Abbey Orenuga Id Leod

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Identiﬁcation of Lithofacies and Depositional Environment: Case study of Teger

Oil Field Niger Delta
Article · January 2017
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Identification of Lithofacies and Depositional Environment: Case study of Teger Oil Field
Niger Delta
By
Abbey Chukwuemeka Patrick*, Orenuga Israel Aboyemi**
ABSTRACT
Depositional environments are characterized by their sedimentary lithology, sedimentary
structures, paleocurrent patterns and fossils. Sedimentary facies are bodies of sediment that
originate simultaneously in adjacent depositional environments. Such environments can be
reconstructed using core data, well log information, and outcrops, and other available geologic
information. In a study of four oil wells, depositional environments were inferred from the gamma
ray log shapes identified on the gamma ray log motifs in combination with the density-neutron
trends principle and sonic log high or low spikes. The Multi-Regressive Graph-Based Clustering
approach was also used to compliment interpretations. The results obtained show that sand bodies
that display an aggradational stacking pattern may be inferred to be channel sand deposits,
regressive barrier bars, prograding delta deposits, and alluvial/ fluvial channel, or of
transgressive shelf sand. A combination of Multi Regression Graph –Based Clustering and well
log motifs has thus been shown to be a reliable tool in depositional environment reconstruction
and lithofacies prediction.
Key Words: Depositional environments, sedimentary facies, polarities, gamma ray
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The identification of depositional environments from well logs is based on the principle that well
log responses are related to changes in thickness, texture, grain size and lithology along the well
path. The variations in sedimentary rock response are due to reservoir heterogeneity. The
description of a rock in terms of its type, origin, and depositional environment is called a
Lithofacies description. This can be done by direct observation of the rocks or inferred from
analysis and interpretation of well log data. Determining lithofacies from well logs requires
calibration to known rocks (cores, samples, or outcrops). Understanding the rock facies is the only
way to reconstruct the paleogeography of a lithologic succession, rock sequence, which in turn
provides clues as to a potential reservoir quality and lateral extent1.
This work is focused on delineating the lithologic facies on well logs from the study area in order
to identify depositional environments. The logs employed include gamma ray, density, sonic,
neutron and photoelectric logs (Pef). Gamma ray log patterns such as the bell, the funnel and
* School of Art and Science, American university of Nigeria, Yola Nigeria

**
Department of Geosciences, University of Lagos Nigeria
1Crain Petrophysics Handbook
http://www.glossary.oilfield.slb.com/en/Terms.aspx?LookIn=term%20name&filter=PEF (2015)
Petroleum Technology Development Journal (ISSN 1595-9104): An International Journal; January 2017 - Vol. 7 No. 1 78
cylinder shapes indicate insight into the depositional environments. Also, the curve separation
(‘balloon shape’) associated with the over lay of the density and neutron porosity logs serves to
compliment the gamma ray principal shapes. The Pef log has the ability to measure the rock matrix
properties since fluids have a very low atomic number and have less influence on the measurement,
the mineralogy of the matrix can also be determined from the log1.
Multi Resolution Graph based Clustering (MRGC) approach is used to determine petrophysical
parameters from well logs in order to create a different resolution of the data. It takes in log suites
as associate and model logs to predict logs and electrofacies which characterize layers and
differentiate them from each other through its high resolution power. It is worth noting that
electrofacies are the set of log values which characterize a certain layer and permit it to be
distinguished from the underlying and overlying layers2. This is possible because the MRGC
method is a combination of artificial intelligence techniques and a hierarchical clustering method.
This method uses KRI and NI index parameters which distinguish it from conventional methods.
In this work it is used to generate facies which are classified according to their colours and the
density-neutron log signatures that is associated with a particular depositional environment to
name the facies and their corresponding fluid content in each mapped out depositional unit.
2.0 Geology of the Study Area
The Tertiary Niger Delta Province is situated in the Gulf of Guinea and extends throughout the
Niger Delta Province as defined by Klett et al. The Delta Province contains only one identified
petroleum system: which is referred to as the Tertiary Niger Delta the Akata – Agbada petroleum
system3, 4, 5. The delta formed at the site of a rift triple junction related to the opening of the
southern Atlantic starting in the Late Jurassic and continuing into the Cretaceous 6. After rifting
ceased, gravity tectonics became the primary deformational process. Shale mobility induced
internal deformation and occurred in response to two processes7. First, shale diapirs formed from
loading of poorly compacted, over-pressured, prodelta and delta-slope clays (Akata Formation) by
the higher density delta-front sands (Agbada Formation). Second, slope instability occurred due to
lack of lateral, basinward support for the undercompacted delta-slope clays (Akata Formation) as
shown in Figure 1. For any given depobelt, gravity tectonics were completed before deposition of
2 Serra, O. (1997). Well Logging and Reservoir Evaluation. Technip, Paris, ISBN 978-2-7108-0881-7, Drilling Data
Handbook, Edition Technip, Paris ISBN 2-2108-0756-4, 1999
3 Klett, T. R., Ahlbrandt, T. S., Schmoker, J. W. and Dolton, J. L. (1997). Ranking of the World’s Oil and Gas
Provinces by Known Petroleum Volumes: U.S Geological Survey Open-file Report. 97 – 463
4 Ekweozor, C. M. and Daukoru, E.M. (1994). Petroleum Source Bed Evaluation of Tertiary Niger Delta --reply:
American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, 68: 390-394.

5 Kulke, H. (1995). Nigeria Regional Petroleum Geology of the World Part II (Eds. Kulke, H): Africa, America,
Australlia and Antarctica: Berlin, Gebruder Borntraeger, 11:143-172.

6 Lehnar, P. and De Ruiter, P.A. (1977). Structural History of Atlantic Margin of Africa AAPG Bulletin, 16: 961 –
981.
Australia and Antarctica: Berlin, Gebruder Borntraeger, 11:143-172.
the Benin Formation and are expressed in complex structures, including shale diapirs, roll-over
anticlines, collapsed growth fault crests, back-to-back features, and steeply dipping, closely spaced
flank faults.8,9 These faults mostly offset different parts of the Agbada Formation and flatten into
detachment planes near the top of the Akata Formation.10
The delta proper began developing in the Eocene and has prograded southwestward, forming
depobelts (Figure 2) that represent the most active portion of the delta at each stage of its
development11. These depobelts form one of the largest regressive deltas in the world with an area
of some 300,000 km2 12, a sediment volume of 500,000 km3, 13, and a sediment thickness of over
10 km in the basin depocenter.14
Figure 1: Seismic section of Internal Gravity Tectonic on Sediments at the Distal Portion of the
Depobelt (Modified from Lehner and De Reuiter, 199715; Doust and Omatsola, 199016)
8 Evamy, B. D., Haremboure, J., kamerling, P., Knaap, W. A., Molloy, F. A., and Rowlaands, P. H. (1978).
Hydrocarbon Habit of Tertiary Niger Delta: America Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, 62:277-298
9 Xiao, H. and Suppe, J. (1992). Origin of rollover, AAPG Bulletin, 76: 509-529
10 Tuttle, M. L. W., Charpentier R. R. and Brownfield, M. E. (1999). The Niger Delta Petroleum System: Niger
Delta Province, Nigeria, Cameroun and Equatorial Guinea, Africa: USGS Open-File Report 99 - 50H.
11 Doust, H. and Omatsola, E. (1990). Niger Delta. In: Divergent and Passive Margin Basins (Eds. Edwards. P. A.
and Santogrossi, P.A.). The American Association of Petroleum Geologist, Tulsa, USA, 48:239-238.
Australlia and Antarctica: Berlin, Gebruder Borntraeger, 11:143-172.

13 Hospers, J. (1971). The Geology of Niger Delta. In the Geology of Easterm Atlantic Continental Margin, Edited
by Delany, F.M., Great Britain Institute of Geological Science Report, 70(16):121-142.

14 Kaplan, A., Lusser, C.U. and Norton, I.O. (1994). Tectonic Map of the World, panel 10: Tulsa, American
Association of Petroleum Geologists, 1:10,000,000.

15 Lehnar, P. and De Ruiter, P.A. (1977). Structural History of Atlantic Margin of Africa AAPG Bulletin, 16: 961 –
981.
Figure 2: Cartoon showing how the coastline of the Niger Delta has prograded since 35 Ma
(after Doust and Omatsola, 199017).
3.0 MATERIALS AND METHOD
Wireline logs from four wells (Wells 1, 2, 3, and 6 ) were available for this study. Wells 1, 2, 3
and 6 have density, neutron, gamma ray, and sonic logs; well 6 has the Pef log in addition.
The depositional environments were inferred from the curves associated with identified lithofacies
of gamma ray log (Figures 3 and 4), in combination with the density-neutron log trends principle
and sonic log high or low spikes. The idea of Serra 18 that the electrofacies from well logs correlate
18 Serra, O (1997). Well Logging and Reservoir Evaluation, Technip, Paris, ISBN 978-2-7108-0881-7, Drilling Data
Handbook, Edition Technip, Paris ISBN 2-2108-0756-4, 1999
well with the sedimentary facies from core analysis, and so electrofacies established from well
logs can be used directly to interpret paleoenvironments of well formations, was also employed.
The Multi Resolution Graph based Clustering function of a Facimage package geology software
was used to support the analysis and facilitate the interpretation. The MRGC method uses model
logs (sonic, gamma ray, density and neutron) and associated logs (Pef), as shown in Figures 5 and
6, to find a relationship between them to predict PEF and electrofacies logs, so the estimated logs
were propagated to the rest of the three wells 1, 2 and 3. Figure 7 shows the well locations in the
Teger field.
Figure 3: Gamma ray log shapes and depositional settings (adapted from Rider19)
19
Rider, M. H. (2002). The Geological Interpretation of Well Logs, Ride-French Consulting Ltd., Sutherland,
Scotland. 279.
Figure 4: Log shape classification (Serra and Sulpice 20)
MODEL LOG
Sonic log
Density log
Gamma ray log

PREDICTED LOG
Neutron log
TRAINING MRGC AND
ELECTROFACIES
ASSOCIATED LOG
Photoelectric factor log
Figure 5: The workflow of the Multi Resolution Graph based Clustering
20
Serra O and Sulpice, L(1975). Sedimentology analysis of shale –sand series from well logs. SPWLA 16thnn. Log
.symp. Trans. Paper W
Figure 6: The Multi Resolution Graph based Clustering sample
Figure: 7: Well Locations in the Teger Field
4.0 RESULT AND DISCUSSION
4.1 Results
Figure 8 shows the well correlation of sands C, D, E1, E2, F, and G in Wells 1, 2, 3, and 6. The
correlation displays the gamma ray log, Sp log, resistivity log and the generated electrofacies for
each well. Figures 4.2 to 4.7 show the delineated log motifs from the mapped sands.
Figure 8: Well correlation and log shape classification
4.2 Discussion
Sand C Unit
The thickness of Sand C is about 150 ft and the gamma ray log motif shows a blocky serrated
shape (Figure 9). This log motif is indicative of an aggradational pattern of deposition most likely
due to a steady energy of deposition and can be inferred as deposits of channels. Wells 3 and 6
show more pronounced serration compared to Wells 1 and 2 in sand C. This can be explained from
their locations in the base map of the field.
Three electrofacies were identified from the density-neutron log signature: which include: (a) The
negative polarity, where the density (Rhob) curve is to the left of the neutron (Nphi) curve,
indicating the presence of a sandy facies containing oil; (b) the positive polarity, where the density
(Rhob) curve is to the right of the neutron (Nphi) curve, indicative of the presence of clay/shale;
and (c) the neutral polarity, where the density (Rhob) curve overlies the neutron (Nphi) curve,
indicating sandy facies with water. When compared to the electrofacies generated by the MRGC,
it shows that the light blue facies represents sands containing oil, the yellow facies represents sands
containing water and the slightly brownish purple slicks of facies indicates shale/clay.
Figure 9: Sand C showing blocky serrated log motif.
Sand D Unit
Sand D has an average thickness of 50 ft across the wells and shows a funnel-shaped succession
which appears slightly serrated. The funnel-shaped log motif shown in Figure 10 indicates
coarsening or cleaning upwards of shallow sediments with increasing energy of deposition which
can be inferred as regressive barrier bars or prograding delta environment. The Teger field is
located an onshore field and this eliminates the possibility that the environment is a prograding
submarine fan. The MRGC in Sand D shows light green facies in Well 6 which indicates gas sands.
The density-neutron separation is also wider compared to the density-neutron curve separation of
the light blue facies also observed throughout the sand section which is indicative of sands
containing oil. The yellowish facies indicate sands containing water with density and neuron logs
tracking each other while the tiny slicks of light brown facies indicate shaly/clay with the density
(Rhob) curve tracking to the right of the neutron (Nphi) curve.
Figure 10: Sand D showing funnel-shaped succession.
Sand E Unit
Sand E unit is divided into two parts; the lower part (E1) represents a period of high energy
deposition while the upper part (E2) represents a period of lower energy deposition. The gamma-
ray log motif in Figure 11 shows a funnel shape (coarsening upwards or cleaning upwards) at the
lower part most likely indicating deposits of bars within a channel. Four MGRC electrofacies were
observed from Wells 1 and 6 which include deep blue and blue facies which represent negative
polarity where the density (Rhob) curve is to the left of the neutron (Nphi) curve and indicates the
presence of sandy facies containing oil; the yellow facies which represent neutral polarity where
the density (Rhob) curve overlies the neutron (Nphi) curve and indicates sandy facies containing
water; and brown facies representing positive polarity where the density (Rhob) curve is on the
right of the neutron (Nphi) curve which indicates the presence of clay/shale.
Figure 11: Sand E1 showing funnel-shaped succession.
The upper part, been E2 (Figure 12), shows a bell-shaped (fining upwards) profile which is likely
to be associated with alluvial/fluvial channel indicative of a transgressive shelf sand. The
electrofacies obtained from the MRGC reveals that Sand E2 is the same facies as in E1 plus the
addition of a new facies with violet color corresponding to an enhanced positive polarity separation
indicative of the presence of more clay/shale.
Figure 12: Sand E2 showing bell-shaped succession.
Sand F Unit
The thickness of Sand F, as shown in Figure 13, ranges from 100 to 110 ft. The sand body shows
a blocky, slightly serrated gamma ray log profile indicating an aggradational stacking pattern, and
probably deposited in a channel. This sand unit also exhibits the same behavior, on both the
MRGC and the density-neutron logs, as earlier described for other sand bodies.
Figure 13: Sand F showing blocky motif and serrated pattern serrated-shaped succession.
Sand G Unit
Sand G unit in Figure 14 exhibits a thin blocky gamma ray log motif with the average thickness in
the wells around 25 ft. It is likely to be a channel fill deposit. In Well 6 the MGRC indicates a
green facies with a wider negative polarity separation, where the density (Rhob) curve is to the left
of the neutron (Nphi) curve, indicating the presence of a sand facies containing gas. Wells 1, 2 and
3 indicate the presence of oil with a narrower negative polarity separation of their density-neutron
curves and, where the two logs track, water is indicated. This also corresponds to the earlier
discussed facies of MGRC having light blue and yellow facies respectively. The anomaly obtained
in some sections of Well 3 was due to the poor density log data.
Figure 14: Sand G showing blocky gamma ray motif.
5.0 CONCLUSION
The four wells used in this study were correlated and five sand bodies (Sand C, D, E, F, and G)
were distinguished out using their gamma ray logs. The gamma ray and SP log signatures were
analyzed and their identical signatures indicate that the sand bodies are devoid of radioactive
elements which can cause erroneous interpretation. The sand bodies C, F and G show a blocky
gamma ray log motif with C and F being serrated thus displaying an aggradational stacking pattern
that is inferred to be due to deposition as channel sands. Funnel-shaped successions noticed in
Sands D and E1 are due to coarsening or cleaning upwards of shallow sediments with increasing
energy of deposition which has been interpreted as regressive barrier bars or in a prograding delta
setting. The bell-shape gamma log motif, i.e. fining-upward pattern of E2 sand, is indicative of
fining upwards sequence which is likely to be due to deposition in an alluvial/fluvial channel that
is suggested to be transgressive shelf setting.
The electrofacies observed from the density-neutron log overlay of the sand bodies showed a
match with the colors of the facies that were seen in the MRGC track of the wells, with three facies
recognizable:
- The negative polarity, where the density (Rhob) curve is to the left of the neutron (Nphi)
curve, indicative of the presence of sandy facies with oil.
- positive polarity, where the density (Rhob) curve is on the right of the neutron (Nphi) curve,
indicative of the presence of clay/shale, and
- neutral polarity, where the density (Rhob) curve overlies the neutron (Nphi) curve,
indicating sandy facies with water.
When compared to the electrofacies generated from the MRGC, it shows that the light blue facies
represent oil sand, and the yellow facies represents water sand. The brownish purple facies indicate
the clay/shale facies with positive separation of density-neutron log. The fourth facies that was
observed in Sand D of Well 6 has a wider density-neutron negative separation which is
accompanied by a light green color facies on the MRGC, indicating it as gas sand.
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Identiﬁcation of Lithofacies and Depositional Environment: Case study of Teger

Article · January 2017

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

Abbey Chukwuemeka Patrick*, Orenuga Israel Aboyemi**

Key Words: Depositional environments, sedimentary facies, polarities, gamma ray

* School of Art and Science, American university of Nigeria, Yola Nigeria

2.0 Geology of the Study Area

American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, 68: 390-394.

Australlia and Antarctica: Berlin, Gebruder Borntraeger, 11:143-172.

Australia and Antarctica: Berlin, Gebruder Borntraeger, 11:143-172.

Australlia and Antarctica: Berlin, Gebruder Borntraeger, 11:143-172.

by Delany, F.M., Great Britain Institute of Geological Science Report, 70(16):121-142.

Association of Petroleum Geologists, 1:10,000,000.

3.0 MATERIALS AND METHOD

Handbook, Edition Technip, Paris ISBN 2-2108-0756-4, 1999

Gamma ray log

Photoelectric factor log

Figure 5: The workflow of the Multi Resolution Graph based Clustering

Figure: 7: Well Locations in the Teger Field

Figure 9: Sand C showing blocky serrated log motif.

Figure 11: Sand E1 showing funnel-shaped succession.

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