Diagenetic Alteration and Reservoir Quality on Tidal Sandstone Deposits,

Nyalau Formation, Sarawak, East Malaysia

Azirahtul Atifah binti Mohamed Sabri, Dr. Numair A. Siddiqui

Petroleum Geoscience Department, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
E-mail: azirahtul@gmail.com

Abstract: Prediction of reservoir quality become more challenging in terms of micro distribution of pore geometry.
Here diagenesis play important role in determining the reservoir quality with better understanding. This research
focuses on determination of pore geometry and diagenetic alterations of Nyalau Formation, Borneo. This has been
done with traditional field sedimentology i.e macroscopic to microscopic (thin-section) with grain size analysis and
porosity-permeability determination for 26 samples taken from the outcrops. Represented outcrops from the study
area show sedimentary features such as Herringbone, Cross-bedding, Flaser, Wavy and Bioturbidite Structures. The
grain size of the outcrop mainly very fine to fine. In terms of petrography the porosity ranges are from 15% to 35%
where it proofs that the reservoir quality of the outcrop is good to very good and permeability of the sandstone
facies is high ranges from 46.77 to 19136.69 milidarcy (mD). Petrography analysis of the samples showing the
sorting of the grains are very poor to fair depending on type of the facies and a lot of quartz overgrowth indicating
the diagenesis alteration affecting the reservoir quality. By integrating the results of these analysis shows that which
factor of the diagenesis discussion it has been concluded from the results that tidal sandstone in Nyalau Formation
is a good quality hydrocarbon sandstone reservoir.

Key words:
Sedimentology; diagenesis; reservoir quality; petrography; pore-perm.

INTRODUCTION* will be found in Nyalau formation affected by the tidal

1.1 BACKGROUND
The study area is related to Nyalau formation in
Bintulu, Sarawak. Nyalau formation is in Sarawak
basin which the geomorphology is foreland basin [1].
Situated at the south of Balingian provinces, Nyalau
formation is an onshore geological environment that
developed during late Oligocene to early Miocene.
Sarawak basin is a foreland basin depends on the
common features of foreland basins characteristic [2].
A foreland basin occurs when a mountain overload.
Therefore, due to exert significant mass that caused
inability of the crust to bear the amount of sediments,
the sediments accumulations subside and forming a
foreland basin. The study area is dominated by shallow
marine and deltaic marine sediments [3]. During early
Miocene, major tectonic event deformed which
involve of NW Borneo uplifted and some sediments
eroded [4]. This leads to changes of the depositional
environment to shallow water deltaic settings. This
field also can be described as an open-coast tidal flat
due to preoccupy of shallow marine and delta
depositional environment. Common structures that
deformation are hummocky cross-stratified
sandstones, tide generated hearing bone, bioturbaded
sandstones and overlaying mud rich sediments [5].
1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT
Nyalau Formation is a tidal sandstone depositional
environment, most of the sandstone reservoir quality
affected by diagenesis. The diagenesis alteration
phases and impact to the common tidal sandstone
facies in this formation are not yet to be discovered.
There are a lot of researches involving diagenesis
alteration of Nyalau Formation in Bintulu, Sarawak;
however, a focus research regarding diagenesis is
ignored. Therefore, this study should explain details
diagenesis alteration information and furthers the
investigation of the effect of diagenesis to the reservoir
quality.
1.3 OBJECTIVES
The main objective of this project is to study the
diagenesis in Nyalau formation and identify the

*
This technical paper was prepared for Final Year Project
as a part of FYP requirements.
1
diagenetic alteration in tidal sandstone deposits. A
prediction of the Nyalau Formation reservoir quality
with respect to diagenesis will be included in the final
results.
a precise microscopic technique analysis is required
for validating the interpretation. Table below showing
the changes of diagenesis and the process
TABLE 1. Table of Diagenesis Process

1.4 SCOPE OF STUDY

The location of the study is on Nyalau formation
at Bintulu, Sarawak which involves two outcrops.
Every outcrop will be measured according to their
bedding for constructing sedimentary log. As for this
study focusing more in diagenesis diversification, a
correlation between facies and diagenesis types will be
presented in the paper for a deeper understanding of
diagenesis alteration in Nyalau formation. A thin
section analysis for detecting the pore spaces in the
samples and air permeability method with TinyPerm2
device will be used for measuring the ability of the
samples to transmit fluid.

LITERATURE REVIEW

Diagenesis defines as physical, chemical and

biological post-depositional processes during
assemblages of the sedimentations and the reactions of
their interstitial pore waters in attempt to reach textural
and geochemical equilibrium with their environment
[6][7]). Based on Worden and Burley (2003), anything
that commits of making sediments into sedimentary
rock, from weathering to metamorphism during deep METHODOLOGY
burial is diagenesis [8]. There are three types of
diagenesis, which are Eodiagenesis, Mesodiagenesis There are two parts of main experimentation that
and Telodiagenesis, Eodiagenesis is the early need to be completed in this study, which are
formation of diagenesis, occurs during burial of sedimentology determination and petrophysical
sediments. This early diagenesis develops at or near analysis. Total of 26 samples have been taken from the
surface of the sediments where the chemistry of the outcrops for further lab analysis which includes
interstitial waters is controlled mainly by the sieving and petrography analysis. Sedimentology
depositional environment [9][10] Commonly known determination will be performed during fieldwork at
as during diagenesis developments types, the outcrop and petrophysical analysis will be attained
Mesodiagenesis types occurs after the sediment free with the samples collected.
from the depositional environment impact [8].
Porosity changes in diagenesis is the main 3.1 SEDIMENTARY LOGGING
objectives of the researches regarding diagenesis and
The sedimentary log will be identified during the
reservoir quality. Diagenesis system discovered
field work, which the structural geometry and the
porosity in terms of (1) origin, (2) amount, (3)
dimension of the strata will be recorded in meter scale
subsurface distribution, (4) pore-size distribution, (5)
and tabulated to determine the facies distribution. Due
pore shape, (6) surface area and (7) attendant
to heterogeneity of the formation based on the former
permeability [11]. Originally, when transported by
research conducted, sample will be taken to validate
wind or water, the primary porosity should be around
that the present geomorphology and geology of the
35 to 40 percent and when diagenesis took over, initial
formation correlates previous case studies done and to
porosity will be vanished [11]. Diagenesis
construct facies log. Grain size analysis involving
development will customize the original pore network
sieving lab for classifying sediments sizes and types
of the formation and the fundamental mechanisms of
have been done. The evaluation of the results will be
diagenesis affecting the reservoir quality are
computed by a computer program called
compaction, cementation, dissolution and
GRADISTAT for grain size statistic.
recrystallization. In order to verify a diagenesis effect,

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3.2 PETROPHYSICAL ANALYSIS 10. Steps 3 to 10 are repeated by replacing with other
samples.
All the outcrop samples taken during field work
are used for petrographic interpretation. The
petrographic interpretations require a thin section 3.4 PERMEABILITY
mainly for identification of mineral alteration due to
Air permeability tester is used for the quantitative
diagenesis which is conducted during laboratory work.
and qualitative analysis of permeability of the outcrop.
A thin section is a laboratory preparation of a rock,
The device name TinyPerm2 will be used as an in-situ
mineral or soil sample for use with a polarizing
permeability measurement. The flow rate and pressure
petrographic microscope. A thin sliver of rock is cut
will be monitored as the results of the experiment.
from the sample with a diamond saw or laser, mounted
From the readings obtained by the TinyPerm2
on a glass slide and then ground smooth using
machine, a series of calculation according to the
progressively finer abrasive grit (SiC silicon carbide)
formula to convert from TinyPerm pressure readings
until the sample is only 0.03 mm (30 micrometers)
to permeability. The formula as per below,
thick. When placed between two polarizing filters set
at right angles to each other, the optical properties of = (0.8206)10 + 12.8737
the minerals in the thin section alter the color and
= 2 ,
intensity of the light as seen by the viewer. Besides, it
=
is also for mineralogy identification, percentage of
minerals, detect present of matrix and pore space. The The Error! Reference source not found. below
porosity analysis also involves thin section as it will shows the TinyPerm2 with the components of it
also be used for porosity count.

3.3 GRAIN SIZE ANALYSIS

The samples undergo two types of grain size
analysis, sieving analysis and thin section analysis for
grain size. As diagenesis occurs in the smallest scale
of grains, an investigation for miniature grain
distributions are needed to ensure the results of the
research. Where the microscale grain size by using the
thin section and the macroscale by sieving lab which
includes GRADISTAT software for further analysis.
Steps for Sieve Analysis: FIGURE 1. TinyPerm2 with components of it

1. Each of the sediment sample is dried for a certain 1. Hanger and Plunger
period until the water content is removed. 2. Vacuum Cylinder
2. 100g of high tide sand is weighed and recorded. 3. Pressure Transducer Enclosure
3. The sieves, ranging from 63m to 2mm of screen 4. Documentation and Calibration
opening size are cleaned by using brush to expel 5. Microprocessor and Control Unit
any sediment that detach within the screen 6. Electrical Cable
opening. 7. Spare Nozzle
4. Each sieve and bottom pan is weighed and 8. Silly Putty
recorded. 9. Artists Eraser
5. The sieve is stacked on one another by placing the 10. Carrying Case
biggest size of screen opening on the top with
decreasing size of screen opening going
downward. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
6. The high tide sand is poured into the top sieve and
the cap is placed over it. 4.1 MAP OF STUDY AREA
7. The sieve stack is placed in the sieves shaker and
shook for 3 minutes. It is then shifted in the
opposite shaking movement. 4.1.1 BASE MAP
8. After removing the stack from the shaker, each The base map shows 15 meters contour of the
sieve and the bottom pan with its retained study area which displayed the two outcrop locations.
sediment is weighed and recorded. The outcrop 1 coordinate is 348.13 N, 113031.48
9. The retained sediment is observed and recorded and outcrop 2 is 3733.99 N, 113221.05. Based on
the map, the outcrops are easily accessible as the
3
locations are beside main road surrounded by some
vegetation. The elevation of outcrop 1 is 203m above
Mean Sea Level (MSL) while outcrop 2 is 53m MSL.

FIGURE 2. Base Map of Bintulu

4.1.2 GEOLOGICAL MAP

In this geological map include three ages of
sediment which are Paleogene sediments, Neogene
sediments and an intrusion of Triassic to late Triassic
sediments. The formation involves in this study is a
Neogene age type of sediment marked as blue color.
Located near marine, the outcrops undergo tidal
depositional history with some facies characteristic
left as a proof of deposition. FIGURE 4. Sedimentary Log for Outcrop 1 and
Outcrop 2

4.3 PETROGRAPHY ANALYSIS

Figure 5 below showing the summarization of
the petrography results with the prediction stages of
the samples. Based on the sample number shown, it

FIGURE 3. Geological Map of Bintulu

4.2 SEDIMENTARY LOG

FIGURE 4 below are the sedimentary log for
outcrop 1 and outcrop 2. Almost 25 meters height for
outcrop 1 and 13.5 meters for outcrop 2, both outcrops
contained similar facies characteristics. In outcrop 1
hummocky cross stratification can be seen in 2 meters
thick and herringbone features more than 3 meters
thick.

4

FIGURE 5. Summary of Thin Sections Analysis
can be compared with the sedimentary log in FIGURE
4, where samples starting with SB are from outcrop 1
and samples that started with QB are from outcrop 2.
The samples location can be compared with FIGURE
4, sample number taken have been mention in notes
section.
4.4 GRAIN SIZE ANALYSIS
By the trinary diagram in figure 6 shown below, it
clearly can be seen that these outcrops have mainly 5%
to 30% of sand with more than 50% gravel. This lead
to conclude that the sediments of Tidal sandstone,
Nyalau formation is gravelly sand. The average grain
size for the whole outcrop samples is from fine to very
coarse, this is normal as tidal environment deposition
history includes both continental and marine
environment resulting by the tidal current activity.
Sorting average for the samples is poorly to very
poorly sorted with phi ranging from 1 to 4, indication
of the massive depositional environment. As a
measure of symmetry distribution, skewness
measurement for all the samples is coarse to very
coarse skewed, identification of an excess coarse
materials. The kurtosis distribution shows from
mesokurtic to extremely leptokurtic, where the
spreading is very flat to very peak.
80%
Sandy Gravel
Gravel
30% ly
Sand
5%
FIGURE 6. Trinary Diagram showing the sand
domination
4.5 POROSITY PERMEABILITY GRAPH
The graph for porosity versus permeability have
been plotted in figure 7 below. Porosity ranges more
than 15%, consider as good to high and permeability
more than 50mD to almost 1000mD can be described
as high permeability. The red colors indicate coarse
grain while blue indicates fine grain samples. Tidal
sandstone depositions normally contained both fine
and coarse because fine grain comes from marine
environment while coarse grain from continental.
Therefore, both fine and coarse grains are high
permeability and high porosity.
5

FIGURE 7. Porosity vs Permeability Graph
CONCLUSION
The facies log for outcrop 1 and outcrop 2 consists
of common tidal sandstone sedimentary structures.
Sedimentary logs, showing the positions of the
samples taken and basic summarizations of the facies
characteristic present. Facies type existed in the
outcrops are Hummocky cross bedding, Herringbone
cross bedding, Through cross bedding, Planar cross
bedding, Wavy, Lenticular, Bioturbidation and Flaser
sedimentary structures. Grain analysis, determine the
origins of the sediments which mostly mixed from
continental and marine environment due to tidal
deposition due tidal energy interrupted the depositions.
The thin section of the mineral changes from top
outcrops to bottom outcrops based on figure 5 showing
the summarize of diagenetic alterations in the
formation with the percentage of porosity. These
outcrops have all three stages of diagenesis which are
Eodiagenesis, Mesodiagenesis and Telodiagenesis.
Telodiagenesis eventually will affecting all the
samples due to uplifting activity in Borneo causing the
samples to be weathered, thus most of the upper
samples showing loosen pores and high porosity.
Petrography analysis, the summary of mineral changes
from top samples to the bottom where most of the
samples indicates eodiagenesis and the porosity count
in all samples are more than 15%.
Based on facies characteristic, diagenetic
alteration can be seen:
Bioturbidation characteristic of diagenetic
alteration showing very poor distribution of grain size,
some loosen pores observed due to the hollow space
activity by microorganism.
Wavy types show matrix accumulations around
grains, where it is the effect of transgression and
regression deposition. The grains are highly
compacted, however, porosity existed still almost 15%
which are fair.
Flaser have high porosity between grains. Minor
matrix accumulations, showing mud presents but low.
Through cross bedding showing poorly sorted
grains in thin section but high porosity, however in
outcrop 2 the locations of this type of facies is almost
to bottom, resulting in high compacted grains with
reduction of porosity.
Herringbone cross bedding located at the top
layer, showing high porosity value with less
compacted grains. The grains are poorly sorted with
mixture of fine to coarse grains.
Hummocky cross bedding very poorly sorting
indicates high energy, high porosity.
Planar Bedding have good porosity although it is
located at the bottom of the outcrop.
It can be concluded that the reservoir quality of
tidal sandstone deposits, Nyalau formation is a good
reservoir. Based on Porosity-Permeability graph
showing high permeability and high porosity of
sediments in both fine and coarse grains.
FURTHER STUDY
The main issue in this project is to identify a
quality reservoir for future potential reservoir based on
a microscale method. However, in achieving a raw and
non-weathered data, thin sections from subsurface
samples are required to have a better petrography
analysis. More research which focusing on the changes
of chemical using various field of analysis will help in
precise diagenetic alteration prediction. Further
studies of mesoscopic techniques which include core
analysis should be done for a better understanding of
reservoir quality for the formation. In addition, as the
results of this study would not be the main
consideration in predicting reservoir quality, a deep
investigation in log interpretation is needed. This is by
virtue of well logging method could explain more
details for the formation below the surface of the earth.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Deepest appreciation to my supervisor, Dr.
Numair Ahmed Siddiqui for an endless support
through my final year project. Without his constant
guidance and persistent help, this dissertation would
not have been possible. Special thanks to my team
member, Baxter Yong, for all assist during fieldwork
in Bintulu, Sabah and throughout our final year
project. Most importantly, an express of gratitude to
my family members for continuous encouragement on
all accounts. Additionally, an acknowledgement to my
6
friend, Nurul Syaza binti Mohamad for never ending
helps and knowledge sharing.

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