Contribution of bedding to the petrophysical characterization of naturally fractured reservoirs: Example of the Matachines fields, Upper Magdalena Valley (Valle Superior del Magdalena – VSM) Colombia

Abstract

The Matachines field, located in the Girardot subbasin, Upper Magdalena Valley (Valle Superior del Magdalena – VSM) basin, has a morphology characterized by antiforms arranged along a N–S axis. These antiforms involve multiphase tectono-sedimentary sequences with half-graben geometries associated with Mesozoic sequences reactivated by at least three Andean phases. Bedding surfaces are mechanically active planes that contribute to the flexural slip that is generated by the folding of multilithologic sequences. In the Matachines field, the bedding planes help to improve the petrophysical characteristics of the reservoirs by incorporating a significant number of discontinuities, which complement the fluid connectivity. Thus, the subhorizontal planes are linked to subvertical fractures preferentially arranged in the ENE–WSW direction, generated by horizontal compressive stress. In particular, these effects are magnified on the western flank and hinge zone of the anticline structure, where they contribute greatly to the connectivity of the production wells. In naturally fractured reservoirs, the correct 4D technical and economic evaluation of the quality and arrangement of discontinuities is essential to determine their actual contribution to improving the petrophysical properties of such reservoirs. Accordingly, many methods often used to study wells from core samples or images identify, along with different types of fractures, the presence of bedding surfaces, although they evaluate them separately, so they overlook petrophysical factors that affect the porosity and permeability of the wells. The present study discusses the genetic and morphological aspects of bedding surfaces that enhance the petrophysical potential of reservoirs, which usually have limited primary values of permeability and porosity, to meet the economic expectations of specific resources in hydrocarbon exploration and/or production activities.