Petrophysical Properties of Ferron Sandstone During Two-Phase Flow: Implications for Heterogeneity in Tertiary Deltaic Reservoirs

Abstract

Abstract This study was part of a comprehensive program of quantitative characterization of heterogeneity in fluvial-deltaic reservoirs, using the Ferron, Utah outcrop as an analog reservoir. A suite of petrophysical properties were measured simultaneously in the laboratory for over sixty specimens, representing different geologic facies, flow units, and barriers. Properties included porosity, permeability, electrical conductivity, shear and compressional wave velocities, and quasi-static moduli, measured under simulated reservoir conditions during two-phase steady-state flow of gas and brine, in both drainage and imbibition. Petrographic data on each sample were also gathered, including quantification of detrital and authigenic phases, thin-section porosity, textural and grain-size distribution analyses. Centrifuge capillary pressures on plugs from the laboratory test specimens were also measured. Minipermeameter determinations of test specimen air permeabilities were conducted in companion studies. Statistical studies were conducted to relate petrophysical data to petrographic information in an attempt to examine the correlation of petrophysical data with geologic genesis and diagenesis. Reasonable correlations were obtained for most of the data, that may be of use in other similar fluvial-deltaic environments. These types of correlations may also be of use in discerning expected statistical distributions of petrophysical data other than permeability.