Reservoir heterogeneity and fracture parameter determination using electrical image logs and petrophysical data(a case study, carbonate Asmari Formation, Zagros Basin, SW Iran)

Assessment of reservoir and fracture parameters is necessary to optimize oil production,especially in heterogeneous reservoirs.Core and image logs are regarded as two of the best methods for this aim.However,due to core limitations,using image log is considered as the best method.This study aims to use electrical image logs in the carbonate Asmari Formation reservoir in Zagros Basin,SW Iran,in order to evaluate natural fractures,porosity system,permeability profile and heterogeneity index and accordingly compare the results with core and well data.The results indicated that the electrical image logs are reliable for evaluating fracture and reservoir parameters,when there is no core available for a well.Based on the results from formation micro-imager(FMI)and electrical micro-imager(EMI),Asmari was recognized as a completely fractured reservoir in studied field and the reservoir parameters are mainly controlled by fractures.Furthermore,core and image logs indicated that the secondary porosity varies from 0%to 10%.The permeability indicator indicates that zones 3 and 5 have higher permeability index.Image log permeability index shows a very reasonable permeability profile after scaling against core and modular dynamics tester mobility,mud loss and production index which vary between 1 and 1000 md.In addition,no relationship was observed between core porosity and permeability,while the permeability relied heavily on fracture aperture.Therefore,fracture aperture was considered as the most important parameter for the determination of permeability.Sudden changes were also observed at zones 1-1 and 5 in the permeability trend,due to the high fracture aperture.It can be concluded that the electrical image logs(FMI and EMI)are usable for evaluating both reservoir and fracture parameters in wells with no core data in the Zagros Basin,SW Iran.

Geochemistry of Carboniferous Sandstones (Sardar Formation), East-Central Iran: Implication for Provenance and Tectonic Setting

Geochemical analysis of sandstones from the Sardar Formation （from two stratigraphic successions） in east-central Iran were used for identification of geochemical characterization of sandstones, provenance and tectonic setting. Sandstones in the two lithostratigraphic successions have similar chemical compositions suggesting a common provenance. Bulk-rock geochemistry analysis of Carboniferous sandstones from Sardar Formation indicates that they are mainly quartz dominated and are classified as quartzarenites, sublitharenites and subarkoses, derived from acid igneous to intermediate igneous rocks. Discrimination function analysis indicates that the sandstones of Sardar Formation were derived from quartzose sedimentary provenance in a recycled orogenic setting. Also, major and trace elements in sandstones of Sardar Formation （e.g., K2O/Na2O vs. SiO2 ） indicate deposition in a stable passive continental margin （PM）. Chemical index of alteration （CIA） for these rocks （65%） suggests a moderate to relatively high degree of weathering in the source area.

Provenance, Tectonic Setting and Geochemistry of Ahwaz Sandstone Member(Asmari Formation, Oligo-Miocene), Marun Oilfield, Zagros Basin, SW Iran

The Asmari Formation deposited in the Zagros foreland basin during the OligoceneMiocene.Lithologically,the Asmari Formation consists of limestone,dolomitic limestone,dolomite,argillaceous limestone,some anhydrite （Kalhur Member） and sandstones （Ahwaz Member）.This study is based on the analysis of core samples from four subsurface sections （wells Mn-68,Mn-281,Mn-292 and Mn-312） in the Marun Oilfieid in the Dezful embayment subzone in order to infer their provenance and tectonic setting of the Ahwaz Sandstone Member.Petrographical data reveal that the Ahwaz Sandstone comprises 97.5% quartz,1.6% feldspar,and 0.9% rock fragments and all samples are classified as quartz arenites.The provenance and tectonic setting of the Ahwaz Sandstone have been assessed using integrated petrographic and geochemical studies.Petrographic analysis reveals that mono-and poly-crystalline quartz grains from metamorphic and igneous rocks of a craton interior setting were the dominant sources.Chemically,major and trace element concentrations in the rocks of the Ahwaz Sandstone indicate deposition in a passive continental margin setting.As indicated by the CIW index （chemical index of weathering） of the Ahwaz Sandstone （average value of 82） their source area underwent ＂intense＂ recycling but ＂moderate to high＂ degree of chemical weathering.The petrography and geochemistry results are consistent with a tropical,humid climate and low-relief highlands.

Facies Analysis and Sequence Stratigraphy of the Qal'eh Dokhtar Formation(Middle-Upper Jurassic) in the West of Boshrouyeh, East Central Iran

The study area is located in the east Tabas Block in Central Iran. Facies analysis of the Qal＇eh Dokhtar Formation（middle Callovian to late Oxfordian） was carried out on two stratigraphic sections and applied to depositional environment and sequence stratigraphy interpretation. This formation conformably overlies and underlies the marly-silty Baghamshah and the calcareous Esfandiar formations, respectively. Lateral and vertical facies changes documents low-to high energy environments, including tidal-flat, beach to intertidal, lagoon, barrier, and open-marine. According to these facies associations and absence of resedimentation deposits a depositional model of a mixed carbonate-siliciclastic ramp was proposed for the Qal＇eh Dokhtar Formation. Seven third-order depositional sequences were identified in each two measured stratigraphic sections. Transgressive systems tracts（TSTs） show deepening upward trends, i.e. shallow water beach to intertidal and lagoonal facies, while highstand systems tracts（HST） show shallowing upward trends in which deep water facies are overlain by shallow water facies. All sequence boundaries（except at the base of the stratigraphic column） are of the no erosional（SB2） types. We conclude eustatic rather than tectonic factors played a dominant role in controlling carbonate depositional environments in the study area.

Facies Analysis and Sequence Stratigraphy of Silurian Carbonate Ramps in the Turan(Kopeh-Dagh) and Central Iran Plates with Emphasis on Gondwana Tectonic Event

Two sections from the Silurian deposits in the Central Iran Micro and Turan Plates were measured and sampled. These deposits are mostly composed of submarine volcanic rocks, skeletal and non-skeletal limestone, shale and sandstone that were deposited in low to high energy conditions （from tidal flat to deep open marine）. According to gradual deepening trend, wide lateral distribution of facies as well as absence of resedimentation deposits, a depositional model of a homoclinal ramp was proposed for these deposits. Field observations and facies distribution indicate that, two depositional sequences were recognized in both sections. These sections show similarities in facies and depositional sequence during the Early Silurian in the area. Although there are some opinions and evidences that demonstrated Paleo-Tethys rifting phase started at the Late Ordovician-Early Silurian, similarities suggest that the Turan and Iran Plates were not completely detached tectonic block during this time, and that their depositional conditions were affected by global sea level changes and tectonic events.

Depositional Controls on the Ichnology of Ordovician Wave-dominated Marine Facies：New Evidence from the Shirgesht Formation,Central Iran

The Lower Ordovician Shirgesht Formation in central Iran is composed of siliciclastic and carbonate rocks deposited in diverse coastal and marine shelfal environments（tidal flat,lagoon,shoreface,offshore-shelf and carbonate ramp）.Five facies associations contain diverse ichnofossil assemblages that show distinct proximal to distal trends formed in a wide range of physical-chemical conditions.The ethological groups of trace fossils in the Shirgesht Formation reflect a gradient of depositional stress conditions across a wave-influenced shoreline and shelf.Deposits of waveinfluenced environments make up a significant component of the geological record of shallow marine settings,and the ability to determine paleoenvironments in detail in such successions is critical for reconstruction of depositional histories and sequence-stratigraphic interpretation.The Cruziana ichnofacies of the study shows highly diverse suites that record the establishment of a benthic community under stable conditions and a long-term colonization window.The Skolithos ichnofacies recognized is a low diversity opportunistic ichnocommunity suite that resulted from colonization after tempestite deposition in a stressed environment.The strata record an onshore to offshore replacement of the Cruziana ichnofacies（with abundant feeding traces of deposit-feeders） by the Skolithos ichnofacies（dominated by suspension-feeders and predators）.A transitional zone between the two ichnofacies coincides with the offshore-transition/distal lower-surface deposits.The distribution of ichnofacies,the diversity and range of ethological characteristics reflected by the ichnogenera,and the wide range of wave-dominated coastal facies demonstrate the potential to use individual trace fossils and ichnofacies for significantly refined palaeoenvironmental analysis of wavedominated coastal settings,particularly in Ordovician successions.

Seismic geomorphology and stratigraphic trap analyses of the Lower Cretaceous siliciclastic reservoir in the Kopeh Dagh-Amu Darya Basin

Lower Cretaceous Shurijeh–Shatlyk Formations host some of the main reservoirs in the Kopeh Dagh-Amu Darya Basin.Exploration in this area so far has focused on the development of structural traps, but recognition of stratigraphic traps in this area is of increasing importance. Integration of 3D seismic data with borehole data from thirteen wells and five outcrop sections was used to identify potential reservoir intervals and survey the hydrocarbon trap types in the East Kopeh Dagh Foldbelt(NE Iran). Analyses of horizontal slices indicated that the lower Shurijeh was deposited in a braided fluvial system.Generally, three types of channel were identified in the lower Shurijeh Formation: type 1, which is low-sinuosity channels interpreted to be filled with non-reservoir fine-grained facies;type 2, which is a moderately sinuous sand-filled channel with good prospectively;and type 3, which is narrow, high sinuosity channel filled with fine-grained sediments. Results indicate that upper Shurijeh–Shatlyk Formations were deposited in fluvial to delta and shallow marine environments. The identified delta forms the second reservoir zone in the Khangiran Field. Study of the stratigraphic aspects of the Shurijeh succession indicates that both lower and upper Shurijeh reservoirs are stratigraphic reservoir traps that improved during folding.