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Sedimentology, sequence stratigraphy and their control on reservoirs quality in mid-Cretaceous Mishrif formation in East Rub al Khali Basin, Western UAE

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Abstract

The Cretaceous Mishrif Formation in the west UAE, East Rub al Khali Basin has got new discoveries; however, there is a lack of systematic and detailed research on the sedimentology, sequence stratigraphy and reservoir distribution of Mishrif Fm. Based on large amount of core and thin section observations, well logging and seismic interpretation, the sedimentary facie association, sequence stratigraphy, and sedimentary evolution of the Mishrif Formation are studied. Moreover, the distribution law and quality of the reservoir are characterized and evaluated. A set of platform carbonate rocks deposited as the Mishrif Formation in the research area, and five typical facie associations are recognized, including rudist-bearing reef, grain shoal, inter-shoal channel/hollow and fore-shoal slope. On this basis, a comprehensive sedimentary evolution model is established. The Mishrif Formation is interpreted as three third-order sequences and six forth-order sequences. In SQ1 and SQ2 sequences, a set of rimmed platform deposited, and ramp deposited in SQ3. Multi-stage platform margins and rudist-bearing reefs develop in HST (highstand systems tract cycles), and successively progradation to the Shilaif sub-basin in the east. The Mishrif reservoir is mostly composed of rudstone, grainstone, and packstone, with well-developed intergranular and dissolved pores. The total porosity reaches above 20%, and the permeability is 1–100 md. The reservoir quality is strongly controlled by facies’ associations and dissolution near sequence boundaries. Reef-shoal reservoirs near sequence boundaries in top of HST have higher porosity and permeability than those in other facies belts and position of sequence.

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Data Availability Statement

Data is not available for confidential reasons.

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Acknowledgements

The primary data and research process used in this paper are supported and guided by Abu Dhabi Project of Middle East Company, PetroChina.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. PetroChina Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development, Beijing, 100083, China

    Congsheng Bian, Tao Yang, Qingchun Zhang, Yongxin Li, Gang Liu, Haigang Duan, Beiwei Luo, Xinshun Zhang, Qingyu Huang, Peiguang Yang, Shuyuan Shi & Jing Zhang

  2. China National Oil and Gas Exploration and Development Corporation Ltd, Beijing, 100034, China

    Mingsheng Lv

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  1. Congsheng Bian
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Correspondence to Congsheng Bian.

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Bian, C., Yang, T., Zhang, Q. et al. Sedimentology, sequence stratigraphy and their control on reservoirs quality in mid-Cretaceous Mishrif formation in East Rub al Khali Basin, Western UAE. Carbonates Evaporites 37, 71 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13146-022-00814-0

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