Determination of reservoir flow units from core data: A case study of the lower cretaceous sandstone reservoirs, Western Bredasdorp basin offshore in South Africa

Abstract

The overarching aim of this study is to use core measurements of porosity and permeability in three wells (MO1, MO2, and MO3) to generate a scheme of sandstone reservoir zonation for identification of flow units in the E-M gas field of the Western Bredasdorp Basin Offshore in South Africa. The evaluation method began by establishing rock types within a geological framework that allowed the definition of five facies, grouped as facies A, B, C, D, and E. Facies A was recognized as the best petrophysical rock type. In contrast, facies E was recognized as impervious rock. The results of independent reservoir classification methods were integrated to identify flow zones that yielded positive results. The results ultimately culminated in a zonation scheme for the Basin. Twelve flow zones were identified and were broadly classified as high, moderate, low, very low, and tight zones. The high zone was characterized by pore throat radius of ≥ 10 μm, flow zone index (FZI) of ≥ 5.0 μm, and flow unit efficiency (FUE) of ≥ 0.8.