Effects of Diagenesis and Depositional Settings on the Reservoir Quality of the Barremian-Aptian, Kharaib Formation: A Case Study from the Bahrain Field, Kingdom of Bahrain
Authors: Bardalaye Jayanta , Almuntaser Ali , Jaber Ibrahim , Phukan Madhujya L. , Siddiqi Saad A. , Raina Ishan 
Published: October 2022

The Barremian-Aptian, Kharaib Formation is among the main reservoir units in the Middle-East. The Kharaib Formation is broadly divisible into three main zones: the Upper, Middle and Lower Kharaib, which are defined based on their distinct sedimentological characteristics. The Kharaib interval has been extensively studied across the region; however, the inherent heterogeneity associated with sediments always makes it challenging for interpretation of the depositional facies, stratal geometries, and the prediction of their reservoir properties. This study focuses on the Middle and Upper Kharaib by integrating sedimentological, diagenetic, and pore-scale datasets to provide a better understanding of the depositional framework, diagenesis and its effects on the reservoir properties.

Dunham/Embry & Klovan classification (1971) scheme is used to describe the sediments, which determines lithofacies. Lithofacies that are genetically relatable are grouped into larger sets of associations. The lithofacies association represent their sedimentary environments of deposition. The grouping/stacking pattern of the sediments reflects a broad third-order sequence. Higher-order variations/sequences are either from localized topographical changes or energy variations or from sea-level changes, which thereby imparts lateral reservoir heterogeneity. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis defines the mineralogical composition, whereas pore-scale fabric/textural characteristics have been defined via conventional light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Sedimentological description of the Kharaib Formation showed varying textures ranging from mudstone to grain-rich floatstone, which are interpreted to be deposited in a broad homoclinal ramp setting. Petrographic evaluation of the sediments from the studied section highlighted the effects of diagenesis on reservoir properties with calcite cementation significantly reducing the reservoir quality (i.e., lower porosity and permeability). In contrast considerable micro and macropore enhancement due to secondary dissolution appears to negate the effects of cementation. In the studied sediments, the porosity comprises considerable abundance of primary and secondary macropores. The measured porosity varies from moderate to very good, while permeability is low to moderately high. Interrogation of conventional core analysis data establishes that the primary control on reservoir quality distribution is sediment texture and composition. The genetically distinct characteristics of lithofacies related to allochem assemblage, their abundance and size aid in defining the associations, which thereby provides the former fabric for the subsequent diagenetic alterations. The abundance of detrital clays in the middle Kharaib appears to be the primary cause of relatively poor reservoir quality. This study shows that both the original depositional texture/composition and diagenesis have had an important impact on shaping reservoir properties.

This integrated approach sheds light on the sedimentological make-up, depositional setting, and diagenetic overprint of the Kharaib Formation and their effect on the reservoir quality of various lithofacies. This understanding will further develop work related to pattern prediction of the Kharaib Formation, which may be extrapolated to uncored intervals for reservoir quality correlation and assessment.