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.

Electrical Resistivity Sounding for Groundwater Investigation around Enugu Metropolis and the Environs, Southeast Nigeria

This report evaluates the use of electrical method and borehole data to investigate the subsurface to delineate the groundwater potential in Enugu metropolis and the environs, south-eastern Nigeria other than rely only on resistivity method which could lead to interpretation error. Integrating these 2 data sets is key in this study. The study area is located in the Anambra Basin and is underlain by Nkporo/Enugu Shale which is overlain by the Mamu Formation. It is bounded by Latitudes 6°2 0'00"N to 6°30'00"N and Longitudes 7°25'00"E to 7°35'00"E and covers surface area of about 342 m2. Thirty-one vertical electrical soundings (VES) were carried out across the area using the Schlumberger electrode array with current electrode separation from 2 to 500 m to identify the depths and resistivity values of the identified geo-electric layers. Through data analysis using WinResist software, the apparent resistivity, thicknesses and depths and the thicknesses of the aquifers were generated. The resistivity and depths were modelled to generate resistivity map and depth map. The resistivity of the aquiferous zone within the study area varied from 20.55 - 427.8 ohm-m at depths of between 10.7 - 40.05 m. Depth to the water table appears to be shallow at the south western part of the map. The interpreted geo-electric layers show a sequence of lateritic top soil, shale, sand and shale. The frequency distribution of the VES curves generated shows the presence of 3 to 5 layers with HK type as the highest. Also, a 2D model was generated using the correlation of VES to VES data and borehole data to VES data to show the underlying stratigraphy beneath the study area as well as the direction of ground water flow. Result of the VES curve analysis reveals that the sub-surface is underlain by three lithological layers namely: lateritic top soil, shale, sand and shales with NW direction of groundwater flow from the 2D model. Groundwater prospective zones can be seen along NW, SW and central parts of the study area which have low resistivity values.

The effects of storage time on fuel properties of Jatropha biodiesel blends

This study investigates the effects of storage time on fuel properties of biodiesel made from Jatropha oil and its blends with mineral diesel at different percentage compositions.The influence of storage stability on selected fuel properties such as kinematic viscosity,density,pour,cloud and flash points for Jatropha biodiesel and its blends at varying storage times were investigated using standard test methods.The biodiesel obtained through trans-esterification of Jatropha oil was blended with mineral diesel to obtain fractional samples of B20(20%biodiesel blend),B40(40%biodiesel blend),B60(60%biodiesel blend)and B100(100%neat biodiesel).Results show that kinematic viscosity and density increase for each blend over the 12 weeks of storage period.Flash,cloud and pour points decrease for each blend over the period of study.B20 was observed to be the optimum blend mix as its fuel properties were relatively unchanged over the storage period when compared to that of mineral diesel.It can be implied from the research that while properties like kinematic viscosity and density deteriorate with time;flash,cloud and pour points are observed to have improved with storage time.