STRATIGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF CARBONATE

ROCKS IN 2 WELLS OF THE FIELD E6,

MIOCENE, SARAWAK BASIN, MALAYSIA
Anis Aliana binti Azizdin
Bachelor of Technology (Hons)
Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
Bandar Seri Iskandar, Perak Darul Ridzuan
Email: anies96@gmail.com

Abstract— Field E6 has been appraised with a quite notable
amount of hydrocarbon which is mainly gas. Located in the
southern part of Central Luconia basin, the buildup of field E6
which consists of limestone and dolomite layers with various
porosity value covers a lateral extent of 11000 m from north to
south with a height of ca. 200m. The main uncertainty of this field
is the presence and continuity of the tight and reservoir layer. The
petrographic analysis has been done to identify the components
presence which later helps to identify and proof the
biostratigraphic age of the buildup, microfacies of the buildup as
well as determining the pore type and diagenetic features
presented along the well. The carbonate platform growth and
architecture is interpreted by analyzing the seismic sequence
stratigraphy along with the microfacies analysis which can give an
insight on the energy level of the layer. Well studies helps to
identify the high porosity (good layer) and low porosity (bad layer)
for the reservoir characterization. The identification of reservoir
layers which generally have high porosity confirmed by the pore
type in the thin section will determine the permeability of the
porous layer. Based on the interpreted well data in both wells, the
continuity of the reservoir layer has been decided and at the end
of this project, a conceptual geological model showing the location
of horizontal drilling well that has been optimized are produced.
Keywords- Stratigraphy, biostratigraphy, Central Luconia.
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND
This study focuses on the reservoir architecture of the Field
E6. The stratigraphic layer of interest is referred to as in cycle
IV and cycle V.
Since Central Luconia is the major producer of gas in
Southeast Asia, this study is an opportunity to better understand
the architecture of the buildup of field E6. The study is an
integrated project linking core data that will be correlated with
petrographic data from the thin section and seismic data. The
type of foraminifera found in the thin section will help to
determine the biostratigraphic age of the layers in field E6.
Seismic data provides information about the architecture and
sequence of the geological layers beneath the subsurface.
The expected result is an interpreted seismic section showing
stratigraphic and architecture of the layers of field E6 including
the lateral continuity and determining the lateral equivalent of
these layers in support of planning horizontal wells. The result
will be used for the geosteering when conducting the horizontal
drilling. It is crucial to determine the lateral composition of the
layer and recognize diagnostic attributes from the core and well
log.
1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT
As a major gas province, Central Luconia has high potential
to develop and create carbonate exploration opportunities.
However, geological heterogeneities relevant for the
development of the field E6 are largely of sub-seismic scale. To
support the hydrocarbon exploration, the geometry and
stratigraphy of the field must first be interpreted. However,
seismic data alone is inadequate to analyse the stratigraphy of
the geological layers of this carbonate platform.
So, the petrographic study, well studies as well as with the
seismic data analysis help to provide a critical data of the
geological layers.
The architecture and petrophysical characteristics of tight
layer is the main uncertainties that may affect the field
performance. These tight layers may separate the gas or oil
bearing part of the field into two zones. In this study, the tight
layer can be identified from core logs with the petrographic
study to support the evidence of the presence of the tight layer
by determining the type of porosity of the predicted tight layers.
The continuity of the tight layers are interpreted in the seismic
data.
The conceptual geological model needs to be produced in
this study to help with the horizontal drilling because the
continuity of the layers and the architecture of different layers
are still uncertain.
1.3 OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the research are:
1. To identify the biostratigraphic age of field E6 by
analyzing the data of well E6-3 and well E6-2.
2. To study the seismic sequence stratigraphic and the
platform growth of carbonate buildup in field E6.
3. To produce the conceptual geological model of field
E6 and optimize the position of the horizontal well.
1.4 SCOPE OF STUDY
This study focuses on field E6 of Central Luconia province.
Specifically, it is mainly focusing on determining the
stratigraphy of the field in order to update the conceptual
geological model of field E6 to support the drilling activities.
This study includes the analysis and interpretation of the
thin sections and core description along well E6-3 to be
correlated with the information of the petrographic study and
core description along well E6-2. The core log of the 1114 ft of
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core samples were provided and described based on their
characteristics.
Next, a petrographic study is conducted covering over 300
thin sections for field E6. This study will deal only 33 thin
sections between depths 6272.1ft to 6347.5ft from the well E6-
3. At the end of the thin section interpretation, the data all
interpreted thin sections available along the well E6-2 and E6-
3 are combined. Information obtained is plotted together with
the well log by using WellCad software. The gathered
information helps to identify the microfacies along the well.
The provided seismic image facilitates to study the seismic
sequence stratigraphy of the platform in order to identify the
pattern of the carbonate platform growth. At the end of this
study, the conceptual geological model is produced based on
the stratigraphic aspect to give a clearer image of the platform
architecture.
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 GEOLOGY OF SARAWAK BASIN AND
CENTRAL LUCONIA PROVINCE
The rifting and spreading of the seafloor in the South China
Sea marginal basin is closely related to the stratigraphic
evolution of the Sarawak Basin [1]. The concept of genetic
sedimentary cycle introduces a stratigraphic scheme which
subdivides the entire Tertiary sedimentary succession offshore
Sarawak into eight sedimentary cycles which starts with a
transgressive basal part, followed by a regressive unit and then
overlain by the basal transgressive unit of the next cycle [2].
Central Luconia is one of the largest carbonate provinces of
Southeast Asia. It extends over an area of 240 by 240 km [3].
At the northern part exists the Luconia shoals (present day sea
bottom), the carbonate deposition is still ongoing. However,
most platforms have been buried by successive prograding
marine deltaic siliciclastics.
2.2 MIOCENE CARBONATE FORMATION OF
CENTRAL LUCONIA
Figure 1 Location of Central Luconia and province an tectonic activities around Central Luconia and
geological province and tectonic activities around Central Luconia and Sarawak Basin [4]
Central Luconia is located in the middle of areas of
extensive tectonic activity characterized by subsidence and
faulting in the Northern part and zones of pronounced Early to
Mid-Tertiary compressional tectonic in the Southern part of
Central Luconia as shown in Figure 1 [4].
It was believed that the deposition of the carbonate began
during the early Middle Miocene on structural highs of faulted
Upper Eocene to Lower Miocene holomarine and neritic
siliciclastics [3].
Carbonate deposition started in the early Miocene but was
most abundant during middle (cycle IV) to late Miocene (cycle
V). In the middle Miocene, while the carbonate deposition
continued in the Northern part of the province, the fluvio-
deltaic clastics from Borneo prograded north-northwestward in
several cycles into the South China Sea, burying Luconia
Platform and the central and southern area of the platforms in
Central Luconia [3] [5].
In the late Miocene, in response to sea level rise, an
extensive development of carbonate build up on horsts in
Central Luconia commenced. The ages of the top carbonate
were believed to decrease from late middle Miocene to Pliocene
on the Southeastern to Northwestern transect in the buried part
of the province with continuous deposition of the clastics in the
northernmost part of the province.
2.3 HYDROCARBON EXPLORATION IN CENTRAL
LUCONIA
According to [6], exploration activities onshore of the
Sarawak started during late 1960’s. The offshore region to the
northwest of Borneo experienced rapid exploration activities
for hydrocarbon as well as high demand for fossil fuel as a
result of world industrialization in the late 1960’s.
The first offshore gas field was developed the 1970’s in
Central Luconia [7]. Central Luconia is now known as the
major gas contributor where about 60% of the Malaysian gas
reserves are located. Central Luconia is a mature gas province
with more than 65 Tcf of gas discovered to date in Miocene
carbonate build-ups buried under Miocene-Recent deltaic
clastics. The components of the buildups are corals,
foraminifera and coralline red algae. They are recognized as the
main contributors for the growth of carbonate platforms in
Central Luconia.
200 carbonate build-ups have been mapped, 120 build-ups
remain undrilled and this gives possibly appealing exploration
targets and motivations to discover the rest of the hydrocarbons
in the province.
2.3 STRATIGRAPHY OF CENTRAL LUCONIA
These cycles range in age from Eocene to present and
numbered I to VIII [8]. The deep-water argillaceous and
shallow marine siliciclastic succession was deposited in an
early synrift graben-filling sedimentation phase in Cycle I
(Figure 2).
In lower Miocene, Cycle II and III were formed during the
opening of South China Sea where the late phase of synrift
sedimentation occurs.
Widespread carbonate deposition in middle to upper
Miocene carbonate during Cycle IV and V resulted from
continuous subsidence and formation of half grabens during
overall sea level rise. During cycle V to VIII, this widespread
carbonate deposition ceased due to the influx of siliciclastic
sediments coming from the uplifted Rajang fold-thrust belt.
According to [9], the overall architecture of the Central
Luconia carbonate are determined by the net result of two main
processes: the rate of skeletal carbonate production and the rate
of change of relative sea level. Based on the balance of these
processes, four stages of platform evolution can be recognized
that resulted in different geometry of the Central Luconia
carbonate.
a) The first stage is when the rate of carbonate production
is equal to degree as rising sea level. Reef debris aggrades and
carbonate sedimentation in the lagoon will continue in a
shallow marine environment resulting in carbonate complex
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effectively grows upward and characterized as a steep organic
reef flank (Figure 2a).
Figure 2 Main development stages of carbonate buildup systems [9]
b) The second stage is when the rate in sea level is lower
than the rate of carbonate production which will create a build-
out system where the reef flat as well as the fore-reef slope
migrates seawards and the lagoon is enlarged (Figure 2b).
c) Next case is when the rise in the sea level exceeds the rate
of carbonate production. The reef-rim steps back and a build-in
system develops. The rise in sea level is not fast enough to
drown the carbonate complex above the photic zone. The
actively growing reef flat will move inwards to the
topographically elevated areas. The carbonate complex will
then submerged and establishing the shallow marine bank
(Figure 2c).
d) The final stage is when the fall in sea level greatly reduced
the rate of carbonate production. The reef flat became inactive,
the growth of coral or algae are limited to marginal rims.
(Figure 2d).
METHODOLOGY
3.1 PETROGRAPHY ANALYSIS
Thin sections were available from depth 5840.5 ft to 6347.5
ft in well E6-3 and from 5568.2 ft to 5948.3 ft for well E6-2.
Petrographic analysis was carried out by scanning the thin
sections, making photographs with magnification of the thin
sections and interpret and record the thin sections in the
provided thin section interpretation template.
3.2 QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS
Based on the information from the thin sections, the
observed characteristics including lithology, pore type, cement
type, component and diagenetic features are recorded to see the
variation or changes along the well. The quantification of the
attributes such as the mineral components, porosity and its
percentages present in thin section will be determined by point
counting preformed on thin sections. Point counting in thin
section will be conducted by using image analysis software
Jmicrovision
3.3 WELL STUDY
After the thin sections descriptions have been completed,
the descriptions data from both well E6-3 (5840.5 ft to 6347.5
ft) and E6-2 (5568.2 ft to 6133.5 ft) will be merged for the next
phase of interpretation which is the log interpretation. The
uninterpreted WellCad core log and the data set were given and
the thin section findings were digitized into WellCad.
3.4 SEISMIC STUDY
The seismic data need to be interpreted based on the
architecture of the platform growth such as the top and bottom
layer as well as the interval layers of the carbonate platform.
The well data which were placed in the seismic image were
correlated for both well to observe the continuity of the tight
layers and reservoir layers.
3.5 CONCEPTUAL GEOLOGICAL MODEL
A plausible conceptual geological model was generated
based on the interpretation of subsurface data from the Field E6
as discussed above. A scaled cross section which shows the
architecture of these layers gives guidance for drilling of
horizontal wells.
RESULT AND DISCUSSION
4.1 BIOSTRATIGRAPHIC ANALYSIS
The large benthic foraminifera that exists in this field are
Amphistegina sp., Alveolinella sp., Cycloclypeus sp.,
Lepidocyclina sp., Miogypsina sp., Operculinids sp., Sorites
sp., encrusting foraminifera.. Figure 4 and figure 5 shows the
distribution of benthic foraminifera in field E6 along well E6-3
and E6-2 respectively. There are some layers of mudstone and
crystalline texture that shows absence of benthic foraminifera.
Amphistegina sp. and Operculinids sp. are found abundant
along both wells.
Austrotrillina sp. and Miogypsina sp. are the index fossil
which can be great indicator of the biostratigraphic age for this
field since both of these index fossils first appeared in early
Miocene and the last appearance for both are in middle
Miocene. This means that both of these index fossils are
supposed to disappear in cycle V.
Based on the thin section analysis data (figure 4 and 5), the
last appearance of Austrotrillina sp. is observed at cycle IV for
both wells. However, Miogypsina sp. still exist in the cycle V.
Further analysis had been made and it is found that the
Miogypsina sp. that exist in cycle V is only the fragment of the
fossil. It can be interpreted Miogypsina had extinct in cycle V
but its fragment is transported to the shallower depth of cycle
V.
Figure 3 Fragments of Miogypsina sp. that is found in cycle V
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Figure 4 Lithology and biostratigraphic chart of well E6-2

Figure 5 Lithology and biostratigraphic chart of well E6-3

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 4.2 MICROFACIES ANALYSIS
Microfacies analysis had been made for both well to aid the
seismic sequence stratigraphy interpretation as well as to have
a brief idea on the depositional environment of these two wells.
The designation of the microfacies are made based on the
integration of the thin section analysis data along the two wells.
There are nine microfacies that has been identified based on
Figure 9 Examples of MF-4
the component composition as well as the texture of the
specimens as shown in table 1. This microfacies is characterised by the abundance of
Cycloclypeus sp. with minor amount of Amphistegina sp.,
MF-1 Crystalline Lepidocyclina sp., Operculina sp., etc. The lithology of the
microfacies is limestone. The grain size vary from medium to
coarse grained and it is poorly sorted. The porosity of this
microfacies is poor.

MF-5 Operculinid Wackestone/Packstone

Figure 6 Examples of MF-1

This microfacies is dominant in dolostone lithology and

consist of foraminifera, red algae, coral, echinoid debris and
bryozoan. The grain size is medium to coarse grained and it is
poorly sorted. Crystallization occurred due to neomorphism.
Overall, the porosity vary between poor and fair which is
dominated by microporosity and intercrystalline porosity and
minor amount of mouldic porosity.
MF-2 Lepidocyclinid Wackestone/Packstone
Figure 10 Examples of MF-5
This microfacies consist of high percentage of Operculina sp.
accompanied by other components. The lithology of this
microfacies is limestone and at some depth, the mineralogy is
dolomite. The grain size is fine to medium grained and it is
moderately sorted. The porosity for this facies vary from poor
to medium porosity.

MF-6 Encrusting Foraminifera Wackstone/Packstone

Figure 7 Examples of MF-2

This microfacies is dominated by Lepidocyclina sp., with minor

amount of other benthic foraminifera such as Operculina,
Miogypsina, etc., The lithology is limestone. This facies is
poorly sorted with medium to coarse grained. At shallower
depth, the mouldic porosity is noticed, resulted from
dissolution.
MF-3 Amphistegina Wackestone/Packstone
Figure 11 Examples of MF-6
This microfacies is dominated by encrusting foraminifera with
limestone lithology and some with dolostone lithology. The
grain size is medium to coarse and it is moderately sorted.
Overall, this microfacies shows poor to moderate porosity
distribution.

MF-7 Algal Wackstone/Packstone

Figure 8 Examples of MF-3

MF-3 is characterised by Amphistegina representing the

majority of the benthic foraminifera with limestone with minor
dolo-limestone as the lithology. The grain size is vary between Figure 12 Examples of MF-7

fine to medium grained and it is poorly sorted. At some depth,
digenesis features that can be observed are including fracturing
and micritisation.
MF-4 Cycloclypeus Wackestone/Packtone
This microfacies is characterized by the domination of red algae
together with other benthic foraminifera and skeletal material.
The lithology is mainly limestone and minor dolomite. Grains
are subangular to subrounded and it is moderately sorted to
poorly sorted. Overall, the porosity is fair. Processes of
micritization and fracturing also present.

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MF-8 Coral Wackestone/Packstone/Floatstone
Figure 13 Examples of MF-8
High percentage of coral dominated this microfacies with some
amount of other benthic foraminifera, red algae and other
skeletal components. The majority of the lithology is limestone
with minor dolomite layer. The grain size is medium to coarse
grained and it is poorly sorted. The porosity for this microfacies
is very poor.
MF-9 Mudstone
Figure 14 Examples of MF-9
The identification of the microfacies gave an insight
towards the depositional environment of field E6. With
evidence in seismic data, it can be concluded that almost all of
the assigned microfacies are in backreef environment; MF-1,
MF-2, MF-3, MF-5, MF-6, MF-7, MF-9. The depositional
environment for MF-4 is in the calm area in the deep marine
while MF-8 is in the reef crest environment
4.3 SEISMIC DATA ANALYSIS
From the seismic cross section, it can be observed that the
carbonate buildup is overlain by the siliciclastic progression.
as shown in figure 15, the top of the carbonate buildup is
recognized to be at -1550 millisecond whereas the base of the
carbonate layer is noticed at -1800 millisecond. The carbonate
layers are identified from the seismic cross section due to the
high amplitude response which shows the acoustic impedance
contrast between the layers. This is due to the reason that the
carbonate rock has higher compressional wave velocity and
density which contributes to high acoustic impedance.
However, the base of carbonate layer shots has low continuity
compared with the top of carbonate. The thickness of the
carbonate platform is approximated to be 200 m.
The stratigraphy of carbonate buildup E6 is interpreted
through the analysis of the seismic dataset by characterizing the
boundaries of discontinuities on the basis of the reflection
termination patterns and their continuity. The boundaries and
discontinuity occur due to the activity of the sea level rise and
carbonate production.
Few terminations that are found in the seismic section of
field E6 as shown in figure 15. Based on the comparison of well
E6-2 and E6-3 the successions within the genetic framework is
interpreted based on the microfacies distribution.
Seismic sequence 1 and 2 do not penetrated by any of the
wells since the well data only covers half of seismic sequence
3 and whole sequence 4 and 5. Thus, only sequence 3, 4 and 5
can be correlated with the microfacies distribution along the
wells. The seismic data supported that all the microfacies
existed in back reef environment but each microfacies are
differentiated by their energy during the time of deposition.
i. Sequence 1
The first sequence of carbonate platform buildup starts at
the northern part of this buildup which covers about 6 km long.
This marks the ‘start up’ phase of the carbonate buildup. The
seismic reflection is high amplitude peak and the reflection
termination onlap present at the lateral boundary of the platform
which marks the discontinuities of the horizontal seismic
reflector. Onlapping indicates that transgression had occurred
where the rate of sea level rise is high and the shoreline is
brought to the higher ground. This means that the carbonate
production were moving towards the land which later
terminates against the inclined surface which is known as
onlapping.
ii. Sequence 2
Sequence 2 of the carbonate platform growth is in the “keep
up” phase where the carbonate production exceeds the rate of
the accommodation space. The platform builds out and extends
laterally toward the southern part of the platform. In this
sequence, it can be observed that the platform is extended to 11
km long. Platform segmentation is observed and marked by
abrupt amplitude changes that may imply a facies change.
iii. Sequence 3
The platform growth proceeds to sequence 3 where the
transgression occur which can be noticed by the onlapping
termination at the lateral boundary of the platform. The
platform in this sequence is in the “catching up” phase where
the carbonate production tracks rising sea level and builds
aggradational margin.
Based on the well data, sequence 3 consist of limestone
layer for well E6-2 while for well E6-3, it consist of mixed
lithology which includes dolostone, dololimestone,
argillaceous limestone and limestone. This buildup phase is
composed mainly of algal-packstone in well E6-2 and well E6-
3 is composed of MF-5 and MF-9 at the middle of the buildup
and MF-1, MF-7, MF-3 and MF-6 are dominant toward the top
of carbonate sequence 3.
iv. Sequence 4
Another transgression occurred and created sequence 4 of
carbonate platform growth. This sequence has an average
thickness of 195.8 ft. The seismic reflection at the top of this
sequence is high amplitude peak. In this sequence, the platform
is buildup and still in the “catching up” phase, existing as a
mega platform. Sequence 4 covers the build up of cycle III,
whole cycle IV and cycle V.
The pattern of the microfacies exist in this sequence is
recognized as the abundance of MF-9 at the bottom of sequence
4, MF-7 at the middle of the sequence and interbedding of MF-
8, MF-5, MF-6 and MF-3 at the top of sequence 4 for well E6-
2.
In well E6-3, MF-3 and MF-5 are abundant at the bottom
part of sequence 4 with MF-7 and MF-8 dominating the middle
part of the platform. MF-6, MF-2 and MF-4 can be found at the
top layers of sequence 4.
v. Sequence 5
This sequence has an average thickness of 184 ft. The
carbonate platform in sequence 5 exists as pinnacles which tried
to catch up with the rise of the sea level but failed and drowned.
Sequence 5 covers the cycle IV carbonate.
Based on the microfacies analysis, from well E6-2 analysis,
it can be observed that MF-7 is very minor and it is dominated
6
by benthic foraminifera and coral microfacies. The decrease in
algae population might be due to rising in sea level which limit
the amount of light to penetrate the carbonate platform.
This means that for this sequence, the energy at the
northern part of the buildup in the deeper part is low, hence the
microfacies is mudstone and the energy increases as the depth
becomes shallower. This resulted in closer proximity of the well
to the rim as the benthic foraminifera dominated the shallower
part of this sequence.
Towards the northern part of the buildup which is based on
observation in well E6-3, MF-9 dominated the deeper part of
this sequence. Minor amount of MF-7 and MF-8 present in this
sequence as it is dominated by benthic foraminifera.
4.4 STUDY OF THE WELL LOG DATA OF WELL
E6-2 AND E6-3
The well log data for well E6-3 is provided as shown in
Figure 16 consisting of grain size, lithology, biostratigraphy,
Dunham texture, gamma ray log, neutron log, density log,
porosity log and permeability log that has been interpreted
based on the core sample. Also presence in the well data are the
type and percentage of the porosity from the petrographic
analysis. The possible tight layer zone is identified and it is
recognized by its characteristics which has low porosity and
low permeability.

Figure 15 Interpreted Seismic Data

Figure 16 Well Correlation for E6-2 and E6-3

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 Porosity cutoff of 0.1 porosity are applied in the porosity
curve attached in both well data. Layers with porosity less than
0.1 are considered low and characterized as tight layer and
layers with porosity more than 0.1 are considered high and
characterized as reservoir layer [10].
The microfacies distribution throughout the well is attached
in both wells to study the microfacies of the reservoir. Firstly,
it is identified that mudstone has a characteristic of tight layer
due to its grain size and low porosity and permeability
characteristics [10]. The layer with argillaceous mud lithology
and mudstone microfacies is found in well E6-3 from depth
5925 ft to 5950 ft and is considered tight layer 1. This tight layer
1 layer also shows high gamma ray and density log which
indicates that the layer is compact and dense. The core porosity
for this layer is about 0.1 and based on thin section porosity, the
pore type is mainly micropores which represents low porosity.
As shown in figure 16, the horizon of tight layer 1 is picked
in the seismic image and the layer is continuous until it reached
the layer in the well data E6-2. The tight layer 1 of well E6-2
consist of low porosity and low permeability layer. The layers
in well E6-2 are not very significant in characterizing as
reservoir layer or tight layer. However, the tight layer 1 can be
considered as tight since it is dominated by mouldic porosity
and micropores.
Second tight layer that is identified in well E6-3 is located
at depth 6112.5 ft to 6133.3 ft which is argillaceous mud
geology and has low porosity and permeability value. The
microfacies are Lepidocyclinid wacke-packstone and
Amphistegina wacke-packstone.
This tight layer also has a continuous horizon which extends
to well E6-2. The second tight layer of well E6-2 is located at
6008 ft to 6062 ft which comprises of limestone with thin beds
of argillaceous mud. The microfacies are mudstone, Algal
wacke-packstone and thin layer of Amphistegina wacke-
packestone microfacies.
4.5 HYDROCARBON POTENTIAL OF FIELD E6
The hydrocarbon potential of field E6-3 is analysed based
on the interpretation of the tight layers. As shown in figure 17,
Figure 17 The conceptual geological model of field E6 with the optimized position of the horizontal well
layers in the carbonate sequence 4 is possible to be the reservoir
layer. Based on the well data, layers in the carbonate sequence
4 shows characteristics of high porosity and permeability with
the presence of intercrystalline porosity from the thin section
interpretation.
Deeper interpretation is made for both wells to predict the
continuity of this porous layer. As the result, it is found that
only the layers at the northern part of the buildup are having
high porosity value. This can be proven by checking the pore
types from the thin section for both wells. From well E6-3, the
thin section from 6027.6 ft to 6107 ft consist of intercrystalline
and fracture porosity which represents high permeability.
However, the layers at the southern part of the buildup do
not show significant high porosity layer based on the thin
section. It is predicted that the reservoir layer at the northern
part of the buildup truncated somewhere in the middle of the
buildup.
4.6 RESERVOIR PREDICTION AND CONCEPTUAL
GEOLOGICAL MODEL
As presented in figure 16, the tight layer identified is
positioned at the boundary between sequence 3 and 4 and
between sequence 4 and 5. Thus, the reservoir for each of the
sequence exists independently. As presented in the previous
study, reservoir layer of sequence 4 has been identified over the
northern part of field E6 (well E6-3) and absent on the southern
part of the field (well E6-2). The distribution of the reservoir
probably truncated in between the two wells. Thus our
predicted reservoir mainly focuses on the northern part of the
field in sequence 4 near to well E6-3 which is shaded green as
shown in the figure 17.
Assuming the layers in the whole sequence 4
interconnected, the fluid flow of the hydrocarbon would still
migrate up to the predicted reservoir due to the fact that it stands
as the highest point for sequence 4. So, the position of
horizontal drilling well had been optimized to maximize the
reservoir performance as in figure 17.
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 CONCLUSION
For conclusion, this study is mainly about supporting the
development of the E6 field, especially the architecture of the
platform. Field E6 covered a small area and recognized as a
landward located field. It is a coral atoll comprises of different
layers of 5 stages and developed through horizontal wells.
Due to the uncertainty of the field architecture, it is
difficult to conduct the deviated drilling in part of the lateral
extends of tight layers and permeable reservoir layers. Thus, the
thin sections description, well log studies and seismic data
interpretation is performed to study the architecture and solve
the uncertainty issues of the lateral extends of tight layers and
reservoir layers between two wells; E6-2 and E6-3.
The components that exist in the thin section had been
interpreted to help with the biostratigraphic analysis of the
buildup. Two benthic foraminifera that had been used as index
fossil to separate between cycle IV and cycle V are Miogypsina
sp. and Austrotrillina sp.
High porosity layer is insufficient to make the drilling
process successful, the stored hydrocarbon need to bring
upward for drilling. Hence, it is important for the pores to be
connected so the layer is highly permeable. The interparticle
and intercrystalline porosity are known as effective porosity
which are by far producing the highest permeability.
The seismic analysis had been done to evaluate the
pattern of the carbonate platform growth. The interpreted data
shows that there are five stages of carbonate platform growth
which is mainly affected by the rate of sea level rise and the rate
of carbonate production.
Based on the provided seismic cross section, the depth
of top carbonate layer and base carbonate layer is identified.
The well log data gave the information that enables to identify
the tight layer zone (bad layer) based on porosity and
permeability of the core sample description. Other than that,
reservoir layers (good layer) are also identified by applying the
cutoff in the porosity log. The low and high porosity layers and
are identified to narrow down the depth of the tight and
reservoir layer. Two tight layers had been identified based on
the porosity and permeability log, lithology and microfacies.
These two tight layers separates carbonate sequence 4 from
sequence 3 and sequence 4 from sequence 5.
With the support of petrographic data, a plausible
scenario had been made where the predicted reservoir focuses
in the northern part of the buildup in sequence 4 which is near
to well E6-3. The reservoir layer might be truncated at the
middle of the buildup.
Lastly, based on the interpretation that had been made,
a conceptual geological model showing the proposed position
of the horizontal drilling well had been constructed. The
horizontal well will be drilled from the northern part to the
middle part of the buildup to maximize the reservoir
performance.
FURTHER STUDY
Proper 3D seismic data in .pet would give a better insight in
interpreting the carbonate platform growth which will help to
view the whole platform architecture thus making the
interpretation more efficient and accurate.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
All praises to The Almighty for His mercy and grace, I was
able to successfully complete my Final Year Project. Firstly, I
would like to express my deepest gratitude to my supervisor,
Prof. Dr. Michael C. Poppelreiter for his supervision and patient
guidance throughout the study. I am so grateful to have a
supervisor that has been so encouraging and committed in
helping me to improve this thesis through his review and
clarification. I would also like to thank the members of
SEACARL especially Saw Bing Bing and Dr. Markus for their
constant support and guidance. Appreciation also goes to AP.
Dr. Jalal Douraghinejad, my internal examiner for this project
for his very helpful feedback and suggestions.Finally, thank
you to my colleagues and family for their unbelievable support
throughout this project, directly and indirectly.
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