Pore System Model

Integrated Reservoir Study

DATA
MANAGEMENT

RESERVOIR
CHARACTERIZATION

STATIC
MODEL

Data Flows

DYNAMIC
MODEL

Work Flows

Pore Systems Model

RESERVOIR CHARACTERIZATION
Petrophysical Results Interpreted Logs & Marker Picks
Regional
Geological
Model

Structural
Model
Interpreted
Geophysical
Model

Depositional
Model

Statistical
Model of
Production &
Pressure Data

Pore
Systems
Model

The Pore System

Predicting and modeling reservoir quality
Determining hydraulic flow units
Maximizing hydrocarbon recovery

The Pore System

Depends on a variety of
factors including:
Mineral composition (rock type)
- Mechanical stability/instability
- Chemical stability/instability

Texture
Fluid/rock interactions
Time/temperature/pressure relations

Pore-System Evolution
(from deposition to reservoir)
Observations
At the time of deposition sediment has high
porosity.
After burial to reservoir conditions porosity is
significantly reduced.
The distribution of porosity in reservoirs is
heterogeneous.

SEDIMENTARY ROCK TYPES:

Relative Abundances
Sandstone and
Conglomerate
(clastic)
~11%

Mudstone
(Siltstone
and shale)
(clastic)
~75%

Limestone and
Dolomite
(carbonate)
~14%

Sandstone Reservoirs

The Four Major Components

of Sandstone
Framework
Sand (and Silt) Size Detrital Grains

Matrix
Clay Size Detrital Material

Cement
Material Precipitated Post-Depositionally,
During Burial. Cements Fill Pores and
Replace Framework Grains

Pores
Voids Between and Within the Above
Components

Compaction of Clastic
Sedimentary Rocks
Mechanical
Grain Rearrangement
Compaction of Ductile Grains

Chemical
Pressure Solution

In
cr

C
em

Increasing
Visible
Porosity

Inte Increa
rgra sing
nula
r Cl
ay

Permeability

ea
s

in
g

Increasing
Grain Size

R
en In
el
ie
ta cre
f
ti o a
s
n/ i n
C g
om
pa
ct
io
n

Effects of Various Controls on

Porosity and Permeability

Im

ved
o
r
p

ing
t
r
o

Increasing Microporosity

Porosity
(Modified from Evans and Others, 1997)

Porosity in Sandstone
Pore
Throat

Pores Provide the

Volume to Contain
Hydrocarbon Fluids
Pore Throats Restrict
Fluid Flow

Scanning Electron Micrograph

Norphlet Formation, Offshore Alabama, USA

(Photograph by R.L. Kugler)

Sandstone Porosity Measured

by Various Techniques
Total Porosity - Neutron Log
Total Porosity - Density Log
Absolute or Total Porosity
Rock
Matrix

Oven-Dried Core Analysis Porosity

Humidity-Dried
V Shale
Core Analysis Porosity
te P
s
d
n
S
rio
a
V
y
b
ityu
rs
o
n M
h
c
e
T
rd
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a
e
iq
k T
c
o
R
- D
iy
rs
lP
ta
o
rA
u
N
g
o
L
ity
s
n
e
P ro
a
lT
b
ity
s
z V
u
Q
trix
a
M
fc e
u
y
riC
-D
n
v
O
le
a
h
S
iH
s
ly
a
n
rA
o
C
d
SP
L
m
u
ityd
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o
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,In
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e
-D
d
te
la
o
k lH
o
w
m
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c
u
rS
te
a
)W
H
(O
L C
s
Ie
&
n
tio
ra
d
y
s H
o
P
te
W
ilry
p
a
s P
e
P
n
b
a
c
ro
d
y
s
re
o
ilc W
b
rIm
te
a
W
d
n
u
o
B
rlo P
te
a
m
lu
V
re
o

Quartz
(Framework)
Structural
(OH-) Water

Clay
Layers

Clay Surfaces
& Interlayers

Small
Pores

Large, Interconnected
Pores

Capillary
Water
Hydration or
Bound Water
Irreducible or
Immobile Water

(modified from Eslinger and Pevear, 1988)

Hydrocarbon
Pore Volume

Isolated
Pores

Carbonate Reservoirs

Summary of Factors
that Control
Reservoir Quality
in
Sandstones and Carbonates

Geologic Factors Affecting Subsurface

Reservoir Quality
Geological Factor

Effect on Porosity

Framework Composition/
Provenance

May Control Postdepositional

Diagenesis

Environment of Deposition (EOD)

Controls Prediagenesis Porosity

Paleoclimate

Affects EOD, Weathering,

Karstification

Depth of Burial

Indirectly Related To Porosity Loss

Pressuring or Overpressuring

Early Overpressure May Enhance

Porosity

Thermal Maturity

Indirectly Related To Porosity Loss

Geologic Factors Affecting Subsurface

Reservoir Quality
Geological Factor

Effect on Porosity

Erosional Events/Unconformities

May Reduce Or Enhance Porosity

Pore Fluid Migration (Water)

Enhances Cementation / Dissolution

Pore Fluid Migration (Oil)

Inhibits Cementation / Dissolution

Associated Rock Strata - Seal

Affects Pore-Fluid Entrapment

Associated Rock Strata Source Rock

Controls Type Of Migrating Pore

Fluids

Geological and Petrophysical Data

Used to Define Flow Units
Core Lithofacies

Core Pore
Plugs Types

Petrophysical
Data

Gamma Ray Flow

Log
Units

vs k Capillary
Pressure

5
4
3