Geomechanics and Geoenergy Journal

Geomechanics and Geoenergy Journal

Influence of Depositional Environment, Microfacies, and Diagenesis on Electrical Resistivity Changes: Permian-Triassic Sequence, Central Persian Gulf

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 University of tehran
2 University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Understanding the variations in electrical conductivity in porous media is relevant in various fields, including geology, petroleum engineering, and chemistry. Changes in rock electrical resistivity can indicate alterations in their geomechanical properties. Electrical conductivity in rocks reflects the geometric relationships of pores within rock samples, which are influenced by the depositional environment, microfacies, and diagenetic processes. Thus, a thorough study of geological and petrophysical characteristics and their connection to changes in electrical resistivity is crucial for identifying and developing hydrocarbon fields. This research, for the first time, explores the impact of the depositional environment, microfacies, diagenetic processes, and petrophysical factors on the variations in the electrical resistivity of rocks. The dataset for this study comprises 293 meters of core samples, 720 porosity and permeability data points, 921 thin section images, and 251 meters of various well log data, collected from an exploratory well in the central Persian Gulf. The study involved identifying and determining microfacies and depositional environments, examining diagenetic processes through microscopic and macroscopic analysis, and evaluating electrical conductivity in these environments and microfacies using the formation's deep electrical resistivity log. Results show that samples from lagoon environments have lower electrical resistivity and higher permeability, while those from open marine environments exhibit higher electrical resistivity and lower permeability. The sabkha environment, due to extensive anhydrite cementation, has the highest electrical resistivity. Diagenetic processes like dolomitization and isopachous calcite cementation reduce electrical resistivity by improving pore connectivity and preserving primary porosity. Conversely, anhydrite cement and blocky calcite cement increase electrical resistivity by blocking pores and pore throats.
Keywords

[1]           Meng H, Shi Q, Liu T, Liu F, Chen P. The Percolation Properties of Electrical Conductivity and Permeability for Fractal Porous Media. Energies 2019;12:1085. https://doi.org/10.3390/en12061085.      
[2]           Cai J, Wei W, Hu X, Wood DA. Electrical conductivity models in saturated porous media: A review. Earth-Science Rev 2017;171:419–33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2017.06.013.
[3]           Nghia N Van, Hung NM, Thanh LD. A Model for Electrical Conductivity of Porous Materials under Saturated Conditions. VNU J Sci Math - Phys 2021;37. https://doi.org/10.25073/2588-1124/vnumap.4573.        
[4]           Binley A, Hubbard SS, Huisman JA, Revil A, Robinson DA, Singha K, et al. The emergence of hydrogeophysics for improved understanding of subsurface processes over multiple scales. Water Resour Res 2015;51:3837–66. https://doi.org/10.1002/2015WR017016.
[5]           Lech M, Skutnik Z, Bajda M, Markowska-Lech K. Applications of electrical resistivity surveys in solving selected geotechnical and environmental problems. Appl Sci 2020;10. https://doi.org/10.3390/app10072263.            
[6]           Lesmes DP, Friedman SP. Relationships between the Electrical and Hydrogeological Properties of Rocks and Soils, 2005, p. 87–128. https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-3102-5_4.
[7]           Omrani, S., & Tavakoli, V. (2024). Examining Key Factors Influencing the Accuracy of Water Saturation Calculations in Carbonate Reservoirs: A Case Study of Kangan and Dalan Formations in the Western Persian Gulf. Journal of Petroleum Geomechanics, 7(1), 12-24. doi: 10.22107/jpg.2024.427939.1221.
 [8]          Shi W, Yin G, Wang M, Tao L, Wu M, Yang Z, et al. Progress of Electrical Resistance Tomography Application in Oil and Gas Reservoirs for Development Dynamic Monitoring. Processes 2023;11:2950. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11102950.
[9]           Slater L. Near surface electrical characterization of hydraulic conductivity: From petrophysical properties to aquifer geometries - A review. Surv Geophys 2007;28:169–97. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10712-007-9022-y.            
[10]         Kolah-kaj P, Kord S, Soleymanzadeh A. Application of electrical rock typing for quantification of pore network geometry and cementation factor assessment. J Pet Sci Eng 2022;208. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2021.109426.
[11]         Ahr WM. Geology of Carbonate Reservoirs: The Identification, Description, and Characterization of Hydrocarbon Reservoirs in Carbonate Rocks. 2008. https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470370650
[12]         Lucia FJ. Carbonate Reservoir Characterization An Integrated Approach, Second Edition. vol. 55. 2007.
[13] Omrani S, Tavakoli V. Influences of Geological and Petrophysical Attributes on Electrical Resistivity–Based Reserve Evaluation: Enhancing Carbonate Reservoir Classification, Permian-Triassic Reservoirs of Southern Iran. SPE J 2024;29:5352–71. https://doi.org/10.2118/223075-PA.
[14]         Tavakoli V. Carbonate Reservoir Heterogeneity. Cham: Springer International Publishing; 2020. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-34773-4.
[15] Omrani S, Tavakoli V. Exploring comparative heterogeneity management for precise water saturation assessment in carbonate formations: Dean-Stark measurements and beyond. Geoenergy Sci Eng 2024;243:213398. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoen.2024.213398.
[16]         Tiab D, Donaldson EC. Petrophysics: Theory and Practice of Measuring Reservoir Rock and Fluid Transport Properties: Fourth Edition. Elsevier; 2015. https://doi.org/10.1016/C2014-0-03707-0.           
  [17]      Glover PWJ, Ransford TJ, Auger G. A simple method for solving the Bussian equation for electrical conduction in rocks. Solid Earth 2010;1:85–91. https://doi.org/10.5194/se-1-85-2010.           
[18]         Garing C, Luquot L, Pezard PA, Gouze P. Electrical and flow properties of highly heterogeneous carbonate rocks. Am Assoc Pet Geol Bull 2014;98:49–66. https://doi.org/10.1306/05221312134.    
[19]         Nie X, Zou C, Li Z, Meng X, Qi X. Numerical simulation of the electrical properties of shale gas reservoir rock based on digital core. J Geophys Eng 2016;13:481–90. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-2132/13/4/481.             
[20]         Rembert F, Jougnot D, Guarracino L. A fractal model for the electrical conductivity of water-saturated porous media during mineral precipitation-dissolution processes. Adv Water Resour 2020;145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advwatres.2020.103742.
[21]         Hou Y, Liu D, Zhao T, Zhou J, Tian L, Kou X, et al. Numerical Simulation of Electrical Properties of Carbonate Reservoirs Using Digital Rocks. Processes 2023;11:2214. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11072214.          
[22]         Lak R. Sea Level Changes in Northern Part of the Persian Gulf During Holocene. Procedia - Soc Behav Sci 2014;120:757–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.02.159.
[23]         Konert G, Afifi AM, Al-Hajri SA, Droste HJ. Paleozoic stratigraphy and hydrocarbon habitat of the Arabian plate. GeoArabia 2001;6:407–42. https://doi.org/10.2113/geoarabia0603407.     
[24]         Szabo F, Kheradpir A. Permian and Triassic Stratigraphy, Zagros Basin, South‐West Iran. J Pet Geol 1978;1:57–82. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747-5457.1978.tb00611.x.
[25]         Insalaco E, Virgone A, Courme B, Gaillot J, Kamali MR, Moallemi A, et al. Upper Dalan Member and Kangan Formation between the Zagros Mountains and offshore Fars, Iran: Depositional system, biostratigraphy and stratigraphic architecture. GeoArabia 2006;11:75–176. https://doi.org/10.2113/geoarabia110275.
[26]         Kashfi MS. A SOURCE BED STUDY OF THE OLIGO‐MIOCENE ASMARI LIMESTONE IN SW IRAN. J Pet Geol 1984;7:419–28. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747-5457.1984.tb00886.x.   
[27]         Ehrenberg SN, Nadeau PH, Agrawi AAM. A comparison of Khuff and Arab reservoir potential throughout the Middle East. Am Assoc Pet Geol Bull 2007;91:275–86. https://doi.org/10.1306/09140606054.              
[28]         Tavakoli V, Jamalian A. Microporosity evolution in Iranian reservoirs, Dalan and Dariyan formations, the central Persian Gulf. J Nat Gas Sci Eng 2018;52:155–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jngse.2018.01.028.     
[29]         Tavakoli V. Chemostratigraphy of the Permian-Triassic Strata of the Offshore Persian Gulf, Iran. Chemostratigraphy Concepts, Tech. Appl., 2015, p. 373–93. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-419968-2.00014-5.    
[30]         Esrafili-Dizaji B, Rahimpour-Bonab H. Effects of depositional and diagenetic characteristics on carbonate reservoir quality: A case study from the South Pars gas field in the Persian Gulf. Pet Geosci 2009;15:325–44. https://doi.org/10.1144/1354-079309-817.       
[31]         Kashfi MS. GEOLOGY OF THE PERMIAN “SUPER‐GIANT” GAS RESERVOIRS IN THE GREATER PERSIAN GULF AREA. J Pet Geol 1992;15:465–80. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747-5457.1992.tb01046.x.
[32]         Tavakoli V, Naderi-Khujin M, Seyedmehdi Z. The end-Permian regression in the western Tethys: sedimentological and geochemical evidence from offshore the Persian Gulf, Iran. Geo-Marine Lett 2018;38:179–92. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00367-017-0520-8
[33]         Dunham RJ. Classification of Carbonate Rocks According to Depositional Textures. Classif Carbonate Rocks--A Symp 1962:108–21.
[34]         Embry AF, Klovan JE. A Late Devonian reef tract on northeastern Banks Island, NWT. Bull Can Pet Geol 1971;19:730–81.
[35]         Flügel E. Microfacies of Carbonate Rocks: Analysis, Interpretation and Application. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg; 2010. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-03796-2.
[36]         Tavakoli V, Rahimpour-Bonab H, Esrafili-Dizaji B. Diagenetic controlled reservoir quality of South Pars gas field, an integrated approach. Comptes Rendus Geosci 2011;343:55–71. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CRTE.2010.10.004.
[37]         Jafarian A, Fallah-Bagtash R, Mattern F, Heubeck C. Reservoir quality along a homoclinal carbonate ramp deposit: The Permian Upper Dalan Formation, South Pars Field, Persian Gulf Basin. Mar Pet Geol 2017;88:587–604. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2017.09.002
[38]         Abdolmaleki J, Tavakoli V, Asadi-Eskandar A. Sedimentological and diagenetic controls on reservoir properties in the Permian-Triassic successions of Western Persian Gulf, Southern Iran. J Pet Sci Eng 2016;141:90–113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2016.01.020.
[39]         Alsharhan AS. Sedimentological character and hydrocarbon parameters of the Middle permian to Early Triassic Khuff formation United Arab Emirates. GeoArabia 2006;11:121–58. https://doi.org/10.2113/geoarabia1103121.
[40]         Sharland PR, Casey DM, Davies RB, Simmons MD, Sutcliffe OE. Arabian plate sequence stratigraphy - Revisions to SP2. GeoArabia 2004;9:199–214. https://doi.org/10.2113/geoarabia0901199.              
[41]         Tucker ME. Sedimentary petrology. An introduction to the orgin of sedimentary rocks. vol. 2nd Ed. 2001.
[42]         Tavakoli V, Rahimpour-Bonab H. Uranium depletion across Permian-Triassic Boundary in Persian Gulf and its implications for paleooceanic conditions. Palaeogeogr Palaeoclimatol Palaeoecol 2012;350–352:101–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2012.06.019.