Microporosity of the Shuaiba Formation: The Link Between Depositional Character and Diagenesis in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Authors: Phukan Madhujya L , Siddiqi Saad A , Robert Matthew J 
Published: December 2021

Objectives/Scope

This study focuses on assessing the uncertainties related to sedimentological heterogeneity and the diagenetic variability within the gas-condensate reservoirs of the Shuaiba Formation, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

Methods, Procedures, Process

For characterizing the sedimentology of the Shuaiba Formation, a lithofacies scheme has been developed on the basis of Dunham's (1962) and Embry & Klovan classification (1971). The lithofacies are grouped on the basis of their genetic relationships which also correspond to their depositional environment, and are designated as lithofacies associations. A pore-scale fabric/textural investigation was completed using conventional thin-section microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).

Results, Observations, Conclusions

The Shuaiba sediments are characterized by skeletal-rich wackestone/packstones to floatstones deposited in an inner ramp setting. The stacking pattern of the inner ramp deposits define broad third order trends observed across the studied field.These trends are relatable to the regional sequence stratigraphic framework of Sharland et al. (2001). In higher order sequences, lateral variations in lithology occur, defining the reservoir heterogeneity, which are most likely forced by topographic/hydrodynamic variation as well as sea level changes.

Reservoir quality distribution is controlled by various factors, including the depositional texture and allochem assemblage (abundance, type, and size). Diagenetic alteration of the textures played an important role in determining overall reservoir quality. The pore enhancing phases are defined by dissolution events, where later stage dissolution was the dominant phase to enhance micropores and also to create meso- to macropores which partially to completely negated the effect of previous cementing phases. In these Shuaiba deposits, the porosity comprises common matrix-hosted as well as grain-hosted micropores along with variably distributed intraparticle and rare mouldic meso- to macropores. The measured porosity ranges from very poor to moderate (0.5-17%) while permeability is very low to low (&lt;0.001-1.49 mD).

The detailed petrographic analysis highlighted that changes in micritic fabric shows a variation in the reservoir properties. From SEM observations, it was noted that microcrystalline calcite crystals of polyhedral to sub-rounded morphologies with intercrystalline contacts ranging from facial to sub-punctic, which display relatively a good microporosity developement, whereas crystals that show anhedral compact character with coalescent/fused intercrystalline contacts are rarely associated with any microporosity.

Novel/Additive Information

In addition to SEM characterization, porosity data and elastic properties (e.g., Young's moduli) generated from the interpretation of the well-log data, were used to investigate the prospective relationship between the microporous carbonates and elastic properties. The comparisons highlight that an increase in porosity values results in a decrease of Young's moduli values, thereby reflecting a decrease in the stiffness of the rock. On the other hand, the increase in porosity maybe linked to the evolution of anhedral, compact, micritic fabric to polyhedral/sub-rounded micritic fabric. The understanding of this relationship provides a powerful tool to be utilized in reservoir architecture prediction based on integrating the sedimentological framework and diagenetic overprint.