SEM Analysis
Well VLA-834
Sample No: 110 Depth: 9287.9ft
Formation: Misoa
Plate 1C
A moderately sorted fine (lower) grained sandstone (A). The sample is weakly
laminated by concentrations of clays and subtle variations in grain-size (A).
The detrital mineralogy is overwhelmingly dominated by quartz. Minor amounts
of plagioclase feldspar grains are also present.
The diagenetic mineralogy comprises quartz and clays. Authigenic quartz takes
the form of overgrowths (commonly up to 30mm in thickness), which although
generally incomplete are locally interlocking and pore-occluding. Quartz
overgrowths commonly partially enclose clay minerals (B), and it appears that
the presence of the clay has locally inhibited overgrowth formation. The
overgrowths locally take the form of microquartz intergrown with clays.
Authigenic clay minerals are dominated by kaolinite (B) which takes the form of
Sample Type: Core
Reservoir: C-6-I
Plate 1D
books and ragged plates, and more rarely has a blocky habit. The kaolinite com-
monly forms pore-filling aggregates. Illitic clays are commonly grain-coating
and have a matted to wispy form (B). Illite is also present as fine wispy exten-
sions on kaolinite plates.
The reservoir quality of this sample is moderate. Intergranular pores are locally
up to ~75mm in size, but connectivity is generally through microporous networks
associated with clay minerals, so although total porosity is good, permeability is
likely to be moderate at best. Locally pores are completely occluded by quartz
overgrowths. Minor clay-rich laminations will further impede permeability in
the vertical direction.
 SEM Analysis
Well VLA-834
Sample No: N.D. Depth: 9320.3ft
Formation: Misoa
Plate 5C
A well sorted fine (lower) grained sandstone (A). The sample appears massive
at the scale of SEM.
The detrital mineralogy is overwhelmingly dominated by quartz, with minor
amounts of plagioclase feldspar grains. Rare lithic fragments / mudclasts have a
dominantly illitic composition.
The diagenetic mineralogy comprises quartz and clays. Authigenic quartz takes
the form of overgrowths (commonly up to 30mm in thickness), which although
generally incomplete are locally interlocking and pore-occluding. Quartz
overgrowths commonly partially enclose clay minerals (B), and it appears that
the presence of the clay has locally inhibited overgrowth formation. The
overgrowths locally display pitted surface textures. Authigenic clay minerals
Sample Type: Core
Reservoir: C-6-I
Plate 5D
consist of kaolinite and illitic clay. Kaolinite (B) takes the form of books and
ragged plates, and generally forms pore-filling aggregates. Illitic clays are com-
monly grain-coating (B, coating clay-rich clast) and have webbed to wispy forms,
locally matted. Wispy illite is commonly pore-bridging (B), and is also present
as fine extensions on kaolinite plates.
The reservoir quality of this sample is moderate. Intergranular pores are locally
locally up to 50mm in size, but connectivity is generally through microporous
networks associated with clay minerals, so although total porosity is moderately
good, permeability is likely to be moderate at best. Locally pores are completely
occluded by quartz overgrowths.
 SEM Analysis
Well VLA-834
Sample No: 307 Depth: 9325.8ft
Formation: Misoa
Plate 6C
A moderately well sorted very fine (upper) grained sandstone (A). The sample
appears massive at the scale of SEM.
The detrital mineralogy is overwhelmingly dominated by quartz., with minor
amounts of plagioclase feldspar grains and rare mica flakes also present. Rare
lithic fragments / mudclasts have a dominantly illitic composition.
The diagenetic mineralogy is dominated by authigenic quartz, present as
overgrowths (commonly up to 30mm in thickness), which are commonly inter-
locking and pore-occluding. Locally microquartz overgrowths are present. Quartz
overgrowths partially enclose clay minerals (B), although pore-bridging illite
appears to post-date the development of quartz overgrowths (B). Authigenic
clay minerals consist of kaolinite and illitic clay. Kaolinite generally takes the
Sample Type: Core
Reservoir: C-6-I
Plate 6D
form of books and ragged plates (commonly with illitic extensions), and locally
has a blocky form or is present as verms (up to 25mm in length). The kaolinite
forms pore-filling and partially pore-filling aggregates. Illitic clays are com-
monly present as a highly microporous pore-filling phase (B) with webbed to
wispy forms. Rarely the illite is partially grain-coating. Trace amounts of pyrite
form isolated crystals up to ~3mm in size. Calcium sulphate, present in trace
amounts as very fine laths (<10mm in length), may be a drilling mud precipitate.
The reservoir quality of this sample is moderately good. Intergranular pores are
locally up to ~60mm in size, and are locally smooth walled due to quartz
overgrowths. Connectivity is variable due to the quartz overgrowths locally be-
ing pore-occluding, and the presence of patchy pore-filling clays.
 SEM Analysis
Well VLA-834
Sample No: 318 Depth: 9336.6ft
Formation: Misoa
Plate 8C
A well sorted fine (lower) grained sandstone (A). The sample appears massive
at the scale of SEM.
The detrital mineralogy is overwhelmingly dominated by quartz, with trace
amounts of plagioclase feldspar grains also present.
The diagenetic mineralogy comprises quartz and clays. Authigenic quartz takes
the form of overgrowths (commonly up to 30mm in thickness), which although
generally incomplete are locally interlocking and pore-occluding (A). Quartz
overgrowths commonly partially enclose clay minerals (B), and it appears that
the presence of the clay has locally inhibited overgrowth formation. The
overgrowths locally display pitted surface textures. Authigenic clay minerals
consist of kaolinite and illitic clay. Kaolinite takes the form of books and rag-
Sample Type: Core
Reservoir: C-6-I
Plate 8D
ged plates (commonly with illitic extensions, B), and is more rarely present as
short verms. The kaolinite generally forms pore-filling, or partially pore-fill-
ing, aggregates. Illitic clays are matted to wispy (B) and are a grain-coating
phase.
The reservoir quality of this sample is moderate. Intergranular pores are locally
up to ~75mm in size, but are commonly fragmented by the presence of clays, and
significantly reduced or locally occluded by the development of quartz
overgrowths. Connectivity is commonly through microporous networks asso-
ciated with clay minerals, so although total porosity is good, permeability is
likely to be moderate at best.
 SEM Analysis
Well VLA-834
Sample No: 408 Depth: 9346.5ft
Formation: Misoa
Plate 9C
A moderately well sorted very fine (upper) grained sandstone (A). The sample appears
massive at the scale of SEM.
The detrital mineralogy is dominated by quartz, with minor amounts of plagioclase
feldspar grains also present.
Diagenetic phases are abundant, and are dominated by calcite cement, which has a
patchy distribution (A), and is commonly pore-occluding and poikilotopic. The calcite
is non-ferroan and is seen to enclose other diagenetic phases. Authigenic quartz com-
monly takes the form of overgrowths (up to ~25mm in thickness), which although gen-
erally incomplete are locally interlocking and pore-occluding. Quartz overgrowths
commonly partially enclose clay minerals (B). Microquartz overgrowths are also mod-
erately common. Trace amounts of authigenic ?rutile are locally partially enclosed by
quartz overgrowths. Rarely, fine laths of albite have formed along ?cleavage planes of
Sample Type: Core
Reservoir: C-6-I
Plate 9D
corroded feldspar grains.
Authigenic clays are present in moderate amounts. Kaolinite takes the form of loosely
packed books, up to ~10mm in diameter. Illite is a predominantly grain-coating phase,
present as thin matted aggregates, grain perpendicular platelets and wispy extensions
on other phases. Chloritic clays are generally poorly crystalline, taking the form of
loosely packed ragged plates and short verms (B).
The reservoir quality of this sample is poor. Intergranular pores are locally preserved,
but have a very patchy distribution. The majority of macropores in the sample have
been occluded by calcite cement. Pore connectivity is commonly through microporous
networks associated with clay minerals. Overall reservoir quality will depend prima-
rily on the extent of calcite cementation.
 SEM Analysis
Well VLA-834
Sample No: 409 Depth: 9347.5ft
Formation: Misoa
Plate 10C
A moderately well sorted fine (lower) grained sandstone (A). The sample ap-
pears massive at the scale of SEM. The detrital mineralogy is dominated by
quartz, with rare corroded feldspar grains also present. Very minor amounts of
detrital clays are generally matted in appearance.
Diagenetic phases are abundant, and are dominated by calcite cement, which is
generally pore-occluding and poikilotopic (A). The calcite is largely non-
ferroan, but is locally weakly ferroan, as indicated by EDX analysis, and is
seen to enclose other diagenetic phases. Authigenic quartz commonly takes
the form of overgrowths (up to ~30mm in thickness), which are locally inter-
locking and pore-occluding. Quartz overgrowths partially enclose clay miner-
Sample Type: Core
Reservoir: C-6-I
Plate 10D
als. Microquartz overgrowths are present in minor amounts.
Authigenic clays are present in moderate amounts. Kaolinite takes the form of
short verms and ragged plates, and locally appears to be recrystallising from
detrital clays (B). Illitic clays have matted to wispy forms. Wispy illite is
locally extensive, overgrowing kaolinite plates (B).
The reservoir quality of this sample is negligible. Intergranular pores are have
been occluded by cements, primarily calcite, and clays. Pore connectivity is
solely through microporous networks associated with clay minerals.
 SEM Analysis
Well VLA-834
Sample No: 413 Depth: 9351.3ft
Formation: Misoa
Plate 11C
A well sorted fine (lower) grained sandstone (A). The sample appears massive
at the scale of SEM.
The detrital mineralogy is overwhelmingly dominated by quartz, with trace
amounts of plagioclase feldspar grains.
The diagenetic mineralogy comprises quartz and clays. Authigenic quartz takes
the form of overgrowths (commonly up to ~25mm in thickness), which are gen-
erally incomplete, but rarely are interlocking and pore-occluding. Quartz
overgrowths commonly partially enclose clay minerals (B), and it appears that
the presence of the clay has significantly inhibited overgrowth formation.
Authigenic clay minerals consist of kaolinite and illitic clay. Kaolinite (B) gen-
erally takes the form of plates and short verms (commonly 5-15mm in length),
Sample Type: Core
Reservoir: C-6-I
Plate 11D
and locally has a blocky form. The kaolinite generally forms pore-filling, or
partially pore-filling, aggregates. Illitic clays are matted to wispy (B) and are
generally grain-coating.
The reservoir quality of this sample is moderate. Intergranular pores have been
significantly reduced and fragmented by the development of clays, and further
reduced in size by the formation of quartz overgrowths. Although intergranular
pores are locally ~30-40mm in size connectivity is commonly reduced to
microporous networks associated with clay minerals. Total porosity is moder-
ately good to good, but permeability is likely to be moderate at best.
 SEM Analysis
Well VLA-834
Sample No: 515 Depth: 9371.5ft
Formation: Misoa
Plate 13C
A moderately well sorted fine (upper) grained sandstone (A). The sample ap-
pears massive at the scale of SEM.
The detrital mineralogy is dominated by quartz, with trace amounts of plagioclase
feldspar grains and rare ?mudclasts (Fe-rich / ?chloritic composition) also present.
The diagenetic mineralogy is dominated by authigenic quartz, present as
overgrowths (commonly up to 20-40mm in thickness) and interlocking / pore-
occluding. Locally microquartz overgrowths are present, and are intergrown
with grain-coating clay. Quartz overgrowths partially enclose clay minerals
(B). Authigenic clay minerals consist of kaolinite, illite and chlorite. Kaolinite
variously takes the form of ragged plates and short verms (up to ~10mm) and
Sample Type: Core
Reservoir: C-6-I
Plate 13D
locally has a blocky habit. Illitic extensions are present locally, and are particu-
larly associated with ragged / platy kaolinite. The kaolinite commonly forms
pore-filling aggregates enclosed at the margins by authigenic quartz.
Illitic clays are very fine, with a matted to platy grain-coating habit, locally
forming wispy extensions. Trace amounts of chlorite are also grain-coating,
forming very finely crystalline grain-perpendicular plates (up to ~5mm, B).
The reservoir quality of this sample is very poor. The majority of intergranular
pores are have been occluded by quartz overgrowths. Pore connectivity is pre-
dominantly through microporous networks associated with clay minerals.
 SEM Analysis
Well VLA-834
Sample No: N.D. Depth: 9439.4ft
Formation: Misoa
Plate 15C
A moderately well sorted very fine (upper) grained sandstone (A). The sample
appears massive at the scale of SEM.
The detrital mineralogy is dominated by quartz, with trace amounts of plagioclase
feldspar grains and muscovite mica flakes. Mica flakes are compactionally de-
formed, and locally have slightly splayed margins (B). Detrital clays are mod-
erately common and have a predominantly illitic composition although EDX
analysis indicates the presence of significant amounts of Fe locally.
The diagenetic mineralogy is dominated by clay minerals, which consist of
kaolinite and illite. Kaolinite commonly has a blocky habit (B), and more rarely
forms short verms (up to ~10mm). Illite is generally present as a grain-coating
clay with a matted to platy form. Wispy extensions are rare. Authigenic quartz
Sample Type: Core
Reservoir: C-6-I
Plate 15D
takes the form of overgrowths (locally up to ~20mm in thickness), which are
generally incomplete, and commonly partially enclose clay minerals (B). These
overgrowths locally exhibit pitted surface textures (B). Microquartz overgrowths
are present locally intergrown with clay minerals. It appears that the presence
of common clays has inhibited overgrowth formation.
The reservoir quality of this sample is moderately poor to poor. Intergranular
macropores are rare. The majority of porosity within the sample is present as
microporosity within clay aggregates. Permeability is likely to be low.
 SEM Analysis
Well VLA-834
Sample No: 803 Depth: 9461.1ft
Formation: Misoa
Plate 16C
A moderately well sorted fine (upper) grained sandstone (A). The sample ap-
pears massive at the scale of SEM.
The detrital mineralogy is dominated by quartz, with trace amounts of plagioclase
feldspar grains. Minor amounts of detrital clays (B) have a predominantly illitic
composition as indicated by EDX analysis.
The diagenetic mineralogy comprises quartz and clay minerals. Authigenic quartz
takes the form of overgrowths (A, B), up to ~25mm in thickness, which are
generally incomplete, but are rarely interlocking and pore-occluding. Com-
monly the overgrowths partially enclose clay minerals. The overgrowths lo-
cally exhibit pitted surface textures. It appears that the presence of common
clays has inhibited overgrowth formation. Kaolinite (B) is variously present as
Sample Type: Core
Reservoir: C-6-I
Plate 16D
loosely packed verms and plates and locally has a blocky habit. In places the
kaolinite is intergrown with illitic clays. Illite is generally present as a grain-
coating clay with a matted to platy, locally wispy form. Wispy extensions are
also present locally on kaolinite and detrital clays.
The reservoir quality of this sample is moderately poor to poor. Intergranular
macropores are rare. The majority of porosity within the sample is present as
microporosity within clay aggregates. Permeability is thought to be moderately
low to low.
 SEM Analysis
Well VLA-834
Sample No: N.D. Depth: 9468.3ft
Formation: Misoa
Plate 18C
A moderately well sorted very fine (upper) grained sandstone (A). The sample
appears massive at the scale of SEM.
Quartz is the major detrital phase recognised, with trace amounts of plagioclase
feldspar also present.
The diagenetic mineralogy is dominated by quartz and clays. Authigenic quartz
takes the form of overgrowths (generally 10-25mm in thickness), which are lo-
cally interlocking and pore-occluding. Trace amounts of authigenic albite are
present within possible ?dissolution pores. Authigenic clay minerals are domi-
nated by kaolinite, which generally forms short verms (up to 30-10mm in size)
varying from loosely to tightly (B) packed. The kaolinite forms pore-filling
Sample Type: Core
Reservoir: C-6-I
Plate 18D
aggregates which are commonly partially enclosed around the margins by quartz
overgrowths (B). Illitic clays form matted aggregates and commonly also forms
wispy extentions which are locally also present overgrowing kaolinite.
The reservoir quality of this sample is moderate. Intergranular pores are locally
up to ~50-60mm in size, but are commonly fragmented by the presence of clay
minerals. Connectivity is variable and is locally reduced to microporous net-
works associated with clay minerals. Permeability is thought to be moderate at
best.
 SEM Analysis
Well VLA-834
Sample No: N.D. Depth: 9497.1ft
Formation: Misoa
Plate 20C
A moderately well sorted very fine (lower) grained sandstone (A). The sample ap-
pears massive at the scale of SEM.
The detrital mineralogy is dominated by quartz, with minor amounts of plagioclase
feldspar grains also present.
The diagenetic mineralogy is dominated by quartz and clays. Authigenic quartz takes
the form of overgrowths (commonly up to ~20mm in thickness), which are commonly
incomplete, but are locally interlocking and pore-occluding. Quartz overgrowths com-
monly partially enclose clay minerals (B), and it appears that the presence of the clay
has significantly inhibited overgrowth formation. Authigenic clay minerals comprise
kaolinite and illitic clay, with very minor amounts of chlorite. Kaolinite (B) generally
takes the form of plates and short verms (commonly 5-15mm in length), and also
Sample Type: Core
Reservoir: C-6-I
Plate 20D
exhibits a blocky form. The kaolinite generally forms pore-filling, or partially pore-
filling, aggregates. Illitic clays are predominantly a grain-coating phase, although
they locally form pore-filling masses, and are matted to wispy (B). Chlorite forms
very finely crystalline plates (<5mm) and is generally intergrown with illitic clays.
The reservoir quality of this sample is moderately poor to poor. Intergranular pores
have been significantly reduced and fragmented by the development of clays, and
further reduced in size by the formation of quartz overgrowths. Connectivity is pre-
dominantly through microporous networks associated with clay minerals, so although
total porosity is moderately good, permeability is likely to be low.