Article: Genetic units-based permeability prediction for clastic reservoirs using normalised pore throat radius (Niger Delta as case study) Journal: International Journal of Petroleum Engineering (IJPE) 2015 Vol.1 No.4 pp.245 - 270 Abstract: One of the major challenges in exploration and development of the vast amount of hydrocarbon reserves in the Tertiary Niger Delta Petroleum System is building a realistic model that accurately describes the dynamic flow paths and production performance of the field. This implies description of extreme values of connections of petrophysical properties, mainly permeabilities and subsequently the transmissibilities. The prediction of these parameters is particularly challenging within the mud-rich and inter-channel turbidite sands, due to their diagenetic overprint. The study proposes a normalised pore throat genetic units based approach for characterising these complex pore systems at core scale to provide improved models for permeability prediction, for the clastic reservoirs with Niger Delta as case study. Petrographic observations of pore types are analysed alongside capillary pressures and air permeabilities. Statistical significance of the coefficients was verified using α-level of 0.05. Various statistical analysis obtained from proposed model validation indicates lower errors. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Genetic units-based permeability prediction for clastic reservoirs using normalised pore throat radius (Niger Delta as case study)

Authors: Haruna M. Onuh; David O. Ogbe; Chikezie Nwosu

Addresses: Petroleum Engineering Department, African University of Science & Technology (AUST), KM 10, Airport Road, Galadimawa Junction, Abuja, Nigeria ' Petroleum Engineering Department, African University of Science & Technology (AUST), KM 10, Airport Road, Galadimawa Junction, Abuja, Nigeria; FlowGrid Ltd, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria ' Sinopec-Addax Petroleum Development Company, 32, Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract: One of the major challenges in exploration and development of the vast amount of hydrocarbon reserves in the Tertiary Niger Delta Petroleum System is building a realistic model that accurately describes the dynamic flow paths and production performance of the field. This implies description of extreme values of connections of petrophysical properties, mainly permeabilities and subsequently the transmissibilities. The prediction of these parameters is particularly challenging within the mud-rich and inter-channel turbidite sands, due to their diagenetic overprint. The study proposes a normalised pore throat genetic units based approach for characterising these complex pore systems at core scale to provide improved models for permeability prediction, for the clastic reservoirs with Niger Delta as case study. Petrographic observations of pore types are analysed alongside capillary pressures and air permeabilities. Statistical significance of the coefficients was verified using α-level of 0.05. Various statistical analysis obtained from proposed model validation indicates lower errors.

Keywords: permeability modelling; mercury injection capillary pressures; genetic reservoir units; Niger Delta; clastic reservoirs; thin beds; clay diagenesis; uncertainty analysis; permeability prediction; pore throat radius; case study; hydrocarbon reserves; petroleum engineering; flow paths; air permeabilities.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPE.2015.073529

International Journal of Petroleum Engineering, 2015 Vol.1 No.4, pp.245 - 270

Received: 08 Oct 2014
Accepted: 13 Jun 2015
Published online: 11 Dec 2015 *

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Title: Genetic units-based permeability prediction for clastic reservoirs using normalised pore throat radius (Niger Delta as case study)

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