Pre-requisites, processes, and prediction of chlorite grain coatings in petroleum reservoirs: A review of subsurface examples

Abstract

Deeply buried reservoirs containing chlorite-coated quartz sand grains commonly have higher than expected porosity and permeability, although prediction of such positive anomalies still remains elusive. A total of 54 published examples based on information and data from 62 scientific papers was collated. Quantification of some of the most common parameters including depositional environment, age and latitude of sand deposition, effect on reservoir quality and chemical composition of chlorite is presented.The dataset indicates that chlorite-coats are found in sandstones deposited in a range of depositional environments, but most commonly occur in delta-related environments (44%), with fluvial environments the second most common (19%). Age relationships indicate that there is an overall exploration bias in published examples, with chlorite-coats becoming increasingly common through time. The latitude at the time of deposition of sands with chlorite-coats is wide (60°N–60°S), and indicates that temperate and tropical climates are important for the generation of this clay mineral. Chlorite can have a variable effect on reservoir quality, but is typically positive. Iron-rich chlorites occur overwhelmingly in coastal environments, while mixed iron- and magnesium-rich chlorites are principally found in marine and terrestrial sandstones.Analysis of these factors suggests that hinterland geology, basinal soil development and geochemical weathering, and proximity to river systems are essential to the formation of chlorite precursor phases. These characteristics have been combined to define situations where chlorite-coats were more likely or more unlikely to form. These parameters will provide insights into the formation of chlorite and to further refine predictive models for the presence or absence of chlorite-coated sandstones.