Rock

in
Reservoir Rock-Typing
A Geological Perspective
Michael Drummond
Fronterra Integrated
Geosciences

Objectives
Remind all why a geology/core is important in any
approach to reservoir rock-typing,
Describe the requirements of core/reservoir
description,
Provide a few thoughts on reservoir rock-typing
methods,
Suggest why some reservoir rock-typing schemes /
reservoir models fail.

This presentation is based personal experience. Procedures for building reservoir

models have been published and many have similar work flows (Martin et al.
1997). Reservoir rock types are the fundamental building blocks of a reservoir
model, but they require a geological framework to populate the model. If most
people agree on the work flow and perform the work to the highest standards, the
question becomes, Why do reservoir models fail? Geology is an important and
often under-appreciated component.

Reservoir Description
Objectives

Provide a detailed description of the vertical and lateral

distribution of lithology, lithofacies and ALL other geological
features that might affect reservoir properties,

Provide quality control on coring and on sampling for other

analyses,

Provide the description in manner that can be up-dated or

modified as new information becomes available,

Provide the description in a simple enough format that the

details can be applied to a reservoir model.

The primary source of, and control on, the data is

CORE.

Geophysics, wire-line logs, production logs and petrophysical data are all involved
in the result, but the basic framework has to be geological, even if the petrophysical
rock types do not match geological reservoir rock types in detail, they will be
constrained by geological layering and, to a lesser extent, by the various facies
types.

Reservoir Description
Core
Geological Description

Conventional Core Analysis/

Routine Rock Properties

Geophysics
Openhole Logs
Production Data

Reservoir Rock
Types

Special Core Analysis/

Advanced Rock Properties
Input to
Reservoir Model

Core is the only direct control on the geological and physical properties of the
material that forms the framework in which the resources reside. Core description
can provide some information on the nature and distribution of fluids but is mainly
concerned with the distribution of solids and spaces. AS the talk progresses, the
brackets will remain and collapse to the left leaving room for more data.

Reservoir Description
Core
Core Description
Primary
Features

Diagenetic
Features

Structural
Features

Analytical
Locations/Data

Lithology
Grain/crystal size
Grain shape
Grain/crystal sorting
Grain types
Texture/Fabric
Depositional structures
Trace fossils
Ichnofabrics
Syn-sediment deformation
CONTACTS

Cement minerals
Cement fabrics
Replacement fabrics
Compaction
Dissolution
CONTACTS

Fractures
Joints
Stylolites
(-ve fractures)
Granulation seams
(minor shears)
Faults

Core fit/misfit
(Corrected)
Plug locations
Full-diameter
Samples
Preserved samples
Core damage
Core recovery

Data to be recorded as distribution,

abundance and types,
preferably semi-quantitatively.

The amount of data to be recorded in a core description is large. Not only does the
composition but the variations in composition, abundance and their distribution
have to be recorded. Comments on the possible causes of features should also be
recorded. The only efficient way to record this data is using core description
software. Paper description of all the data is only possible with a lot of columns to
fill and takes away time from interpretation and integration. Quality control as part
of the core description is often absent or inadequate.

Reservoir Description
Core
Recording the distribution and abundance/concentration and nature of:
Features
Lithology
Texture
Fabric
Grain types
Grain-size
Lithofacies*
Sorting
Stratigraphic
Framework
Depositional Structures
Biogenic Structures
Trace Fossils & Ichnofabrics
CONTACTS
Authigenic Minerals
Diagenetic facies*
Diagenetic Features
Pore types
Structural facies*
Structural Features
Fluids
Quality control*
Plugs/Preserved Samples
Core quality, Core recovery
*: Additional analyses required

Core description has often been described as more of an art than a science. This is
especially true in the past when it was done on a sheet of paper and the description
was often more interpretive than descriptive. You can't fit all the data onto a
convenient sheet of paper. Computer-aided logging has reduced/removed the
limitations. All data is important, but some is more important. I would like the
opportunity to re-log all my previous studies to improve them.

Reservoir Description
Facies Reservoir Types
Lithofacies
The sum of the
lithological,
biological and
depositional
features that
distinguish one rock
from another.
e.g. Cross-bedded
ooidal grainstone.

Diagenetic facies

Structural facies

The sum of the

lithological features
and the diagenetic
overprint that
distinguish one
rock from another.

The combination of
geological features
and their structural
overprint that
distinguish one
rock from another.

e.g. Grain-rim
cemented ooidal
grainstone,
Oomoldic ooidal
grainstone,
Compacted ooidal
mud-lean
packstone.

e.g. Peloidal
packstone with
abundant cemented
fractures,
Cemented peloidal
grainstone with
open fractures,
Fracture corridor.

Although lithofacies should incorporate diagenetic and structural features, it is

useful to separate them in your mind before synthesis. Each facies type has the
potential to affect the reservoir behaviour in different ways. Depositional facies
should be identified wherever possible, even though replacement is extensive.
Understanding the distribution original facies (even when gobbled up by "pacman
anhydrite") is essential to understanding the depositional AND diagenetic controls
on the distribution geological reservoir rock types.

Reservoir Description
Reservoir Types
Structural
Fractured
(Type-I)
Jurassic
Platform

Khuff

Arab D
Mishrif
Chalk
Chalks

Depositional

Arab B-A
Karsted/Dolomitized
Jurassic Platform

Diagenetic

This diagram assumes that the original rock is sediment, but that the dominant
controls on reservoir properties are either the original depositional fabric, diagenetic
modification or structural modification. Not all parts of a reservoir will fall into the
same category, some areas will be better cemented; others are more leached or
more compacted; fractures are often clustered (heterogeneity). Although this
diagram resembles that published by Ahr et al. 2005, this was generated
independently

Reservoir Description
Core
Description should be backed up by:
Features
Lithology
Texture
Fabric
Grain types
Grain-size
Sorting
Depositional Structures
Biogenic Structures
Ichnofabrics/Ichnofacies
CONTACTS
Authigenic Minerals
Diagenetic Features
Pore types
Structural Features
Fluids
Plugs/Preserved Samples
Core quality, Core recovery

Grain-size analysis
Petrography
Cathodoluminescence
Epifluorescence
Image Analysis
CAT Scanning
(Goniometry, BHI, Seismic)
Seismic
Petrography
Goniometry, BHI, Seismic
CCA and SCAL

Examples of additional analyses that might be appropriate, based on the complexity

of the reservoir and the information required to understand the reservoir.
Petrography is often used to aid in sample selection and to provide quality control
for HPMICP analyses. The list is not exhaustive; new techniques are always being
developed.

Reservoir Description
Core
Integration of the data from several wells produces:

Lithofacies

Depositional Model in a
Sequence Stratigraphic
Framework

Stratigraphic Framework
Diagenetic facies
Structural facies
Quality control

Post-Depositional Model in a
Sequence Stratigraphic and
Tectonic Framework
Distribution of measured data

Integration of the data from the core description and subsequent analysis should
give the depositional model, a model for the diagenesis by stratigraphic layer and
the structural evolution and how that affected the depositional history and
diagenesis. Although much of the data in individual wells should be in digital
format, this does not mean that it can be given directly to the reservoir engineer or
petrophysicist; simplification to a reservoir grid block scale is essential. Nor does it
mean that the data will provide precise limits for facies.

Reservoir Description
Core
Integration of all the data should result in:

Depositional Model in a
Sequence Stratigraphic
Framework

Post-Depositional Model in a
Stratigraphic and Tectonic
Framework

Potential Reservoir
Rock Types
& Predictive
Framework

Distribution of measured data

Having an understanding of the geological processes and their effects on the

reservoir provides the initial indication for potential reservoir rock types and their
distribution. The number of Reservoir Rock-types has to be small ; simplification is
important. Using incorrect reservoir rock types or incorrect grouping of reservoir
rock types is likely to lead to problems. Confirmation of reservoir rock types from
Pc Purcell measurements; petrography should ensure the correct grouping and help
detect heterogeneities. Accurate plug locations on a core description are also
important.

Reservoir Rock-Typing
Objectives

A identify rock intervals that have consistent production

response, for the given pore fluid system, because they have
similar pore throat size distribution, pore/port geometry, and
pore connectivity,

Lithofacies will exert some control on the distribution RRT's,

even after extensive diagenetic modification diagenesis
requires a sediment to act upon.

The primary source of, and control on, the data is

CORE

Geological Reservoir Rock-types should incorporate depositional, diagenetic and

structural facies. These should allow grouping for up-scaling and be capable of
sufficient prediction potential for populating a reservoir model.

Approaches to RRT's
Integration of all the data should result in:

Depositional Model in a
Sequence Stratigraphic
Framework

Post-Depositional Model in a
Sequence Stratigraphic and
Tectonic Framework

Potential Reservoir
Rock Types
& Predictive
Framework

Distribution of measured data

The number and nature of potential RRT's should fall out as a natural consequence
of building the geological model. Similarly the reservoir model should honour the
geological model, at least in terms of layering; the big questions for compatibility
of the geological and reservoir modal arise from questions of scale.

Core Descriptions
Sources of Problems

Reservoir description has been performed with the wrong

model in mind or was described to fit a model,

Geological framework is insufficient, inaccurate, or incorrect,

Geologist does not think outside the core,

Reservoir Rock-types cannot be matched to core,

Lithofacies and/or Reservoir Rock-types cannot be "matched"

to logs (common occurrence),

Reservoir heterogeneity,

Why do some reservoir models fail? My favourite answer is people. Douglas

Adams wrote that "People are a problem". David Eddings wrote that "Many people
are more firmly wed to their ideas than they are to their spouses." The rocks are
just rocks and the fluids that flow through them are subject to physical laws. People
often look at things from one perspective or get carried away with one set of
features and forget the rest. Sometimes people lump the wrong data because they
look at it from the wrong perspective.
Reservoir models are built on a foundation of stone, but the model is not carved in
stone. If a model does not work, the model should be analyzed to determine why,
and then be upgraded. Revision and upgrading should be a continuous process.

Reservoir Description
Sources of Problems
Most common serious problems

Description is not fit for purpose,

Descriptions lack QC component,

Description made to fit a model,

Descriptions are incomplete and/or out of date,

Descriptions cannot be updated (non-digital),

Not fit for purpose would include descriptions that focused on single aspects to the
detriment of the reservoir description.
Sample locations and comments on core recovery and quality are often missing.
Descriptions can be made with a model already in mind; it is easy to fall into the
trap of describing those things that fit the model and ignore those that do not fit the
model.
Ideas change, new techniques evolve, so descriptions and models should be updated
periodically to ensure that the best quality and most up-to-date description is
available; core logging software makes this easier.

Reservoir Description
Reservoir Types
Structural

Reservoir

Reservoir
Reservoir

Description

Description

Description

Depositional

Diagenetic

Reservoir descriptions do not always match the described reservoir. These are
examples of where I think descriptions plot as points, and where I believe the
described reservoirs "plot" as ovals. Such differences can result from inexperience,
from using a preconceived idea of the reservoir, and for becoming absorbed in one
aspect of the reservoir to the exclusion of other aspects. Note different parts of a
reservoir can have different reservoir types.

Reservoir Model
Sources of Problems

Problems CCA (QC, type of data, age of data),

Problems SCAL (QC, type of data, age of data),

Reservoir Rock Types are wrong or distribution is wrong,

Reservoir Heterogeneity,

Problems of scale (dataset is too complex, or too simple).

Note that geological reservoir rock types might not match petrophysical rock types
and even those might not fit with the reservoir engineer's reservoir rock types.
However, the geological layering should control the reservoir layering and aspects
of the depositional and diagenetic facies should help reduce uncertainty in the
reservoir model.

Reservoir Model
Summary

Geological description and interpretation is required to help

define a reservoir,

Core description (and cuttings) data need to be analyzed

carefully and used to provide quality control on samples,
analytical data (CCA and SCAL), wireline logs and models,

Geological reservoir rock types result from the core description

and allied analyses; these aid in sample selection for SCAL,

Reservoir layering results from the geological layering,

Geological description helps understand aspects of reservoir

heterogeneity.

Reservoir Models
Heterogeneity

Core might be the ultimate control on the nature of the rock, but core and core
descriptions do not yield unique solutions to the distribution of reservoir properties.
Reservoir heterogeneity in this example is controlled by diagenesis within a
depositional layering, but recognition of that fact can aid in reducing uncertainty.

Acknowledgements

Fronterra Integrated Geosciences for allowing me to attend,

Chris Smart (BP/ADCO) for encouraging me to present,

Former colleagues at Core Laboratories for all the discussions

and exchanges of ideas,

All those clients who were prepared to look, listen, learn and
teach.

Being a consultant is not a one way street. My favourite studies have been those
where interaction with the clients has been greatest. These same studies are those
that gave the greatest amount of useful information to the client.
References:
Ahr, W.M., Allen, D., Boyd, D., Bachman. N.H., Smithson, A., Gzara, K.B.M.,
Hassall, J.K., Murty, C.R.K., Zubari, H., and Ramamoorthy, R., (2005)
Confronting the carbonate conundrum. Oil Field Review. Spring 2005, 1829.
Martin, J.A., Solomon, S.T., and Hartman, (1997) Characterization of
petrophysical flow units in carbonate reservoirs. American Association of
Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, 81, 734759.

Postscript
Having listened to all the talks and attended the breakout session, the
following comments can be emphasized or added to the initial
presentation:

Core description provides early indicators for heterogeneity and

potential problems with sampling,

Core description should help to indicate block size for the reservoir
model as soon as possible in the life of a reservoir,

Geologists, petrophysicists and reservoir engineers must start

listening to the each other and communicating their needs and ideas
effectively; positive feedback is required from all parties.

Being a geologist, petrophysicists, or reservoir engineer is not a one way street.

Geological data is vital, it needs to be supplied promptly at all stages of exploration
and development and it must be in a format that can be used, incorporated into the
model and updated as needed. Wireline logs of an interval are run once and the
people that use them often forget the limitations. Core can be looked at reviewed
and re-sampled repeatedly if it has been taken correctly and curated correctly.