Evaluation of the Influence of Shale on the Petrophysical Properties of Hydrocarbon-Bearing Reservoir Sand in “CAC” Field in the Niger Delta, Nigeria

This study aims at evaluating the influence of the presence of shale on the quality of reservoir sand in “CAC-Field”, Coastal swamp Niger Delta by integrating suites of well logs and 3D pre-stack seismic data. Shales in the reservoir pose interpretation challenges as they form baffles to fluid flow and reduce effective porosity. The data used included well logs (density, gamma ray, neutron, resistivity) and 3D seismic data. Petrel and Interactive Petrophysics software were adopted for the analyses. The Vclay/effective porosity cross-plots were used to determine the clay distribution patterns hence the influence of shale on the petrophysical properties of the hydrocarbon reservoir. Result of the well correlation yielded 12 reservoirs with 4 (RES 4 - RES 7) being hydrocarbon bearing and laterally continuous across the 4 wells, (CAC-1 - CAC-4) forming the focus of the study. Evidence of an NW-SE trending delta progradation in the CAC field is represented by the increasing sandiness downdip, at both intermediate and the shallow horizons. Thickening of the reservoir in some instances may be structurally controlled due to faulting. The results from the petrophysical evaluation show Vclay ranges of 13% - 21% and good to very good porosity values that vary from 15% - 25%. The permeability range from 240.49 - 2406.49 mD except for the sands in RES 7, CAC-3 well where the permeability was low (91 mD). Additionally, the Vclay/Effective Porosity cross-plots indicate essentially laminated and structural clay types with few dispersed clay in RES 7, CAC-3 well. The existence of these 3 clay types did not significantly influence the quality of the sands containing the hydrocarbon in the area, except in RES 7, CAC-3. The compartmentalizing effect of the laminated clay/shale could only possibly affect the vertical flow due to possible baffles to the vertical flow, but the horizontal flow may not have been impeded significantly. The study of the type and pattern of clay has helped to better evaluate the quality and mobility trend of the hydrocarbon in the CAC field.

Study on the electric property of shaly sand and its interpretation method

There are so many shaly sand conduction models, and most of them are only used in some local area, and have their limitations. So far, there is no theoretical model that can be used commonly and efficiently .In this paper, based on some existing models, and combining with the knowledge of the researched area, we designed out a new conduction model. The total conductivity of the rock is the combining result from free water in inter granular porous, micro pore water and the clay bound water. It can well describe many electric conduction characteristics of shaly sand. In order to make it useable in practice, we also provide some methods for interpreting the pore components with comprehensive logging data.

Shaly detritus embedded epoxy-resin coated proppants

Proppant plays a significant role in the hydraulic fracturing process, which can affect the production of oil and gas wells. Due to the high density and low adhesion force, the settling speed of traditional proppants is fast, which will lead to the blockage of a crack channel. In this study, a proppant with double layer structure is fabricated by coating epoxy-resin and shaly detritus on ceramic proppants for the first time,respectively. The epoxy-resin enables the shaly detritus to be coated on the proppant successfully, which can provide a new method for shaly detritus treatment. The adhesive ability of shaly detritus and epoxyresin coated proppants(SEPs) is improved by 10.4% under the load force of 500 n N, which prolongs the time for the fracture to close. At the same time, the suspending ability of SEPs is two times higher than the uncoated proppants. Once the guar gum solution concentration is 0.3 wt%, the settling time of SEPs is36.7% longer than that of the uncoated proppants, which can effectively reduce the settlement of proppants in the crack. In addition, the hydrophobicity of the SEPs is enhanced, which reduces the wateroil ratio of crude oil and increases the liquid conductivity tested by deionized water. In summary, this new proppant is expected to promote the development of unconventional oil and gas resources.

A Comparative Study of Element Cycling in the Soil-Plant System: A Case Study of Shaly and Calcareous Soils, Southern Benue Trough, Nigeria

This study focused on the cycling of major and trace elements in the soil-plant system in parts of Southern Benue Trough, Nigeria. Surface soil samples and cassava crop samples were collected from cultivated farmlands underlined by shaly and calcareous soils and were analysed using standard techniques. The results show that shaly soils are relatively acidic (pH, 4.8 - 6.6) with high level of organic matter content (OM, 3.2% - 8.7%) compared to calcareous soils (pH, 5.6 - 7.2;OM 1.6% - 7.0%). The soils are enriched in elemental composition relative to the world average abundances in soil. The maximum levels of K, Al, and Zn were obtained from shaly soils. The computed accumulation factors are generally <1. Elemental levels decreased in the plant parts in the order tuber > leaf > stem. Significant correlation was obtained between elemental associations of calcareous surface soils compared to that of shaly soils. R-mode factor analysis revealed the controls of soil geochemistry to include lithology, anthropogenic and environmental factors. A stepwise linear regression analysis identified soil elemental component, pH and organic matter as some of the factors influencing soil-plant metal uptake.

Influence of wettability of shaly sandstone on rock electricity parameters

It has been found that the existence of chlorite and illite will lead to the rock wettability of oil affinity.Chlorite and illite are developed in shaly sandstone of Yingcheng Formation in Longfengshan area,the saturation index n of 7 rock samples is very high,with the highest of 14.57,whereas the cementation index m is low.The X-ray diffraction of clay and whole rock analysis of 7 shaly sandstone samples are carried out,and the relationship between chlorite and illite content vs.m and n is established.It is concluded that the low m value and high n value are caused by the wettability of rock.In order to verify the influence of wettability on the parameters of rock electricity,this paper discusses the method of making artificial shaly sandstone and the control of wettability.This study provides certain reference for determining the saturation model of shaly sandstone and improving the logging interpretation accuracy of shaly sandstone reservoirs.

Effect evaluation of shale types on hydrocarbon potential using well logs and crossplot approach,Halewah oilfield,Sab'atayn Basin,Yemen

Log-analysts typically distinguish three types of shale distribution in clastic reservoirs,that is,laminated,dispersed and structural distribution,which tend to influence the effective porosity and permeability of reservoirs.The Alif Member is made up of sandstone interbedded with some shale,with shale dominating on top and at the bottom.In sedimentary formations,the gamma ray log normally reflects the shale content.The gamma ray log and neutron-density porosity crossplot is used to estimate a reservoir's shale volume(Vsh),according to which the Alif Member is divided into three zones.In addition,shale types are recognized by neutron-density porosity crossplot,and the correlation coefficients of gamma ray log-based Vsh and neutron-density porosity-based Vsh are suggested to be reliable.The Vsh and shale types of the three zones are compared against the reservoir's potential to yield hydrocarbons.The major oil intervals mainly concentrate in shaly sand and sandstone zones of dispersed and laminated shale types.The third zone,the lowermost interval,contains pure shale of laminated type and is considered out of reservoir standards in hydrocarbon production due to its excessive shale volume.Quantitative assessment of shale type distribution and Vsh by crossplot approach could not furnish correct information to evaluate massive shale intervals.

A new integrated approach to resolve the saturation profile using high-resolution facies in heterogenous reservoirs

The saturation calculation in complex reservoirs remains a major challenge to the oil and gas industry.In simple formations,a tendency towards simple saturation models such as Archie or Simandoux for clean and shaly reservoirs respectively is always preferable.These models were found to be working effectively in homogeneous formations within which the porosity and permeability are linked in the light of a simple facies scheme.Where the rocks show some degrees of heterogeneity,the well-logs are usually affected by different factors.This adversely results in a compromised or averaged log profiles that may affect the saturation calculations.Four wells drilled across a shaly sand of high heterogeneity have been studied in the Perth Basin,Western Australia.The aim is to resolve the hydrocarbon saturation and explain the high productivity results,despite the high water saturation,obtained through a conducted formation well test across the interested reservoir zones.A new integration technique between a suite of conventional and advanced logging tools together with the capillary pressure measurements has been carried out to generate a high-resolution reservoir saturation profile,that is lithofacies dependent.Three different independent methods were used in the studied wells to calculate the saturation and to reduce the uncertainty of the final estimated profiles.The methods are the resistivity-based saturation,the NMR-based irreducible saturation,and a new application through saturation height modeling.Furthermore,through the workflow,an effective calibration for the magnetic resonance T2 cutoff has been applied that is supported by the excellent reservoir production behavior from such complex reservoir.The methodology will help resolve the saturation calculation as one of the most challenging reservoir parameters,particularly where the resistivity logs are affected in complicated shaly sand environments.The effectiveness of the workflow shines the possibility to predict high resolution facies and saturation profiles in the lack of resistivity logs.A further possibility can complete the analysis on real time basis,which can certainly provide facies and saturation profiles extended to the uncored wells.Application of this methodology in the uncored wells has shown very encouraging results in various well trajectories,either vertical,deviated or horizontal long boreholes.