrmcabilily Estimation,’” Reservoir Charac/erizatiorr, L.W.
pore throat radius (~m) Lake and H,B. Canwll, Jr. (tds.). Academic Press (1986)
mean hydraulic radius Qtm) 223.247.
Reservoir Quality Index (Km)
overburden stress (psi) 9, ‘llmur, A.: “An $nvcstigation of Permeability. Porosity and
initial overburden stress (psi) Residual Water Saturation Rclationships;” Trans. SPWLA
surface area per unit grain volume (~m’1 ) Ninth Annual Logging Symposium (1968) Paper K.
water saturation (fractional pore VOhUtICJ
irreducible water saturation (fractional pore volume) 10.Wcndt, W.A.. Sakurai. S. and Nelson, P.H.: “Pcrmeubility
effective porosity (fraction bulk volume) P[cdiction from Well Logs Using Multiple Regression,”
reduced porosity index Reservoir Charccterizarion, L.W. Lake and H.B.Carroll, Jr.
pore vohrme-to.grain volume ratio (tds.), Academic Press (1986) 181-221.
tortuosity
11.Slat[s, R.M. and Hopkins, G. L.: Scaling Geologic Rcsu-voir
Description to Engineering iWcds,” JPT. v. 42, No. 2
Acknowledgments (Fdwuary 1990) 202-211.
The authors thank Core Laboratories Division of Westcm Atlas 12. Bird, R.B.. Stcwwc, W.E. and Lightfoot. E.N.: Trunspm?
International for permission grarrted for the publication of this Phenotnena.Ncw York, Wiley ( 1960).
manuscript. Additional thanks are due to Cynthia Philipson for
technical editing and assistance in figure pmparatirm and to 13. Koizcny. J.: “Uhcr Kapillarc Lcitung dcs Wasscrs im Bodcn.
ShclIey Barnetl for dcdicatcd efforts in the preparation of this Sitr.ungsberichtc.” Royid Academy of Science, Vienna, Proe.
manuscript. Chss 1 (1927) V. 136,271-306.
1. Bear. J.: Dynamics of Fluids in PorousMedia, New York. 15. Lake, L. W.: Errhancrd Oil Recovery. Prcnticc Hall.
Elsevicr ( 1972). Englcworrd Cliffs, Ncw Jersey ( 1989).
2. Ebanks W.J.. Jr.: “Jntcgratcd Approach [o Reservoir 16. Levcrctl. M. C.: ‘“Cispillary Behavior in Porous Solids;
Description for Engineering Projec~V (abstract only) AAM Petroleum Tcchnrrlogy. T. P. 1223(1940) 152-169.
Abstract Flow Unit Concept.
17. Rose. W. and Bruce, W.A.: ‘“Evaluation of Capillary
3. Heam, C. L.. Ebanks. W.J., Tyr!, R.S. and Ranganathan. V.: Character in Pclrolcurn Reservoir Rock.” Pcwolcum
“Geological Factors Influencing Reservoir Performance of Transactions. AIME (1949) 127-142.
the Haflzog Draw Field. Wyoming,” JPT v. 36 No. 9 (August
1984) 1335-1344. 18. Chor)ra, A. K.: “Reservoir Dcscriplions Via Pulse.” SPE
175;8 Int’1 Meeting on Pctrolcurn En.ginccring. Tlanjin,
4. Shirer, J.A., Lrmgston. E.P., and Strong. R.B.: “Application China (1988) 171-87.
of Field-Wide Conventional Coring in the Jay-Lhtle
Escambia Creek Unit; lPT(December 1978) 1774-1780. 194 Twerman. J.D.: “A Slalistical Reservoir-Zonation Tech-
nique;’ JPT (August 1962) 889-893; Trans.. AIME.
212
SPE26436 J.O. AMAEFULE, M. ALTUNBAY, D. TIAB, D.G. KERSEY AND D.K. KEELAN
20. Wcbcr’, K.J,and van Gums, L.C.: “Framework for ‘Ibble 1. Relationship between Surface
Constructing Clastic Reservoir Simulation Mosicls.” JPT v. Area, Weight Percent
42 No. 10 (October, 1990) 1248-1253 and 1296-1297. Grains e 30K and FZ121
,
21. Z.emanek, J.: “Low-Rcsistivity
I
Hydrocarbon-Bcm’ing Sand
RescrvoirsV SPE 15713, SPE Middle East Oil Sho!V (1987)
185-97/SPEFE (~CC. 1989) 515-21.
Parameter
ISurface Area
(NMR)
Weight %
(WetSieve)
Y sgv w
22. Taylor. J.K.: Statistical Techniquesfor Data Analysis. Lewis Y max 153.50 m2/g 19.79%
Publishers, Inc.. Michigmr (1990).
Y~in 16.92 m~lg 13.68
23. Amaefulc, J.O..
iind D.K.Keclan: “Stochastic Approach to
X~i” O.10pm 0.80 #im
Computation of Uncertainties in Pc(rophysical Properties;’
~2 0.995
SCA Paper 8907 (1989) 1-28. 0.95
1 6436 7.9 21.87 0.522 6.090 faintly mottlc& small anhydrhe patches
2 6390 8.8 6.38 0.267 2.774 faintiy mottled; small to huge anhydnte patches: faintIy to moderately Iaminawd
3 6417 10.1 2.23 0.148 1.313 mottled to m~ive: small anhydrile patches: faint allochcm ghos~
4 6491 10.4 1.43 0.116 I .005 massive to faintly laminated; bird’s eye anhydnte: fine stylolitcs
5 6454 8.3 0.37 0.066 0,732 massive to faintly mottled: small anhydritc patches: common allochem ghos~
6 6621 19.4 0.76 0.062 0.258 massive to faintly mottled; small anhydrhc patche~ faint allochem ghosts; healed fractures
213
10 ENHANCED RESERVOIR DESCRWTION: USING CORE AND LOG DATATO SPE 26436
IDENTIFY HYDRAULIC (FLOW) UNITS AND PREDICT PERMEABILITY IN UNCORED INTERVALSAVELLS
‘thhla
.“”.=
A.
w. Slbmmoti.
u.”r-.. -.. s. M“nrhd
‘. . . . . . .
fnr
---
m W@ct
“ . ..=.
‘llwnc
---”-
Cmrtmnatp
-... . . . . . . .
Depth RQI Cements Crystal Size and Morphology Pore ~pes Other
HU
(ft)
1 6436 0.522 scattered sparry calcite tine-mcd. crystalline intcrcrystalline
small patches of anhydrite avg = 0,06 mm
subhedral to euhcdral
3 6417 0,148 patchy sparry calcite finely crystalline intercrystallinc common allochem ghosts
patchy anhydritc avg = 0.04 mm micmporosily
anhcdml to subhedral
4 6491 0.116 bird’s eye wrhydritc finely crystalline imcrcrystallirw allochcm molds
minor scattered sparry calcite avg = 0,05 mm possible pin-point
anhcdral to subhedral Vugs
5 6454 0.066 minor scattcrcd calcite& bimodal crystalline intercrystdlirw common dolomite-rcplaccd
anhydrite sim very finely and medium moldic microporosily allochcms
crystalline allochcm molds
avg = 0.007 and 0.014 mm
anhcdral to suhhcdral
6 6621 0.062 anhydrite-healed fractures very Iincly to fittcly crystalline intcrcryslallinc allochem molds
minor sparry calcite avg = 0.013 mm micmporosily minor allochem ghosts
anhcdral; minor euhedral
I et upper Interval
01
0.6
0.001 ~
@
IE!!!!5 ;Int;
●
0.4
0.2
Fig. 1. Plot of log permeability versus porosity (uppr and lower intervals). 0 0.5 i t.s 2 25
214
●
*
11
S?E 26436 J.O. AMAEFULE, M. ALTUNBAY, t). TIAB, D.G. KERSEY AND D,K. KEELAN
t4
0
vi
.-oh
I&
(Z)lqwluu Suoxlllu‘IOB
I L
4-----
.— —
T
“
. .
. @@-----
:
w u
A
12 ENHANCED RESERVOIR DESCRIPTION: USING CORE AND LOG DATA TO SPE 26436
IDENTIFY HYDRAULIC (FLOW) UNITS AND PREDICT PERMEABILITY IN UNCORED lNTERVALS~LLS
ai
i?
216
SPE26436 J.O. AMAEFULE, M. ALTUNBAY, D. TIAB, D.G, KERSEY AND D,K, KEELAN 13
! I I I I
I k 0
plu‘Mlqeauuad .=
L
217
I I 1
T
1 10 100 1000
PclPd
Fig.
19. SW versus nmmidizcd capillary Fig.
20. l%?]
versus class interval
pr&me fraction (Pc/Pd) (Canadian example).
(West African example).
lCWO .— —
a 10
Fig. 18B. Hydraulic Unit 5, laminated fine and
]
coarw graincd sandstorw.
Total Clay =5% —
(West African example)
c
z
n
g
m
u
0.<
9
Fig. 21. Crossplot of permeability versus Crossplo~ of permeability versus .
porosity (Canadian example). porosity for various hydraulic units
(V&s Texas example).
... . *
15
SPE 26436 J.O. AMAEFULE, M. ALTUNBAY, D. TIAB, D.G. KERSEY AND D.K. KEELAN
S& Wu ml.
J
.nJ Is,&’J.I.
I
I
.-.
..
@ . -
mow
“-’ ---- m
1 “+F:%”
~o,
.. ...!” “.
‘m
,mT&
0
-=-.*
“--- m
.-i%
*
c..
>...”,
-::”
%’.
M.!,
[ .~..—. _—!-
.“ ,,..,
0 .
1
& c—
—— .,!
7.1,K<.,rcd,nwwal, nt,, h) Jf..l8t ..N. # U“a.W>,o
u,, ng pr(qwml [<xhntquc
4
1
1
.. . . . ..csh.. ....
...
PWJKI hydtaultc untl pn,hlcs m
1
cord mtcrwW*ells u5mg
WCC! envm>nmcm.dly .,mm ICJ IW?I’W pr<,hahll,st,c mclhu 1$ cort%mmcd =,th
and ICIUI rc.p,nw% dclcnn,nm!K hydraul,c unit vanah(cs
I II I’--4l I
For each hydra.ht uml
Rank Lomclalc
(Y. VA
log~mp M
%) At. R,.. R,. ct~ )Wlrh ~ “Zi
wm.! SWarman”s RI{( )
wattwcal wc hmquc
fcw.w.
l.~. -
I
r
(mean. mcdmn. s[d dc.,ah., n)d .!1
4
lnggmg W’MIIICS and FZI 2
m
CMc.law Pm%abd,ly
I
‘#
L = llR4[FZ/)2-—
(1-ol~
Setup mama mdulnun m <,,rcd WII fut
[
w.here XI] = y. ON .0,> Al R... JOJ R,
c== \d,daw and map hydniultc untu
;’
!1
I
1
Fig.
23. Prcdictio~ of hydraulic units and pcrmcahili[y from core and
log dara.
*0000
1,14
low
*OO
001
0001
0 Ct 02 01 04
;. ..,..
Porowry. ff8cUon
i-----
Fig. 24. Crossplo[ of pernlcwhilily versus r-
(,
“ . . . ‘w .- -.’. .-
1 --J r---f-l n
I I I
.<
[w I t’ L.’ \/
A LJ
! /r kl’ 4 ““-t-ov I
.:::.L:: --s~——
. . .——
-. . —-- - —. .-. — ——
. .... . . . .——. ... -—. ~-+ —~ . . . .
..- ..- ..— —— .——.
~.--~ ...... . . -“”--” “—+-----”+ -+-” -“
i
E
o
.——.-———
.—. ~_—
\ ‘. . .
●
. . .
*
&-.-—_ ?:
,
‘k+ . . .. . . .. ..—-.-— ,+.—.
_....+ . .. .. ...—
(91UPout--P- (%.410
Uowuwu
*m) p- Pawnwd %
:“
----- ..+. —-..
1