Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

An integrated approach to distribute carbonate reservoir properties, using lithofacies and seismic attributes: a case study from SW of Iran

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Carbonates and Evaporites Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Complexity and heterogeneity of carbonate deposits make the understanding of the reservoir quality challenging. This study is a contribution to the understanding of the distribution of carbonate–evaporite reservoir property of the Permo–Triassic Kangan–Dalan succession in one of the giant gas fields in the southwest of Iran. To capture and describe the complexity and heterogeneity of the carbonate reservoir, we defined different rock properties approach to the management of quantitative data on carbonate reservoir which is based on well and seismic data with an integrated sedimentological investigation, petrophysical evaluation, and seismic analysis to determine the new reservoir lithofacies classification. A lithofacies-based reservoir characterization study was conducted carbonate reservoir to build a numerical 3-dimensional (3D) geological model including reservoir property prediction for reservoir flow simulation. To do this, full suite of logs from six wells, core from four wells in the studied interval and 3D seismic volume across the studied interval have been involved and investigated. Five lithofacies were identified from detailed analysis, and the relationship between lithofacies and reservoir property was considered and geostatistically propagated in the studied area. This study shows that an integrated study using seismic data and well logs can be used to basically divide the reservoir into relatively homogeneous zones based on core and petrophysical analysis, and then evaluate each zone to distinguish high-quality zones. This approach provides useful insight to Permo–Triassic carbonate reservoir and other similar reservoirs and can also be effectively used in areas which lack well or outcrop data.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abbas A, Zhu H, Zeng Z, Zhou X (2018) Sedimentary facies analysis using sequence stratigraphy and seismic sedimentology in the Paleogene Pinghu Formation, Xihu Depression, East China Sea Shelf Basin. Mar Pet Geol 93:287–297

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ahr WM (2011) Geology of carbonate reservoirs: the identification, description and characterization of hydrocarbon reservoirs in carbonate rocks. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Alabi A, Enikanselu PA (2019) Integrating seismic acoustic impedance inversion and attributes for reservoir analysis over ‘DJ’Field, Niger Delta. J Pet Explor Prod Technol 9:2487–2496

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Aswad AA (1997) Stratigraphy, sedimentary environment and depositional evolution of the Khuff Formation in south-central Saudi Arabia. J Pet Geol 20:307–326

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alavi M (2004) Regional stratigraphy of the Zagros fold-thrust belt of Iran and its proforeland evolution. Am J Sci 304:1–20

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Dukhayyil RKR (2007) High-resolution sequence stratigraphy of the Khuff A and B carbonates in the subsurface of Haradh area, southern Ghawar Field, Saudi Arabia. ProQuest

  • Al-Eid GA (2000) Diagenetic facies of the late Permian Khuff-B reservoir, southern Ghawar: implications for reservoir quality distribution. King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals Dhahran, Saudi Arabia

  • Al-Husseini MI (2000) Origin of the Arabian Plate structures: Amar collision and Najd rift. GeoArabia 5:527–542

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Jallal IA (1995) The Khuff Formation: its regional reservoir potential in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries; depositional and stratigraphic approach. In: Middle east petroleum geosciences conference, GEO, pp 103–119

  • Alsharhan AS (2006) sedimentological character and hydrocarbon parameters of the middle Permian to Early Triassic Khuff Formation, united Arab Emirates. GeoArabia 11:121–158

    Google Scholar 

  • Alsharhan AS, Nairn AEM (1995) Stratigraphy and sedimentology of the Permian in the Arabian Basin and adjacent areas: a critical review. In: The Permian of Northern Pangea. Springer, pp 187–214

  • Alsharhan AS, Nairn AEM (1997) Sedimentary basins and petroleum geology of the Middle East. Elsevier, Amsterdam, New York, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Siddiqi A, Dawe RA (1999) Qatar’s oil and gasfields: a review. J Pet Geol 22:417–436

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Avseth P, Mukerji T, Mavko G (2010) Quantitative seismic interpretation: applying rock physics tools to reduce interpretation risk. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Bashari A (2005) Khuff formation Permian-Triassic carbonate in the Qatar-South Fars arch hydrocarbon province of the Persian Gulf. First Break 23:43–50

    Google Scholar 

  • Beydoun ZR (1986) The petroleum resources of the Middle East: a review. J Pet Geol 9:5–27

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bordenave ML (2008) The origin of the Permo-Triassic gas accumulations in the Iranian Zagros foldbelt and contiguous offshore areas: a review of the Palaeozoic petroleum system. J Pet Geol 31:3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bos CFM (1989) Planning of an appraisal/development program for the complex Khuff carbonate reservoir in the Yibal Field, north Oman. In: Middle East oil show. Society of Petroleum Engineers

  • Bosch M, Mukerji T, Gonzalez EF (2010) Seismic inversion for reservoir properties combining statistical rock physics and geostatistics: a review. Geophysics 75:75A165-75A176

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chiles J-P, Delfiner P (2009) Geostatistics: modeling spatial uncertainty. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Chopra S, Alexeev V, Pruden D (2004) Non-linearity in multi-attribute analysis—tackling. First Break 22:43–48

    Google Scholar 

  • Clerke EA (2009) Electrofacies and geological facies for petrophysical rock typing. In: Khuff C (ed) In: SPE Saudi Arabia section technical symposium. Society of Petroleum Engineers

  • Coléou T, Poupon M, Azbel K (2003) Unsupervised seismic facies classification: a review and comparison of techniques and implementation. Lead Edge 22:942–953

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dasgupta SN, Hong M-R, Al-Jallal IA (2002) Accurate reservoir characterization to reduce drilling risk in Khuff-C carbonate, Ghawar field, Saudi Arabia. GeoArabia 7:81–100

    Google Scholar 

  • Dehcheshmehi SM, Adabi MH, Hejazi SH (2013) Depositional facies and geochemistry of the Kangan formation in the South Pars Field, Persian Gulf (Iran). Carbonates Evaporites 28:297–307

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Doyen P (2007) Seismic reservoir characterization: an earth modelling perspective. EAGE Publications, Houten

    Google Scholar 

  • Dubois MK, Bohling GC, Chakrabarti S (2007) Comparison of four approaches to a rock facies classification problem. Comput Geosci 33:599–617

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dubrule O (2003) Geostatistics for seismic data integration in earth models: 2003 distinguished instructor short course. SEG Books. ISBN:1560801212, 9781560801214

  • Dunham RJ (1962) Classification of carbonate rocks according to depositional texture. AAPG Mem 1:108–121

    Google Scholar 

  • Ehrenberg SN (2006) Porosity destruction in carbonate platforms. J Pet Geol 29:41–52

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ehrenberg SN, Nadeau PH, Aqrawi AAM (2007) A comparison of Khuff and Arab reservoir potential throughout the Middle East. AAPG Bull 91:275–286

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Embry AF, Klovan JE (1971) A late Devonian reef tract on northeastern Banks Island, N.W.T. Bull Canadian Petrol Geol 19:730–781

    Google Scholar 

  • Esrafili-Dizaji B, Rahimpour-Bonab H (2019) Carbonate reservoir rocks at giant oil and gas fields in SW Iran and the adjacent offshore: a review of stratigraphic occurrence and poro-perm characteristics. J Pet Geol 42:343–370

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Esrafili-Dizaji B, Rahimpour-Bonab H (2009) 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 15:325–344

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Faqira M, Rademakers M, Afifi AM (2009) New insights into the Hercynian Orogeny, and their implications for the Paleozoic hydrocarbon system in the Arabian Plate. GeoArabia 14:199–228

    Google Scholar 

  • Faqira MI, Ahmed AS, Bakhiet AM, Vanlaer PJ (2012) Review of the Permo-Triassic Gas play in the Arabian Gulf region: third Arabian plate geology workshop, Part I. The Permo-Triassic Sequence of the Arabian plate. GeoArabia 17:215–219

    Google Scholar 

  • Fitch PJ, Lovell MA, Davies SJ et al (2015) An integrated and quantitative approach to petrophysical heterogeneity. Mar Pet Geol 63:82–96

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flügel E (2013) Microfacies of carbonate rocks: analysis, interpretation and application. Springer Science & Business Media, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Fraser AJ (2010) A regional overview of the exploration potential of the Middle East: a case study in the application of play fairway risk mapping techniques. In: Geological Society, London, petroleum geology conference series. Geological Society of London, pp 791–800

  • Ghavidel-Syooki M (1997) Palynostratigraphy and palaeogeography of Early Permian strata in the Zagros Basin, Southeast-southwest Iran. J Sci Islam Repub Iran 8:243–261

    Google Scholar 

  • Ghazban F (2007) Petroleum geology of the Persian Gulf. Joint publication. Tehran University Press and National Iranian Oil Company, Tehran

  • Ghorbani M (2019) Lithostratigraphy of Iran. Springer, Berlin

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Grana D, Dvorkin J (2011) The link between seismic inversion, rock physics, and geostatistical simulations in seismic reservoir characterization studies. Lead Edge 30:54–61

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haldorsen HH, Damsleth E (1990) Stochastic modeling (includes associated papers 21255 and 21299). J Pet Technol 42:404–412

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • IHS International Exploration & Production Database (2012) www.ihs.com

  • Insalaco E, Virgone A, Courme B et al (2006) Upper Dalan Member and Kangan Formation between the Zagros Mountains and offshore Fars, Iran: depositional system, biostratigraphy and stratigraphic architecture. GeoArabia 11:75–176

    Google Scholar 

  • James GA, Wynd JG (1965) Stratigraphic nomenclature of Iranian oil consortium agreement area. AAPG Bull 49:2182–2245

    Google Scholar 

  • James H, Peloso A, Wang J (2002) Volume interpretation of multi-attribute 3D surveys. First Break 20(3):176–180

    Google Scholar 

  • Jiang S (2019) Shale geoscience and engineering for petroleum exploration and development. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Journel AG, Alabert FG (1990) New method for reservoir mapping. J Pet Technol 42:212–218

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kashfi MS (1992) Geology of the Permian “super-giant” gas reservoirs in the Greater Persian Gulf Area. J Pet Geol 15:465–480

    Google Scholar 

  • Kashihara K, Tsuji T (2010) Improvement in facies discrimination using multiple seismic attributes for permeability modelling of the Athabasca Oil Sands, Canada. Explor Geophys 41:80–87

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kendall CG (2005) Sequence stratigraphy. University of South California, Los Angeles

    Google Scholar 

  • Köhrer B, Zeller M, Aigner T, Pöppelreiter M, Milroy P, Forke H et al (2010) Facies and stratigraphic framework of a Khuff outcrop equivalent: Saiq and Mahil formations, Al Jabal al- Akhdar, Sultanate of Oman. GeoArabia 15:91–156

    Google Scholar 

  • Koehrer B, Aigner T, Pöppelreiter M (2011) Field-scale geometries of Upper Khuff reservoir geobodies in an outcrop analogue (Oman Mountains, Sultanate of Oman). Pet Geosci 17:3–16

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lucia FJ (1995) Rock-fabric/petrophysical classification of carbonate pore space for reservoir characterization. AAPG Bull 79:1275–1300

    Google Scholar 

  • Ma YZ (2019a) Multiscale heterogeneities in reservoir geology and petrophysical properties. In: Quantitative geosciences: data analytics, geostatistics, reservoir characterization and modeling. Springer, Cham, pp 175–200

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Ma YZ (2019b) Quantitative geosciences: data analytics, geostatistics, reservoir characterization and modeling. Springer, Cham

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Maurer F, Martini R, Rettori R et al (2009) The geology of Khuff outcrop analogues in the Musandam Peninsula, United Arab Emirates and Oman. GeoArabia 14:125–158

    Google Scholar 

  • Moradpour M, Zamani Z, Moallemi SA (2008) Controls on reservoir quality in the lower Triassic Kangan formation, southern Persian Gulf. J Pet Geol 31:367–385

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Motiei H (1995) Petroleum geology of zagros. Geological Survey of Iran, Farsi

    Google Scholar 

  • Naseer MT, Asim S, Abbasi S (2016) Spectral decomposition and seismic attributes for clastic reservoir analysis of Miano Gas Field, Southern Indus Basin, Pakistan. Sindh Univ Res J SURJ 47(1):35–40

    Google Scholar 

  • Neal J, Abreu V (2009) Sequence stratigraphy hierarchy and the accommodation succession method. Geology 37:779–782

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pöppelreiter MC (2016) Permo-Triassic sequence of the Arabian Plate. EAGE Publications, Utrecht

    Google Scholar 

  • Posamentier HW, Jervey MT, Vail PR (1988) Eustatic controls on clastic deposition I: conceptual framework. In: Wilgus CK, Hastings BS, Kendall CGSC, Posamentier HW, Ross CA, van Wagoner JC (eds) Sea level changes: an integrated approach. Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists Special Publication, vol 42, pp 109–124

  • Rahimpour-Bonab H, Asadi-Eskandar A, Sonei R (2009) Effects of the Permian–Triassic boundary on reservoir characteristics of the South Pars gas field, Persian Gulf. Geol J 44:341–364

    Google Scholar 

  • Roncarolo F, Grana D (2010) Improved reservoir characterization integrating seismic inversion, rock physics model, and petroelastic log facies classification: a real case application. In: SPE annual technical conference and exhibition. Society of Petroleum Engineers

  • Sabouhi M, Naghaviazad M, Rezaee P (2019) Geostatistical lithofacies modeling of carbonate-evaporite succession-kangan formation-based on variography analysis and sequential indicator simulation method in one of the hydrocarbon fields of Persian Gulf. https://doi.org/10.22078/PR.2019.3630.2655

  • Sams M, Millar I, Satriawan W et al (2011) Integration of geology and geophysics through geostatistical inversion: a case study. First Break 29(8):47–56

    Google Scholar 

  • Setudehnia A (1975) The Paleozoic sequence at Zard Kuh and Kuh-e-Dinar. Bull Iran Pet Inst 60:16–33

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharland PR, Casey DM, Davies RB et al (2004) Arabian plate sequence stratigraphy—revisions to SP2. GeoArabia 9:199–214

    Google Scholar 

  • Stright L, Bernhardt A, Boucher A et al (2009) Revisiting the use of seismic attributes as soft data for subseismic facies prediction: proportions versus probabilities. Lead Edge 28:1460–1468

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Strohmenger CJ, Demko T, Mitchell J, Lehmann P, Feldman H, Alsahlan G, Al-Enezi H (2002) Regional sequence stratigraphic framework for the Burgan and Mauddud formations (Lower Cretaceous, Kuwait): implications for reservoir distribution and quality. In: 5th Middle East petroleum geosciences conference, GEO 2002, Abstracts. GeoArabia, vol 7, no 2, p 304

  • Szabo F, Kheradpir A (1978) Permian and Triassic stratigraphy, Zagros basin, south-west Iran. J Pet Geol 1:57–82

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vail PR (1977) Seismic stratigraphy and global changes of sea level. Bull Am Assoc Petrol Geol Mem 26:49–212

    Google Scholar 

  • Vail PR, Mitchum RM Jr, Thompson S III (1977) Seismic stratigraphy and global changes of sea level, Part 4: global cycles of relative changes of sea level. In: Payton CE (ed) Seismic stratigraphy—applications to hydrocarbon exploration. https://doi.org/10.1306/M26490C6

  • Van Wangoner JC, Posamentier HW, Mitchum RM, Vail PR, Sag J (1988) An overview of the fundamentals of sequence stratigraphy and key definitions. In: Wilgus CK, Hastings BS, Posamentier H, Van Wagoner J, Ross CA, Kendall CGSC (eds) Sea-level changes: an integrated approach. S.E.P.M. Spec Pub, vol 42, pp 39–45

  • Wang G, Carr TR (2012) Marcellus shale lithofacies prediction by multiclass neural network classification in the Appalachian Basin. Math Geosci 44:975–1004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wender LE, Bryant JW, Dickens MF, Neville AS, Al-Moqbel AM (1998) Paleozoic (Pre-Khuff) hydrocarbon geology of the Ghawar area, Eastern Saudi Arabia. GeoArabia 3(2):273–301

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson JL (1975) Carbonate facies in geologic history. Springer, Berlin

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Ziegler MA (2001) Late Permian to Holocene paleofacies evolution of the Arabian plate and its hydrocarbon occurrences. Geo Arabia 6(3):445–503

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors express their thanks to NIOC for permission to publish this work. The authors also wish to express their gratitude to Ms. S. Mohammadi and Mr. M. T. Nasser for thoughtful technical reviews that improved the quality of the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Hormozgan, Bandarabbas, Iran

    Mostafa Sabouhi & Payman Rezaee

  2. Jackson School of Geosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA

    Seyedalireza Khatibi

Authors
  1. Mostafa Sabouhi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Payman Rezaee
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Seyedalireza Khatibi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mostafa Sabouhi.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary file1 (RAR 28436 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Sabouhi, M., Rezaee, P. & Khatibi, S. An integrated approach to distribute carbonate reservoir properties, using lithofacies and seismic attributes: a case study from SW of Iran. Carbonates Evaporites 35, 125 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13146-020-00649-7

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13146-020-00649-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation