Petrophysical evaluation of sandstone gas reservoir using integrated well logs and core data for the Lower Cretaceous Kharita formation, Western Desert, Egypt

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate Kharita gas reservoir to enhance the production. The increase in water-cut ratio reduces the left hydrocarbons’ amount behind pipe. Accurate determination of pore throats, pores connectivity and fluid distribution are central elements in improved reservoir description. The integration of core and logging data responses is often used to draw inferences about lithology, depositional sequences, facies, and fluid content. These inferences are based on petrophysical models utilizing correlations among tools’ responses as well as rocks and fluids properties. Upper Kharita Formation produces gas and condensate from the clastic sandstone in Badr-3 field, western desert of Egypt. It consists mainly of sandstone with shale intercalations. It is subdivided into three sub-units Kharita A, Kharita B and Kharita C that are in pressure communication. Hence, a new further investigation and review for the previously calculated GIIP (gas initially in place) was initiated. The results of this study yielded that the main uncertainty in the volumetric calculations was the petrophysical evaluation; subsequently, a new unconventional petrophysical evaluation approach was performed. The sands thickness in Upper Kharita Formation varies between more than 9 up and more than 61 m with average porosity values range between 0.08 and 0.17 PU while the average permeability values range between 1.89 and 696.66 mD. The average hydrocarbon saturation values range between 46 and 97%. The sands thickness in Upper Kharita Formation varies between more than 9 up and more than 61 m with average porosity values range between 0.08 and 0.17 PU while the average permeability values range between 1.89 and 696.66 mD. The average hydrocarbon saturation values range between 46 and 97%. Reservoir shale cutoff of 55% by using cross-plot between shale volume and porosity (Toby Darling concept) was utilized to discriminate the reservoir from non-reservoir sections. The porosity model was used to calculate reservoir porosity, using the density log. The Archie and saturation/height function models were used to calculate the water saturation and used to calibrate the water saturation in the transition zone. The porosity–permeability (POR-PERM) transform equation was used to estimate the reservoir connectivity (absolute permeability) for the four petrophysical facies (High Quality Reservoir, Moderate Quality Reservoir, Low Quality Reservoir and Highly Shale Reservoir). Core data have shown variations in reservoir quality parameters (porosity and permeability) from one well to the other. Integration of all the reservoir pressures indicated that there are different fluid types (oil, gas and water) in the Upper Kharita Formation level. The saturation/height function model was used to calibrate the saturation in the transition zone. The integration of geological core and geophysical log data helped to conduct a comprehensive petrophysical assessment of Upper Kharita Formation for a better estimation of the reservoir and to achieve a better understanding of the water encroachment in the Upper Kharita reservoir. The big challenge is the determination of the most correct model for calculating porosity, permeability and water saturation in this reservoir of different quality sand. The new petrophysical evaluation resulted in doubling the volumes in Upper Kharita reservoir and so a perforation campaign was performed to confirm the new volumetric calculations, which showed a good match with the model results. Hence, a new well was drilled targeting the low quality sand and found them with high pressure almost near virgin pressure.