Abstract

This study investigates petrophysical and acoustic properties of two experimentally compacted reconstituted seal sequences (Late Triassic Snadd and Early Cretaceous Kolmule Formations) from two localities (Goliat field and Saline discovery) in the SW Barents Sea. Four samples were chosen from cuttings of two exploration wells 7122/7-3 (Goliat) and 7220/10-1 (Salina) drilled in the study area. The washed and freeze dried cutting samples were characterized for grain size analysis, geochemical (organic content) and mineralogical compositions. A total of eight compaction tests (four dry and four brine-saturated) were performed in the laboratory to apply a maximum vertical effective stress of 50 MPa. The maximum compaction observed in Snadd shale aggregates collected from the Goliat well (4.5% porosity). In order to study compaction history and seal integrity, the experimental results were compared with well log data. It is clear from comparison that the mechanical compaction of reconstituted shale and mudstone samples can be capable of describing natural processes, providing valuable insights on the state of mechanical/chemical compaction, and helping the seal integrity assessments. The results of this study will have applications in rock physics, basin modelling and top seal integrity.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.