RESERVOIR CHARACTERIZATION OF SHUAIBA FORMATION

,(APTIAN)
KHABAZ OIL FIELD, KIRKUK AREA, NE IRAQ

Fuad Qadir and Basim Al-Qayim

Department of Geology, Sulaimani University, Kurdistan, Iraq (basim.alqayim@univsul.net)

POROSITY PREDICTION
KHABAZ OIL FIELD Porosity evaluation of the reservoir is predicted using core measurements and
log-derived data. Reservoir porosity quite variable depending on controlling
The Khabbaz oil field is one of Iraq’s giant oil fields with multiple pay zones
factor. Porosity measurements of cores from the studied wells show values
similar to most of the northern Iraq oil fields. It is located at Kirkuk area about 10
ranges between 5 – 25 % with average value of potential part near 11%.
km to the southwest of Kirkuk city (Fig. 1).The first well (Kz-1) was drilled in
Potential porosity parts and units of the reservoir were identified using GR and
August 1976. The field was developed and brought on stream in March 1994 by
N-D porosity logs ( as calibrated with core-measured porosity), and porosity
Northern Oil Company. The field's reserves were estimated to be about 1 - 0.5
cut-off value of 10%. These parts were highlighted for the Kz-1 and Kz-2 wells
billion barrels, lying in three formations: (1) the Jerribe/Oilgocene, with 36 degree
as shown in the following diagram.
API oil in a 130-meters column at a depth of 581 meters;(2) the Upper Qamchuqa
(Maudud) with 29 degree oil in a 125-meters column at a depth of 819 meters; and
(3) Lower Qamchuqa (Shuaiba, Aptian), with 42 degree API oil in a 175-meters
column at a depth of 888 meters. Now it has 30 wells and a 70 MCF/d compression
and dehydration plant, plus a pipeline linking it to the main export network.
Khabbaz oil field can produce about 25,000 b/d of oil and 45 MCF/d of gas.
The reservoir section can be differentiated into three lithologic parts. The upper part
which consists of blue-grey hard, dens, partly dolomitized marly limestone (Unit A).
The middle part is buff- light brown, vuggy and oil impregnated dolomitic
limestone and dolostone (Unit B). While the lower part is the thickest part and
consists of buff- light grey, hard, dense, shaley in part and partly dolomitic
limestone (Unit C). All units were subjected to different degrees of fracturing and
stylolitization. The reservoir lithologic units are well correlatable across the studied
wells (Fig.5).

PETROPHYSICAL CHARACTERS
Structurally the field represents a small subsurface anticline with domal shape and 20 Core measurements and log-derived porosity-permeability data were used to infer sets
Km length and 4 Km width Figure (2). A major fault intersects the structure in its of petrophysical parameters of the reservoir including distribution of these properties
southeastern nose and had specific influence on the reservoir performance (Figure 3). with relation to lithologies, pore sizes, pore-throat classes, crystal sizes classes and
Although a large number of these wells targeted the Tertiary reservoirs, about six reservoir flow types. Application were used for individual well and for each lithologic
wells penetrated the Shuaiba reservoir. . unit of the reservoir. Some these results is shown in the following diagrams.

RESERVOIR MICROFACIES
The microfacies analysis is attempted here to investigate:
• Type and distribution of microfacies to define the different rock types and facies
• To define sedimentary facies for paleoenvironmental reconstruction
• To define links between reservoir petrophysical characters and rock fabic and
diagenesis
• Three major groups of microfacies were recognized related to the main rock types
of the reservoir. These are illustrated in the following chart.

METHODOLOGY
The basic goals of this study is to characterize the Shuaiba reservoir in Khabaz oil
field through examination of its lithologic characters, petrographic components and
fabric and wire-line log interpretation. Research material were collected from four
wells completely penetrated the shuaiba reservoir. These are Kz-1, Kz-2, Kz-5, Kz-14.
Used Data set includes examination of core barrels and cutting samples. Petrographic
POROSITY
Different
TYPEStype of porosity were recognized in the different lithologic units of the
study use 150 stained thin-sections to infer microfacies and micro-texture. Different
reservoir including in descending order of importance: Vugs, fractures, skeletal,
kinds of wire-line logs were used to assist in lithologic differentiation, to link facies to
intercrystalline, stylolitic and intergranular. These types are associated different rock
reservoir properties, and to investigate petrophysical properties such as porosity –
types as follow:
permeability relations as a prediction tool to enhance reservoir characterization.

STRATIGRAPHY & LITHOLOGIC UNITS CONCLUSIONS

Core and log data were used to characterize the Shuaiba reservoir of the Qamchuqa
The Shuaiba Formation of Aptian age represents an extensive shelf carbonate Group (Aptian) at Khabaz oilfield and reveal the following points:
extends over most of central and southern Iraq, and far beyond onto the Arabian Gulf • It represent a shelf carbonate of limited facies spectrum which is controlled by
region forming one of the most important Cretaceous reservoir of the Middle East distribution of Orbitolina shoals.
region. The formation known at Kirkuk area and the outcrop region of the folded • Original rocks were subjected to variable degrees of dolomitization and
zone as the Lower Qamchuqa Formation (Fig. 4). In both cases It generally consists fracturing which enhance reservoir performance and develop its
of carbonate section reaches 200 m. and composed of dolomitized shoal limestone of compartmentization.
Orbitolina and rudist bioclasts which grades laterally northeastwards into deeper • Reservoir porosity-permeability relationships and reservoir petrophysics were
shelf and basinal facies. The formation at Khabaz oil field is overlain by the investigated through series of quantitative approaches leading to define
marlstone of Upper Sarmord Formation and underlain by the shale of the Garagu - potential parts of the reservoir which is associated with medium crystalline
Formation. The formation represent a second order cycle of thick TST and thinner dolomite and bioclastic limestone with considerable intercrystalline, vug, and
HST). fracture porosity.
- Reservoir flow type is mainly of fractures flow superimposed on matrix flow.