Reservoir Quality of the Miocene Formation Gas Deposits, Onshore Abu Dhabi
Authors: Breislin Catherine , Galluccio Laura , Al Tameemi Kate , Khan Riaz , Abdelaal Atef 
Published: December 2021

Understanding reservoir architecture is key to comprehend the distribution of reservoir quality when evaluating a field's prospectivity. Renewed interest in the tight, gas-rich Middle Miocene anhydrite intervals (Anh-1, Anh-2, Anh-3, Anh-4 and Anh-6) by ADNOC has given new impetus to improving its reservoir characterisation. In this context, this study provides valuable new insights in geological knowledge at the field scale within a formation with limited existing studies.

From a sedimentological point of view, the anhydrite layers of the Miocene Formation, Anh-1, Anh-2, Anh-3, Anh-4 and Anh-6 (which comprise three stacked sequences: Bur1, Bur2 and Bur3; Hardenbol et al., 1998), have comparable depositional organisation throughout the study area. Bur1 and Bur2 are characterised by an upward transition from intertidal-dominated deposits to low-energy inner ramp-dominated sedimentation displaying reasonably consistent thickness across the area. Bur3 deposits imply an initial upward deepening from an argillaceous intertidal-dominated to an argillaceous subtidal-dominated setting, followed by an upward shallowing into intertidal and supratidal sabkha-dominated environments. This Bur3 cycle thickens towards the south-east due to a possible deepening, resulting in the subtle increase in thickness of the subtidal and intertidal deposits occurring around the maximum-flooding surface. The interbedded relationship between the thin limestone and anhydrite layers within the intertidal and proximal inner ramp deposits impart strong permeability anisotropy, with the anhydrite acting as significant baffles to vertical fluid flow.

A qualitative reservoir quality analysis, combining core sedimentology data from 10 wells, 331 CCA data points, 58 thin-sections and 10 SEM samples has identified that reservoir layers Anh-4 and Anh-6 contain the best porosity and permeability values, with the carbonate facies of the argillaceous-prone intertidal and distal inner ramp deposits hosting the best reservoir potential. Within these facies, the pore systems within the carbonate facies are impacted by varying degrees of dolomitisation and dissolution which enhance the pore system, and cementation (anhydrite and calcite), which degrade the pore system. The combination of these diagenetic phases results in the wide spread of porosity and permeability data observed.

The integration of both the sedimentological features and diagenetic overprint of the Middle Miocene anhydrite intervals shows the fundamental role played by the depositional environment in its reservoir architecture. This study has revealed the carbonate-dominated depositional environment groups within the anhydrite stratigraphic layers likely host both the best storage capacity and flow potential. Within these carbonate-dominated layers, the thicker, homogenous carbonate deposits would be more conducive to vertical and lateral flow than thinner interbedded carbonates and anhydrites, which may present as baffles or barriers to vertical flow and create significant permeability anisotropy.