Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
FTKE , USAKTI
2017
ROCK FABRIC The goal of reservoir characterization is
to describe the spatial distribution of
petrophysical parameters such as
porosity, permeability, and saturation.
Petrophysical properties in themselves
have no spatial information and must be
linked with geologic models before they
can be displayed in 3D. This is best done
by developing relationships between rock
fabrics and petrophysical properties
because permeability and saturation are
controlled by pore-size distribution,
which a product of depositional and
diagenetic history. Numerical engineering
data and interpretive geologic data are
linked at the rock fabric level because
pore structure is fundamental to
petrophysical properties and pore
structure is the result of spatially
distributed depositional and diagenetic
processes
Rock-Fabric Classification
Porosity, permeability, and capillary pressure
data (used to estimate saturation) are obtained
from core analysis. Even in the most heavily
cored reservoirs, however, cores constitute a
fraction of their available wellbore data. The
most common source of wellbore data are
wireline logs. Porosity values are readily
obtained from wireline logs and saturation can
be obtained from a combination of porosity and
resistivity logs using the Archie equation and
other methods. Permeability values, however,
cannot be obtained directly from wireline logs in
carbonate reservoirs because of the complexity
and large variability of carbonate fabrics.
The purpose of this module is to illustrate the
large variety of carbonate fabrics and present
the rock fabric method of relating these fabrics
to permeability. Capillary properties and
saturation can also be related to the rock
fabrics but those relationships will be presented
in a future module. Methods for integrating this
information into wireline-log analysis will also
be presented in a future module.
Carbonate Pore Type -1
The classification used here has
been presented by Lucia (1983,
1995, 1999). The foundation of
the Lucia classification is the
concept that pore-size distribution
controls permeability and
saturation and that pore-size
distribution is related to rock
fabric. Lucia (1983) showed that
the most useful method of
characterizing rock fabrics
petrophysically is to divide pore
types into pore space located
between grains and crystals,
called interparticle porosity, and
all other pore space, called vuggy
porosity
Carbonate Pore Type -2
Vuggy porosity is pore space that is
within grains or crystals or that is
significantly larger than grains or
crystals; that is pore space that is not
interparticle. Vuggy pore space is
further subdivided into two groups
based on how the vugs are
interconnected; (1) vugs that are
interconnected only through the
interparticle pore network are termed
separate vugs and (2) vugs that form
an interconnected pore system are
termed touching vugs. Vugs are
commonly present as dissolved
grains, fossil chambers, fractures,
and large irregular cavities. Although
fractures may not be formed by
depositional or diagenetic processes,
fracture porosity is included because
it defines a unique type of porosity in
carbonate reservoir rocks.
Classification of Interparticle Pore Space
Interparticle porosity is defined as pore space located between grains or crystals that is not
significantly larger than the particles (generally <2 x particle size). The pore-size distribution
can be described in terms of particle size, sorting and interparticle porosity. The volume of
interparticle pore space is important because it relates to pore-size distribution.
Rock-Fabric Classification
Separate vugs are defined as pore space that is interconnected only through the
interparticle porosity. Touching vugs are defined as pore space that forms an
interconnected pore system independent of the interparticle porosity
Separate-Vug Pore Space
Separate-vug pore space is defined as pore space that is
1) either within particles or is significantly larger than the
particle size (generally >2 x particle size), and
2) 2) is interconnected only through the interparticle
porosity. Separate vugs are typically fabric-selective in
their origin.
The first step is to classify the rock fabric and determine the
petrophysical class. The lithology is given because it cannot be determined
from the photo. In this example the lithology is limestone. The rock fabric is
grainstone because the fabric is grain supported and no lime mud is
present. Grainstones are petrophysical class 1. Both the ROCK FABRIC
CLASSIFICATION and the PETROPHYSICAL CLASS will be entered into
the approriate columns of your worksheet.
The second step is to identify the grains because pore space is classified
according to its location relative to the grains. In this image only the grains
are shown. They are approximately 500 microns in diameter and are
relatively well sorted. Grains with concentric rings are ooids. Some grains
are composite grains. You do not need to identify the grains.
The third step is to look within the grains for pore space. Pore space
within the grains is classified as separate-vug porosity and an accurate
visible estimate of separate-vug porosity is needed to estimate the
amount of interparticle porosity. In this example the separate-vug pore
space is colored green and is estimated to be 5%. The value for
SEPARATE VUG (Svug) POROSITY will be entered in your worksheet.
The fourth step is to look between the grains. In this example pore
space (in red) and calcite cement (whitish color) is located between the
grains. The red is interparticle porosity space. Although visible
interparticle porosity can be estimated it will always be different than the
total interparticle porosity because some of the pore space is too small to
be seen in thin section. Therefore, the amount of interparticle porosity is
determined by subtracting the visual estimate of separate-vug porosity
from the measured total porosity. This value is automatically calculated in
this exercise.
The fifth and last step is to estimate permeability. This is done using
the porosity permeability chart. Enter the interparticle porosity value and
go up to the appropriate petrophysical-class transform and read the
permeability value. In this case, the interparticle porosity is 15 percent
and the petrophysical class is 1.
Note that the interparticle porosity is given as a fraction rather
than as a percent because fractional porosity is used in all
engineering equations. Start on the x axis at 0.15, read up to the
class 1 transform, over to the permeability on the y axis, and read
the permeability. This is the estimated permeability; 350 md. This
value would then be entered in your worksheet.
After you have completed the exercise we will provide you with
the measured permeability values to compare with your answers. In
this example, the measured permeability is 121 md.
Example classification procedure for dolostones:
The exercise is to estimate permeability from a thin section and measured
total porosity values. We will use photomicrographs of thin sections for this
exercise. The measured porosity of the core plug for this sample is 11.4%.
The value for TOTAL POROSITY will then be entered in your worksheet
The first step is to classify the rock fabric and determine the petrophysical
class. The lithology is given because it cannot be determined from the photo. In
this example the lithology is dolostone. The precursor limestone fabric is difficult
to determine so we will call the fabric simply dolostone, or dolomudstone since
not grains are visible. If a grainstone and grain-dominated packstone precursor
fabric can be observed the classification procedure is the same as outlined in
the limestone example. The petrophysical class is determined by the dolomite
crystal size. The crystals are outlined in red is a small area. Using the scale,
measure the crystal size. Larger crystals should be used for this measurement
because the smaller crystals may be only the tip of the crystal. The crystal size
is about 120 microns and the rock fabric is large crystalline dolostone. Large
crystalline dolostones are class 1. You will then enter both the ROCK FABRIC
CLASSIFICATION and the PETROPHYSICAL CLASS into your worksheet.
The second step is to identify separate-vug porosity. In this example the
dolomite crystals are the particles and there is no pore space within the
crystals. However, there are several pores that are larger than the crystals
and could be classified as separate vugs. The rule is that only pores that are
larger than 2.5 times the dolomite crystal size can be classified as separate
vugs. A circle with a diameter of 2.5 times the crystal size is shown in yellow.
Three pores are tested but only one is more than 2.5 times crystal size, and
that pore is outlined in red and classified as a separate-vug. This vug by
have formed by dissolution of an allochem, but there is too much alteration
to tell. The volume of this vug, however, is less than 1 percent of the thin
section and separate-vug porosity is considered to be zero. You will enter
this value in your worksheet.
The third step is to look between the crystals for intercrystal pore space. All
the blue is intercrystal pore space except of the one separate vug outlined in
red. Although visible intercrystal porosity can be estimated it will always be
different than the total interparticle porosity because some of the pore space
is too small to be seen in thin section. Therefore, the amount of interparticle
porosity is determined by subtracting the visual estimate of separate-vug
porosity from the measured total porosity. This result of this calculation will
be entered in your worksheet.
The fourth and last step is to estimate permeability. This is done using the
porosity permeability chart. Enter the interparticle porosity value and go up
to the appropriate petrophysical-class transform and read the permeability
value. In this case, the interparticle porosity is 11 percent and the
petrophysical class is 1. Note that the interparticle porosity is given as a
fraction rather than as a percent because fractional porosity is used in all
engineering equations. Start on the x axis at 0.11, read up to the class 1
transform, over to the permeability on the y axis, and read the permeability.
This is the estimated permeability; 29 md. This value will be entered in your
worksheet.
After you have completed the exercise we will provide you with the
measured permeability values to compare with your answers. In this
example, the measured permeability is 25.2 md.
Summary of Key Concepts
The rock fabric approach presented here is based on the premise that pore-size
distribution controls the engineering parameters of permeability and saturation
and that pore-size distribution is related to rock fabric, a product of geologic
processes. Thus, rock fabric integrates geologic interpretation with engineering
numerical measurements.