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RESEARVOIR CHARACTERIZATION OF THE GABO RESERVOIR SAND, NIGER

DELTA, NIGERIA

Article · November 2018

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Uche Peters Adiela

Rivers State University of Science and Technology
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 ISSN(Online): 2319-8753
ISSN (Print): 2347-6710

International Journal of Innovative Research in Science,

Engineering and Technology
(A High Impact Factor, Monthly, Peer Reviewed Journal)
Visit: www.ijirset.com
(ISO 3297: 2007 Certified Organization)

Vol. 7, Issue 11, November 2018

RESEARVOIR CHARACTERIZATION OF THE GABO RESERVOIR SAND, NIGER

DELTA, NIGERIA
ADIELA, U.P, 1. AYODELE OYEWOLE MOSES 2
1
Department of Geosciences, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt
3
Department of Geology, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

ABSTRACT This research work focuses attention on the Reservoir Characterization of a hydrocarbon bearing Gabo
reservoir sand in the well of the Niger Delta. The environment of deposition is examined and the type produced as a
model of the sub-surface reservoir. To achieve this, an integrated analysis of cores from wells, as well as
biostratigraphic data and wireline logs of the Gabo sand were used for the study. The sand of study comprises one
major depositional sequence. From the petrophysical study carried out through use of composite logs, amalgamated
sand is found to be more porous and more permeable than the tidal channel. Core analysis revealed the existence of
lithofacies in a vertical sequence with a genetic significanceThe environment of deposition is examined and the type
produced as a model of the sub-surface reservoir in Central depobelt of the Niger Delta. To achieve this, an integrated
analysis of cores from wells, as well as biostratigraphic data and wireline logs of the Agbo reservoir sand were used
for the study. The sand of study comprises one major depositional sequence. From the petrophysical study carried out
through use of composite logs, amalgamated sand is found to be more porous and more permeable than the tidal
channel. Core analysis revealed the existence of lithofacies which are grouped into facies association in a vertical
sequence with a genetic significance using primary structures and shape of wireline logs.

KEYWORDS: Text detection, Inpainting, Morphological operations, Connected component labelling.

INTRODUCTION
Reservoir characterization using seismic attribute analysis can play an essential role in the exploration and development
of a field. Seismic attributes has come a long way since their introduction in the early 1970s and have become an
integral part of seismic interpretation projects. Today, they are been used widely for lithological and petrophysical
prediction of reservoir and various methodologies have been developed for their application to broader hydrocarbon
exploration and development in decision making. A good seismic attribute is either directly sensitive to the desired
geologic feature or reservoir property of interest, it contributes to the prediction of reservoir properties as well as
economic potential of the field. In a world of severe economic constraints on projects, it has become essential for Oil
Companies to obtain as early as possible an accurate assessment of the reservoir characteristics and the hydrocarbon
volume available in the subsurface. Reservoir characterization and subsurface geological mapping are perhaps the most
important tools used to explore for undiscovered hydrocarbons and to develop proven hydrocarbon reserves as the
knowledge of reservoir characterization is an important factor in quantifying producible hydrocarbons (Schiumberger,
1989). In order to map a hydrocarbon reservoir, studies of geologic structures that can hold hydrocarbons in place must
be considered thus a need exists to thoroughly evaluate prospects so as to determine optimal production strategies and
minimize uncertainties that may be associated with hydrocarbon exploration processes.
Reservoir characterization involves estimation of quantitative attributes of a Reservoir; such attributes may be
generated on reservoir scale from seismic data calibrated with available well control (Cooke et a!, 1984). 3D seismic
has been successfully used for over a decade to define reservoir boundaries and the geometry of sedimentary bodies.
Recently, due to the progress of seismic processing (amplitude preservation, quantitative utilization of seismic attribute
have been made possible.

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 ISSN(Online): 2319-8753
ISSN (Print): 2347-6710

International Journal of Innovative Research in Science,

Engineering and Technology
(A High Impact Factor, Monthly, Peer Reviewed Journal)
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(ISO 3297: 2007 Certified Organization)

Vol. 7, Issue 11, November 2018

AIM AND OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the study are: To provide a detailed Reservoir Characterization of the reservoir Gabo sand.ascertain
the permeability and porosity values and evaluate the reservoir potential of’ the reservoir sand and to reconstruct the
environment of deposition and provide a depositional model suitable for the reservoir sand.

Location of the Study Area

The hydrocarbon bearing Gabo reservoir sand is located in the central depobelt of the Niger delta.
METHODOLOGY
There are three methods of study used in the analysis of the reservoir sand. They are core description, the use of
wireline logs and biostratigraphic data interpretation.

Core Description: The analysis of the reservoir sand involves the use of integrated cores from the well taken from the
top to bottom of the sand. The total length of cores described for the well are about 292ft. Core is described in terms of
the primary sedimentary structures, bioturbation, grain sizes, sorting, colour, diagenetic processes as well as lithology.

Primary Sedimentary :Structures Pettijon and Potter defined primary sedimentary structures as those formed at time of
deposition or shortly thereafter and before consolidation of the sediments in which they are found. These sedimentary
structures are as a result of physical, chemical and biological processes occurring in an environment. Based on the
processes of formation of these sedimentary structures, lithofacies are classified.

Wireline logs: Use of wireline log data is to guide and aid the sedimentological interpretation of the cored sequences
employed. In order to ascertain the porosity and permeability values of the reservoir sand, a composite log is used.
These include gamma ray log, bulk density log and resistivity log.

RESULTS/INTERPRETATION
Lithofacies Description
Various kind of sedimentary structures are seen through physical examination of cores from well. These include, planar
cross bedding, current ripple marks, lenticular bedding, rootlets, hummocky cross stratification, reactivation surface
Bioturbation Structures and many more. These inorganic primary sedimentary structures are produced as a result of
interactions between the physical and biological characteristics of the sediment and the fluid, gravity, as well as the
hydraulic environment.
Lithofacies are identified based on core description and log shape of the reservoir sand Individual lithofacies are
composed of different types of sedimentary structures and may be distinguished by the presence of bedding units with a
characteristic sedimentary structure, a limited grain size range, a certain bed thickness, perhaps a distinctive texture or
colour.
Laminated sandstone
Thin horizontally laminated and very poorly sorted sandstone with up to 20% clay. Lightgrey in colour and contains
mica flakes and carbonaceous detritus (Plate 2, 3). Slightly bioturbated and characterized by traces of Ophiomorpha
burrow

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International Journal of Innovative Research in Science,

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Vol. 7, Issue 11, November 2018

Plate 3: Laminated sandstone

Bioturbated mudstone
Silty clay with streaks of very fine grain sandand silts. Moderately to intensely bioturbate
The fine grained nature of the sediment indicate low energy environment. The grey to black colouration also shows
high organic matter. Typical environments are tidal flat, lagoon and overbank or abandoned channel.

Plate 4: Bioturbated mudstone

Cross bedded Sandstone
Fine-grained and greyish brown. Moderate to well sorted (Plate 4). An alternation of low
angle cross bedded sandstone (a) With horizontal bedded sandstone (b), both of bed
thickness between 1 and 3cm. It is unbioturbated

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Vol. 7, Issue 11, November 2018

The alternation of cross beddings with flat beddings can beinterpreted as a product of marked fluctuation between
normal sedimentation and periods of greater energy. This lithofaceis can
occur in all environments of low to moderate energy with variable current velocity such as in tidal settings

Plate 5: Cross bedded Sandstone

Reservoir Characterization
By going through the process of core description/interpretation and calibrating with other well data reservoir
architecture is nearly accurately conceptualized. Detailed core analysis shows that the lithofacies are sandstone of fine
to medium-grained texture and different sedimentary structures like cross and planar bedding, heterolithic stratification
and so on as well as trace fossils like ophiormorpha burrows. Environment of deposition was interpreted by the use of
cores and inferred by comparing the shapes of the gamma ray logs signature with standard log motif of Schlumberger
(1985) to determine whether it is a bell, funnel or block shape. The facies sequence of tidal flat in this study which
grades from bioturbated sand to sand stone with mud layers is a fining upward sequence. Also, the sequence in
similarity with that described by Reading (1981) is cut by a tidal channel. Oomkens (1974) reported that tidally
influenced distributary channels in the Niger Delta commence with coarse intraformational lag with a fragmented
marine fauna overlain by sands which exhibit a transition from decimeter scale trough cross bedding into small scale
cross lamination. The sand becomes finer upward and there is also an increase in the clay content and the number of
burrows.
The lithofacies associations of tidal channel identified in this study is similar to that described above, except the
absence of coarse intraformational lag. However, all the sedimentary structures encountered are also of centimeter to
decimeter scale. Upward increase of burrows (planolite and Ophiomorpha burrow) and clay content were also observed.
It was deduced that the study area is within the marginal marine depositional environment and comprise of tidal
channel sands, distributary mouth bars, barrier island (lower, middle and upper shorefaces) and near offshore (the
shelf).The lithofacies are stacked in an upward coarsening succession and fining upward succession and interpreted to
represent progradational shoreface deposits.

1121
 ISSN(Online): 2319-8753
ISSN (Print): 2347-6710

International Journal of Innovative Research in Science,

Engineering and Technology
(A High Impact Factor, Monthly, Peer Reviewed Journal)
Visit: www.ijirset.com
(ISO 3297: 2007 Certified Organization)

Vol. 7, Issue 11, November 2018

The general depositional environment of the reservoir lies within the marginal marine enviroment. Depositional system
and their component facies form the primary building block of good reservoir quality. The reservoir quality of the
cored section is highly variable.

REFRENCES
[1] L.C Amajor and J. F Lerbekmo. The Viking (Albian) Reservoir Sandstones of Central and South-Central Alberta,
Canada. Journal of Petrol. Geol.
Vol. 13(4), Pp. 421-436 Oct. 1990.
[2]A.A Avbovbovo .Tertiary lithostratigraphy of the Niger Delta AAPG Bull. Vol.62, pp.293-300, 1978
[3] R.G Bromley. Trace fossils. Blackwell Science publishers, Glasgow, UK.1996
[4] J.E Ejedawe, Patterns of incidence of Oil Reserves in Niger Delta Basin.1981 AAPG Bull., Vol. 65, Pp. 1574-
1585,1981
[5] D. Emery and K. Myers.Sequence Stratigraphy. Blackwell Science Publ., Massachusets , USA,1996
[6] D. Evamy . Hydrocarbon Habitats of Tertiary Niger Delta. AAPG Bull. (62), Pp. 1-39, 1978
[7] F.J Franki and E.A Cordy . The Niger Delta Oil province- Present Developments Onshore and Offshore. Proc. 7th
World Petroleum Congress.
Mexico City, Vol. 2.Pp 195-209,1967.
[8] G. Nichols. Sedimentology and Sequence Stratigraphy. Blackwell science. Publi. London,1999.
[9] P. Merki. Structural Geology of Cenozoic Niger Delta. In T.F.J. Dessauvagie., A. J., Whitenian (eds): African
Geology -Geol. Dept. Ibadan,
Nigeria,1972.

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