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Integrated Analysis of The-Low Resistivity Hydrocarbon Reservoir in the “S”

Field

Conference Paper · May 2016

DOI: 10.29118/IPA.0.16.436.SE

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 IPA16-436-SE

PROCEEDINGS, INDONESIAN PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION

Fortieth Annual Convention & Exhibition, May 2016

INTEGRATED ANALYSIS OF THE-LOW RESISTIVITY HYDROCARBON RESERVOIR IN

THE “S” FIELD

Rizky Teddy Audinno*

Ikhsansyah Putra Pratama*
Andry Halim*
Didit Putra Kusuma**

ABSTRACT characterized by ideal well log shapes. However, a

The “S” Field is mature oil field operated by “P”
Asset V. The Reservoir in this field, multi-layered
shaly-sands with depositional environment, is
deltaic-shallow marine during the Middle to Late
Miocene period. However, with the decrease in the
oil price, drilling of development wells is hard to
justify. Re-evaluation of logging data, especially the
low resistivity zone, is seen as the best strategy to
apply.
The “S” Field contains more than 200 wells. Oil Base
Mud was used starting from the middle of 2003
because clay has a sensitivity for swelling. The low
resistivity study in this paper determines clay mineral
and conductivity mineral through petrography
analysis, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and Scanning
Electron Microscope (SEM) on Side Well Coring
sampling, and also determines drilling mud
characteristics to identify low resistivity problems.
Based on XRD and SEM analysis, the presence of
clay minerals is dominated by kaolinite and some
illite. Petrography analysis shows the presence of
pyrite and siderite in small quantities. The main
problem is caused by reservoir characteristics and the
influence of drilling mud (lignosulfonate). These
characteristics are explained in full in this paper.
INTRODUCTION
number of potential pay zones with non-ideal log
shapes, including low resistivity reservoirs were
initially by-passed. However, even the low resistivity
reservoirs have good potential hydrocarbon reserves.
Now, while oil prices have decreased, new
development wells are hard to justify due to their
high cost. So, the best strategy is to re-evaluate the
logging data, mainly for the low resistivity pay zone.
This paper discusses the key factors of low resistivity
in some zones in the “S” Field. The zones have
hydrocarbon potential that would have been missed
by conventional analysis. The paper includes an
integrated analysis of well log, petrography, XRD
(X-Ray Diffraction), SEM (Scanning Electrone
Microscope), and mud characteristics.
METHODS
 Identification of low resistiviy zones from
existing wells in the “S” Field. (WELL - A and
WELL - B)
 Literature analysis from previous works related to
the Kutai Basin study and the occurrence of low
resistivity pay zones, including the reasons and
impact to reservoir.
 Log analysis in low resistivity productive zones
in the “S” Field.
 Mineralogy analysis from petrographic data.

The “S” Field is located in the South “S” district,  Clay minerals analysis from XRD data.
East Kutai regency, East Kalimantan province.
(Figure 1). It is approximately 300 km north-east of  Micro minerals analysis and pore system
Balikpapan. A total of more than 200 wells have characteristics from SEM data.
been drilled to date, including exploration wells,
 Mud characteristic is used in several wells.
production wells, and injection wells.
GEOLOGICAL SUMMARY
For more than 40 years, the majority of the
production has come from large and small reservoirs “S” is located between the Mahakam Delta and the
with good-permeability and good-porosity intervals, Mangkalihat Peninsula. “S” is included in the
* STT Migas Balikpapan
** Indonesian Young Geoscientist Forum
Northern Kutai Basin (Figure 2). Based on
Balikpapan Fm. analysis of results in the “S” Field,
we conclude that the deltaic system in “S” is
developing its own delta in the Northern Kutai Basin
and is separate from the Ancient Mahakam deltaic
system in the southern area. (Sadirsan et al., 1994;
Snedden et al., 1996).
The “S” deltaic system formed together with proto
Mahakam Delta and is estimated to have started
since Early Miocene (Duval et al, 1992; Snedden et
al, 1996). Basin basement subsidence during Eocene
to Early Oligocene occured, causing regional
transgression from east to west.
The uplift of Kuching High in Late Oligocene
changed the sedimentation common trend in the
Kutai Basin which started the main regression phase
from west to east. Deltaic sedimentation reached a
developing peak in Late Miocene to Pliocene. The
result from Late Oligocene tectonic activity in “S”
not so real. There is possibility that uplift of
Mangkupa in Northern Bungalun River and other
area include “S” were still in transgression phase.
Sedimentation and tectonic activity in “S” –
Bungalun area was running synchronous (Samuel,
1976). The uplift which following erosion in western
area caused sedimentation in the eastern area
(surrounding “S”). Otherwise if uplift intensity
decrease, transgression from east occuring to west.
In “S” – Bungalun area, fast deltaic deposition in
Middle Miocene started burden thick clay deposit
and caused unconsolidated clay that was unstable. As
a result, clay mass sticking, breakthrough
diaphirically to regressive sediment above formed
narrow anticline, elongated and parallel with
shoreline. The narrow anticlines is separated by wide
synclines gradually, in conjunction with deltaic
deposition progradation (Samuel, 1976; van de
Weerd et al, 1992).
RESULT
Low resistiviy pay zones in sands characterized by
deep resistivity logs commonly occur in the range of
4.5 to 9 Ωm. In the “S” Field, common pay reservoir
has resistivity above 20 Ωm, therefore we put 10 Ωm
as cut off for low resistivity reservoir. This type of
reservoir occured in clean sand formation and shaly
sand formation.
Some key reasons for this phenomenon are divided
by 2 main aspects. First, geological aspects like bed
thickness, grain size, conductive minerals, clay
minerals, and salinity anomaly. Secondly,
engineering factor, that is the influence of drilling
mud that is caused by instability of the borehole.
Below are the key factors for the low resistivity
reservoir occuring in “S” Field:
GEOLOGICAL ASPECTS
BED THICKNESS
Conventional logging tools have a vertical resolution
of about 1-4 feet. Some thin beds or thin laminations
reservoirs have a bed thickness of around 0.5 ft. So,
these zones are too thin to be resolved by common
logging tools. In shaly sands, the conductivity of the
shale laminations is usually much higher than the gas
or oil sand laminations, and the resulting
conductivity is high (low resistivity). This makes the
zone look like a poor quality reservoir, maybe so
poor that it will not be tested, thus bypassing
considerable oil or gas potential. A similar problem
exists in laminated porosity. The low porosity
laminations have a higher water saturation than oil or
gas bearing higher porosity laminations. The
measured resistivity of the laminated hydrocarbon
bearing reservoir is often close to the truth, but the
calculated water saturation of water zones may be
misleading.
Based on petrography analysis, cores from the
WELL - A well in depth 724 m and 725 m have
laminated structure as thin bed. From Vshale
calculation show in depth 724 m has 0.233 Vsh value
and depth 725 m has 0.273 Vsh value. The logging
tools will read resistivity value lower than actual
hydrocarbon bearing sand (Figure 3).
GRAIN SIZE
Sandstone with very fine – fine grain have a high
amount of irreducible water (Swirr). The finer the
grain size means the higher irreducible water within
the sandstone. High amounts of irreducible water
will make resistivity log value to read lower although
there could be hydrocarbon in its pores. Core data in
WELL - B well in depth 472 m and 478.5 m show
the influence of grain size to resistivity log value in
these reservoirs. (Figure 4).
Based on petrography analysis, core in depth 472 m
is sandstone (classified as litharenite) with medium
grain (0.31 mm) has resistivity value of 19.5 Ωm, and
core in depth 478.5 m is sandstone (classified as
sublitharenite) with fine grain (0.17 mm) having a
resistivity value of 5.9 Ωm. It shows that finer grain
will have a lower resistivity value even though both
are hydrocarbon reservoirs.
CONDUCTIVE MINERALS
The conductive minerals that may cause resistivity
log be lower. Conductive minerals usually contain
Ferrum (Fe) or Magnesium (Mg) element
(ferromagnesian minerals). Conductive mineral
could become the main reason for low resistivity pay
zone in clean sand rather than the clay mineral
content.
Pyrite (FeS2) is usually found associated with other
sulfides or oxides in quartz veins, sedimentary rock,
and metamorphic rock, as well as in coal beds and as
a replacement mineral in fossils. Siderite (FeCO3) is
commonly found in hydrothermal veins, and is
associated with barite, fluorite, galena, and others. It
is also a common diagenetic mineral in shales and
sandstones, where it sometimes forms concretions,
which can encase three-dimensionally preserved
fossils.
Based on petrography analysis, core from WELL - A
and WELL - B showed the presence of conductive
minerals like Pyrite (FeS2) and Siderite (FeCO3).
Core from WELL - A (depth 725 m) and WELL - B
(depth 381 m) have high content of conductive
mineral (Figure 5).
CLAY MINERALS
Authigenic clays are situated within the pore system
and by virtue of their immense surface area relative
to the detrital framework grains, have an impact on
the chemical sensitivity and petrophysical properties
of the sandstone which is greatly out of proportion to
their volumetric contribution (McDonald and
Schmidt, 1992). Clay or Shale is distributed in
sandstone pore in three ways or combinations as
follows: (1) laminated, (2) structrual, and (3)
dispersed (Figure 6).
Most of the dispersed clay is authigenic clay.
Dispersed clays generally occur as a pore-filling
component of the rock, and have a variety of crystal
sizes and shapes. They are able to produce a broad
spectrum of adverse effects on fluid flow and fluid
saturation properties without necessarily having
much effect on the total pore volume of the rock.
Laminated and structural clays from detrital origin
(allogenic clay) have less impact to rock properties.
This paper focuses on the dispersed clay which
becomes a key factor in the “S” Field. Neasham
(1979) identified three common forms of dispersed
clays seen in sandstone reservoirs as follows: (1)
pore-filling, (2) pore-lining, and (3) pore-bridging.
Pore-filling clays are the most common mode of
occurrence for Kaolinite, which typically develops as
pseudohexagonal, platy crystals that attach loosely to
pore walls or occupy intergranular pores. The crystal
platelets may be stacked face-to-face, forming long
crystal aggregates or booklets. Kaolinite crystals that
extensively fill pores have a random arrangement
with respect to one another and affect rock
petrophysical properties primarily by reducing
intergranular pore volume, and by behaving as
migrating fines within the pore system.
Pore-lining clays attach to pore walls and form a
relatively continuous, thin mineral coating. Crystals
attached perpendicularly to the pore wall surface are
usually intergrown to form a continuous clay layer
that contains abundant micropore space (pore
diameters of less than 2 m). Illite, Chlorite, and
Smectite typically occur as pore linings.
Pore-bridging clays are essentially similar to pore-
lining clays, except that they not only line pore walls,
but they also extend far into or completely across a
pore or pore throat to create a bridging effect. Pore-
bridging clays exhibit extensive development of
intertwined plates and fibers that produce an intricate
network with abundant microporosity and tortuous
fluid flow pathway. Smectite, chlorite and illite all
display this morphology, although it is most typical
of illite.
XRD Data from 2 wells (WELL - A and WELL - B)
show that clay composition includes illite, kaolinite,
and little illite-smectite (Table 1). This indicates the
presence of authigenic clay in the “S” Field as
dispersed clay which cause formation damage and
lead to a reading of lower resistivity log value
(Figure 7).
SALINITY ANOMALY
Salinity is dissolved salt content of a body of water.
The more saline a solution, the greater the
conductivity, the electric current being carried by
disscoiated ions, e.g. Na+ and Cl- in a formation water
(Rider, 2002). So, high salinity interstitial water
causes low resistivity within the pay zone.
Salinity is associated with depositional environmet.
A marine depositional environment is more saline
than an alluvial depositional environment. So,
increasingly toward marine, the formation water
becomes more saline.
Salinity has been estimated from logs by the Rw
method. The low resistivity is mainly because of
large high salinity irreducible water. Based on the
salinity log in well WELL - A show all low resistivity
pay have high saline formation water. In interval
642–644 m with Rwapp = 0.652 Ωm that
corresponds to a salinity of 11,538 ppm, and in
interval 1042–1046 m with Rwapp = 0.678 Ωm that
corresponds to a salinity of 10,588 ppm (Figure 8).
ENGINEERING ASPECT
INFLUENCE OF DRILLING MUD
The “S” Field has drilled more than 200 wells. The
middle of 2003 saw the start of the use of Oil Base
Mud because clay sensitivity of swelling.
This paper focuses on the influence of drilling mud
from WELL - A and WELL - B. On WELL - A and
WELL - B are drilled by WBM (Lignosulfonate).
Lignosulfonate is organic acids that supply the
anions (negative ions) to the fluid. These anions
reduce the yield point and gel strengths by
neutralizing the cations (positive ions) on the clay
particles, thus deflocculating the clay slurry causing
clay particles to repel one another. It is very versatile
due to its high degree of solubility in both freshwater
and saltwater environments. Because it is acidic, it
requires an alkaline environment in which to
solubilize. Therefore, hydroxyl ions are added
usually in the form of caustic soda (sodium
hydroxide) and lime (calcium hydroxide) to increase
the pH.
Caliper log data in WELL - A and WELL - B show
many caving on these low resistivity pay zones.
Caving is caused by mud filtrate (water) filling into
the invaded zone (shaly sand reservoir) making shale
swelling and the particle bond in formation is getting
weak, so formation will sloughing and result in
caving.
Therefore, mud filtrate fills into the uninvaded zone
through the caving zone. So, on reading of deep
resistivity log is lower although the reservoirs
contain hydrocarbon. On caliper log data in WELL -
C (used OBM) show stability borehole and has high
resistivity log value on hydrocarbon reservoir pay. It
show that mud type has an influence to the resistivity
log value (Figure 9).
PRODUCTIVE ZONE EXAMPLES
Some wells perforated on low resistivity pay zone.
Although these zone have low resistivity, but when
it is perforated result in hydrocarbons. For example,
from WELL - A well, in K-31 zone (depth 642 m –
644 m) results in gas with a resistivity value of about
7.15 Ωm, and in O-6 zone (depth 1042 m – 1046 m)
results in oil with a resistivity value of about 8.36
Ωm. From WELL - B well, in G-95 zone (depth 379
m – 381.5 m) results in oil with a resistivity value of
about 6.55 Ωm, and in H-9 zone (depth 478 m – 480
m) results in oil with a resistivity value about of 5.88
Ωm. (Figure 10).
CONCLUSIONS
This study concludes that:
 Key reasons for the low resistivity in the “S”
Field is divided into 2 main factors. First,
geological aspects like bed thickness, grain size,
conductive minerals, clay minerals, and salinity
anomaly. Secondly, engineering factor, that is
the influence of drilling mud because of
instability in the borehole.
 Low resistivity in clean sands are more affected
by conductive mineral (pyrite and siderite), and
low resistivity in shaly sands are more affected
by the presence of clay mineral (kaolinite and
illite).
 Dispersed clay is distributed in sandstone
reservoir in 3 ways as follows: (1) pore-filling,
(2) pore-lining, and (3) pore bridging. It caused
formation damage and may be the main reason
for the low resistivity reservoir in “S” Field.
 For further evaluation, this method can be
applied in other wells with low resistivity
hydrocarbon problem. There are about 12
candidate wells. Most candidate wells used
WBM.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors would like to thank to Lembaga
Penelitian dan Pengabdian Masyarakat (LPPM) STT
Migas Balikpapan for support in this paper, and to
Prima Tonapa for help in log analysis.
REFERENCES
Asquith, et al. 1982. Basic Well Log Analysis For
Geologists, Method in Exploration Series. The
American Association of Petroleum Geologists.
Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Darling, Toby. 2005. Well Logging and Formation
Evaluation. Oxford, UK: Gulf Professional
Publishing.
Hakim, M.R. 2013. Improving Performance in a
Mature Field: Integrated Analysis for Identification
and Optimization of Low-Resistivity Hydrocarbon-
Bearing Sand Reservoirs in Semberah Field,
Mahakam Delta, Kutai Basin. Proceeding IPA 37-
2013.
Halim, A. et al. 2006. Case Study: Analisa Reservoir
Sangatta terhadap Pengaruh Lumpur Pemboran
OBM vs WBM. Proceeding Simposium Nasional &
Kongres IX Ikatan Ahli Teknik Perminyakan
Indonesia (IATMI) 2006.
Krygowski, Daniel A. 2003. Guide to Petrophysical
Interpretation. Austin, Texas USA.
Partono, Y.J. 1922. Low-Resistive Sandstone
Reservoirs in The Attaka Field. Proceeding IPA 21-
1922.
Rider, Malcolm. 2002. The Geological Interpretation
of Well Logs, Second Edition. Sutherland, Scotland:
Rider-French Consulting Ltd.
Suwardji, et al. 1994. Low Resistivity Reservoir
Study: Sangatta Field Kalimantan. Proceeding IPA
23-1994.
 TABLE 1

XRD OF CLAY MINERALS IN WELL - A AND WELL - B. IT SHOW THAT CLAY

COMPOSITION INCLUDE SOME ILLITE, DOMINANT KAOLINITE, AND LITTLE ILLITE-
SMECTITE.

 
 Figure 1 - Location map of “S” Field, South “S” District, East Kutai Regency, East Kalimantan Province.

Figure 2 - Regional stratigraphy of Northern Kutai Basin. The reservoir in “S” Field is located in Balikpapan
Fm. (Sukardi et al., 1995).

 
Figure 3 - Based on petrography analysis, core from WELL - A in depth 724 m (1) and 725 m (2) show thin
bed as lamination structure. From Vshale calculation, depth 724 m has 0.233 Vsh value and depth
725 m has 0.273 Vsh value. This kind of reservoirs are too thin to be resolved by common logging
tools.

Figure 4 - Based on petrography analysis, core from WELL - B in: (1) 472 m show medium grain sand have
high resistivity; (2) 478.5 m shows fine grain sand have low resistivity. Even, both is hydrocarbon
reservoir.

 
Figure 5 - Based on petrography data, show that core from WELL - A in depth 725 m (1), and WELL - B in
depth 381 m (2) contain conductive mineral, there of pyrite and siderite.

Figure 6 - Shale distribution in rock pores in three ways or combination. There are laminated, structural, and
dispersed. (After, Schlumberger)

 
Figure 7 - Based on SEM and XRD data, core from: (1) WELL - B in depth 381 m is dominated by kaolinite
and form dispersed clay as pore-filling clay; (2) WELL - A in depth 1045 m is dominated by illite
and form dispersed clay as pore-lining; (3) WELL - B in depth 478.5 m is dominated by illite and
form dispersed clay as pore-bridging.

Figure 8 - Based on salinity log in WELL - A show that: (1) 642–644 m with Rwapp = 0.652 Ωm that
corresponds to a salinity of 11,538 ppm; (2) 1042-1046 m with Rwapp = 0.678 Ωm that
corresponds to a salinity of 10,588 ppm.

 
 Figure 9 - Based on caliper log data show different borehole condition between WBM and OBM. (1) WELL
- C used OBM show stability borehole, so show actual hydrocarbon resistivity value; (2)(3) WELL
- A and WELL - B used WBM (Lignosulfonate) show instablitiy borehole (caving) in reservoir
pay, so make the resistivity is lower, even reservoir contain hydrocarbon.

Figure 10 - Example of low resistivity hydrocarbon reservoir in WELL - A: (1) 642.5 – 644 m with resistivity
value about 7.15 Ωm and resulted gas after be perforated; (2)1042 – 1046 m with resistivity value
about 8.36 Ωm and resulted oil after be perforated.

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