Technical Presentations

2022 - AAPG Carbonate Sequences and Reservoirs Conference

Nick Foote, Daniel Clay and Meriem Bertouche - The use of borehole image interpretation in characterising cement nodules and associated nodule-bound micro-fracture distribution in the Mauddud Formation, North Kuwait

The Lower Cretaceous Mauddud Formation in North Kuwait is a limestone-dominated transgressive-regressive sequence of about 380ft (116m) thick. As a key reservoir in North Kuwait, it has been extensively studied with permeability heterogeneity caused by diagenesis a concern for production. How cement is distributed through the reservoir from nodules to cement cycle tops, together with how fractures interact with the cements, has been the focus of previous studies (Dewever et al., 2020). However, minor variations in wireline log response across the carbonate succession makes extrapolating nodule distribution from cored to uncored intervals challenging with fractures undeterminable altogether. This study utilises BHI across 50 wells to characterise nodules and cements where core is absent to better understand these heterogeneities. This can be used to support the reservoir connectivity understanding and facilitate full field development planning.

2022 - AAPG Carbonate Sequences and Reservoirs Conference

Catherine Breislin and Laura Galluccio - Lateral Variability in Reservoir Quality of the Habshan Formation, Onshore Abu Dhabi, UAE

The controls on the reservoir quality variations of the Habshan Formation located in the north-west of onshore Abu Dhabi, are addressed in this study through an integrated sedimentological, petrographical and reservoir quality assessment. This evaluation is based on core analysis combined with thin-section, SEM, CCA, MICP and wireline log data across 6 wells.

2021 - ADIPEC

Catherine Breislin and Laura Galluccio - Reservoir Quality of the Miocene Formation Gas Deposits, Onshore Abu Dhabi

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.

2021 - ADIPEC

Anthony Tendil, Laura Galluccio and Catherine Breislin - New insights on the Lower Lekhwair Formation (Offshore Abu Dhabi): understanding the key role of Lithocodium/Bacinella floatstones on large scale reservoir quality variations

The Lower Cretaceous Lekhwair Formation is one of the most prolific oil reservoirs in onshore and offshore UAE, yet the available literature on this interval remains limited. Based on a recent study carried out in collaboration with ADNOC Offshore, the present paper provides new insights into the comprehension of the interplay between primary depositional and secondary diagenetic controls on the reservoir performance, which is of crucial importance for the refinement of the static and dynamic models.

2020 - ADIPEC

Laura Galluccio - Petroleum System Evaluation for Onshore SE Abu Dhabi, through the Integration of Five Sub Surface Discipline Studies

The assessment of a Petroleum System includes several steps, which comprise: detailed evaluation ofsource rock, charge history, trap, seal and reservoir. As a result, a multi-scale and multi-disciplinary approach was necessary to obtain a final cohesive product. This paper aimed to improve basin modelling and prospectivity evaluation thanks to the integration of structural geology analysis, geochemical analysis, petrophysical analysis, geophysical interpretation of seismic data, stratigraphic correlations and reservoir quality evaluations. An area in onshore SE Abu Dhabi was chosen for the 12-months Petroleum System Study, where fiveteams underwent rigorous technical work independently and in combination. All the analyzed data were combined to define potential leads and prospects and assess the areal risking at different stratigraphic intervals. The limitation of data availability on the eastern side of the study area, affected the confidence of the main results, but we were able to accomplish an advanced view of the risk and opportunity in the exploration for hydrocarbons within onshore SE Abu Dhabi.

2019 - ADIPEC

Meriem Bertouche - Multi-Scale Characterisation of the Structural Lineament Across the Thamama Successions in an Onshore Giant Field, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Throughout the UAE and the wider region, several broadly E-W orientated structural lineaments are observed on seismic within the Cretaceous successions and are described as strike-slip faults. However, in the studied field, these features have not been readily observed in well data. Instead, networks of fractures and deformation features are present in core and borehole images. A study was carried out in an attempt to calibrate well and seismic data and to understand the relationship between the seismically-resolved faults and the fractures observed on core. This study focuses on a dataset from the north-east part of the field, which includes BHI images, cores, full 3D CT scans and conventional logs in four penetrations, three of which are horizontal, drilled through the faults; as well as 3D seismic data and relevant derived horizons and fault polygon interpretations.

2019 - ADIPEC

Laura Galluccio - Enhanced Predictability of Lateral Variations in Reservoir Potential. Case Study from a Field-Scale Reservoir Characterisation of Jurassic Reservoirs, Offshore Abu Dhabi UAE

Two of the most important Jurassic reservoir units in offshore Abu Dhabi are characterised by intertidal to shallow marine carbonates that mainly comprise mud-dominated microbial bindstones (typically pervasively dolomitised) and peloidal/oolitic packstones and grainstones likely to represent small shoal systems developed seaward of large tidal flats. Interbedded within these deposits are cm-scale to m-scale supratidal sabkha anhydrite layers. This combination of facies results in a wide range of porosity and permeability values, which derive from the intricate interplay of depositional texture and diagenetic overprint. This study presents an integrated field-scale sedimentological, diagenetic and reservoir quality characterisation of these two members in offshore Abu Dhabi.

2018 - ADIPEC

Boris Kostic, Nicolas Foote and Meriem Bertouche - The Value of Integrated Borehole Image Analysis to Refine Geological Models: An Example from the Greater Burgan Field, Kuwait

Resistivity image logs are high-resolution tools that can help to unravel the depositional and structural organisation in a wellbore. They provide a particularly powerful dataset when calibrated against core, maximising their benefit for reservoir characterisation. This paper shows examples how very detailed image assessment from selected wells in the Greater Burgan Field has helped to constrain the stratigraphic model and depositional interpretations of the Cretaceous Burgan and Wara reservoirs.

2018 - North Africa Petroleum Exhibition and Conference

Rebecca Smith, Meriem Bertouche and Andrea James - Refining static models through an integrated approach to reservoir description: a case study from the fluvially-dominated Triassic Argilo-Gréseux Inférieur (TAGI) Formation, Berkine Basin, Algeria

A multi field-scale study of the Trias Argilo-Gréseux Inférieur (TAGI) Formation of the Berkine Basin, Algeria evaluating new and existing core, borehole image (BHI), wireline log, reservoir quality and production data, across 53 wells from Blocks 401/402 has allowed for a detailed investigation into the depositional evolution, resulting in the division of the TAGI into nine mapping layers. These layers best capture the large-scale variations in depositional and reservoir architecture. Within this sedimentological framework, the internal heterogeneity is captured through the evaluation of the plug-scale controls on reservoir quality, complemented by a detailed petrographical evaluation. The controls on reservoir quality include grain size, mud content and dolomite cementation. Evaluation in terms of the wireline log characteristics has established ranges in reservoir quality based on variations in the gamma ray (mud content and grain size) and bulk density response (% dolomite cements) respectively, thereby providing likely reservoir characteristics in the absence of conventional core analysis that are more intuitive than those based solely on log algorithms.

2017 - ADIPEC, Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference

Meriem Bertouche - Link Between Microporous Limestones and Elastic Properties in Tight Carbonates. A Case Study from the Lower Arab Formation Upper Jurassic, Onshore United Arab Emirates

The Lower Arab D Member (Kimmeridgian) in onshore UAE is typically characterised by a thick succession of homogeneous mudstones with local cm-scale interbedded bivalve-rich floatstones, which are thought to have been deposited in a low-energy mid-ramp setting. This sedimentological unit is located at the base of a sour gas reservoir that includes the oolitic grainstones of the Upper Arab D Member. The pore system in these micritic deposits is dominated by matrix-hosted microporosity, along with open to partially cemented fractures, primary intraparticle macropores and rare biomoulds in the shell beds. Through analysis of elastic moduli calculated from standard density, and shear/compressional sonic wireline logs, the relationship between micritic fabric, porosity, permeability and geomechanical properties has been explored and used to predict micron-scale micritic fabric distribution in uncored wells from wireline logs only.

2017 - ADIPEC, Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference

Boris Kostic - Origin of Complex Carbonate Pore Systems and Associated Reservoir Quality Variations: an Example From the Arab Formation Upper Jurassic, Onshore United Arab Emirates

This paper summarises the results of an intense reservoir appraisal programme that was conducted within a sour gas reservoir, onshore UAE, in order to determine the controls on porosity presence, distribution and effectiveness. This multiwell study was conducted over less than 5 years in order to define and predict porosity sweet-spots, and prepare for first gas, which was achieved in 2015. Focus is on the Arab D Member of the Arab Formation, the thickest and volumetrically most significant reservoir interval. It comprises an upward-cleaning succession of lime mudstone, peloidal and skeletal packstone and oolitic grainstone, culminating in a clay-rich, brecciated emergent surface. The entire succession shallows upwards from very low energy, basinal mudstones into cross-bedded oolitic grainstones that were deposited in a shoal complex that protected a gently agitated lagoon. Low skeletal diversity and the abundance of ooids are indicative of slightly elevated salinities; the abundance of anhydrite within the overalying Arab A/B/C and Hith Formation is indicative of basin dessication.

2017 - Kuwait Oil and Gas Show and Conference and ADIPEC, Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference

Meriem Bertouche - Predictability of the Sedimentological Make-up and Reservoir Quality in the Mauddud Formation Using FMI Logs - A Case Study from a North Kuwait Field

The Late Albian Mauddud Formation of North Kuwait is composed of inner ramp carbonates and deltaic clastics. It hosts prolific hydrocarbon reserves in Kuwait and across the Arabian Gulf region where the reservoirs are typically the carbonate deposits. Accurately predicting the reservoir properties in the Mauddud Formation is challenging due to the non-unique wireline signatures, which result from the inherent diagenetic heterogeneity and complexity. 385ft of continuous FMI image log data, collected from a single well covering the entire formation in a north Kuwait field, has been analysed to assess its potential to characterise and extrapolate the sedimentological, diagenetic and reservoir characteristics into uncored wells. Nine distinct image facies have been defined, each of which display a specific image fabric. The image facies have been calibrated with core, thin section petrographic observations and core plug data to aid reservoir quality predictability.

2017 - Kuwait Oil and Gas Show and Conference

Boris Kostic and Nicolas Foote - The value of integrated borehole image analysis to refine geological models: an example from the Greater Burgan Field, Kuwait

Resistivity image logs are high-resolution tools that can help to unravel the depositional and structural organisation in a wellbore. They provide a particularly powerful dataset when calibrated against core, maximising their benefit for reservoir characterisation. This paper shows examples how very detailed image assessment from selected wells in the Greater Burgan Field has helped to constrain the stratigraphic model and depositional interpretations of the Cretaceous Burgan and Wara reservoirs.

2017 - AAPG SEG International Conference and Exhibition

Boris Kostic and Nicolas Foote - Refined reservoir architecture of the Early Cretaceous Burgan and Wara Formations in the Greater Burgan Field, South Kuwait.

The Greater Burgan Field in South Kuwait is the world's largest siliciclastic reservoir with producing zones from a series of Cretaceous reservoirs including the Burgan and Wara Formations. Key to an optimised development of these important reservoirs is an improved geological understanding of their reservoir architecture and connectivity within a robust stratigraphic framework. This was derived from a multidisciplinary study of 123 cored wells, integrating core sedimentology, petrography, bio- and chemostratigraphy, well and image logs.

2017 AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition

Adrian Neal - Detailed Reservoir Characterization by Integrating Core, 3-D CT Scan and Borehole Imaging Datasets

This study presents detailed sedimentological and structural interpretations from a deepwater turbidite reservoir, generated by integrating 3D CT scans, BHI and core-based observations. Firstly, the 3D CT scans allow more detailed recognition of sedimentary facies; commonly sandstones that seem structureless in the slabbed core are shown to be space-laminated or dewatered in the CT scans. Secondly, by using bedding features common to both the BHI and core data sets, it is possible to orient the 3D CT scans and demonstrate that interpreted fractures in the BHI correspond to deformation band sets in the core.

2016 - William Smith Meeting 2016 - Glaciated Margins: The Sedimentary & Geophysical Archive

Rebecca Smith - New insights into the Al Khlata to Lower Gharif succession of North Oman

This paper examines the character of the Al Khlata deposits and the nature to the transition to the Lower Gharif across North Oman through the interpretation and correlation of core, borehole image and wireline log data.

2015 - AAPG Siliclastic Reservoirs of the Middle East GTW

Boris Kostic - Reservoir architecture of the Cretaceous Upper Burgan deltaic deposits in North Kuwait

This poster presents a an improved geological understanding of the reservoir architecture and connectivity of the Upper Burgan Formation within a robust stratigraphic layering framework, which is key to an optimised development of this important reservoir.

2014 - AAPG International Conference and Exhibition

Meriem Bertouche and Andrea James - Field-Scale Reservoir Quality Variations and Predictability in Uncored Intervals within the Arab Formation, offshore Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates)

This field-scale study presents the results of integrated sedimentology and reservoir quality assessment of the Arab Formation Members A to D, offshore Abu Dhabi. The reservoir quality evaluation based on conventional core analyses data, thin-sections and logs highlighted that reservoir potential was initially closely related to facies variations. The distribution of reservoir quality within the limits of the stratigraphic cycles is investigated to understand the impact of the sedimentological and diagenetic influences on reservoir behaviour and distribution.

2014 - AAPG International Conference and Exhibition

Neil Bishop, Jon Gant, Meriem Bertouche and Andrea James - Enhancing the Sedimentological Understanding within the Arab Formation (Upper Jurassic), Abu Dhabi - Constraining the Future Reservoir Model Build

Correlation and prediction of facies and reservoir quality variability/heterogeneity within shallow carbonate ramp deposits of the Arab Formation in an Abu Dhabi offshore field has previously proved challenging. This study, focuses on the results of an integrated sedimentology and reservoir quality assessment of the Arab Formation. Specific focus has been placed on detailing depositional architecture, within which variations in reservoir properties have been identified.

2014 - SPE/EAGE European Unconventional Conference and Exhibition

Boris Kostic - An Integrated Approach Towards a Holistic Sedimentological and Pore-Scale Characterisation of Fine-Grained (Shale) Unconventional Reservoirs

This paper illustrates an example of unconventional reservoir characterisation of a fine-grained formation from the North Sea where the specific aims were to establish the depositional framework for recognising sedimentary environments, recommend sample locations to target specific queries within the sedimentological context for petrographical and geochemical analyses, to investigate what porosity types are present and to assess 'brittleness' of the rocks.

2013 - 30th IAS Meeting of Sedimentology

Meriem Bertouche and Mike Ashton - Pore-scale fabric as a tool to distinguish in situ from remobilised mudrocks in deepwater deposits

Traditional core logging cannot always distinguish in situ from remobilised mudrocks due to the absence of diagnostic criteria, particularly from single core. Image logs generally can help to differentiate the origin of mudrocks, but where the scale of deformation/slumping is below tool resolution, it might prove difficult to confidently comment on the nature of mudrock origin.

2013 - SPE Advanced Carbonate Reservoir Characterisation Workshop

Meriem Bertouche and Andrea James - Reservoir Characterisation of the Arab Formation (Upper Jurassic), offshore Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates)

Correlation and prediction of reservoir quality variability/heterogeneity within shallow carbonate ramp deposits of the Arab Formation has previously proved challenging. This study presents the results of an integrated reservoir characterisation (including sedimentology, reservoir quality assessment and openhole logs response) of the Arab Formation Members X1 to X4 in a major oil-bearing reservoir located in the offshore Abu Dhabi.

2013 - EAGE 2nd Iraq Workshop

Boris Kostic - An integrated description of the stratigraphy and depositional environment of the “Main Pay” member of the Zubair Formation, Rumaila, Iraq

This study presents a hierarchical integrated sedimentological and palynological description of the Zubair Formation, including the early Cretaceous stratigraphic, palaeogeographic and palaeoclimatic context; depositional processes, genetic elements and delta advance-retreat cycles and builds to the development of a depositional model for the Formation.

2013 - AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition

Boris Kostic - Increase Productive Life and Add to In-Place Oil in Mature Reservoirs with Integrated Studies: Zubair Reservoir in Kuwait

The Zubair reservoir is an Albian siliciclastic reservoir on production for the last six decades. Cumulative production indicates a higher oil recovery factor than expected. An integrated study involving sequence stratigraphy, sedimentology, biostratigraphy, petrophysics and modeling techniques resulted in a better understanding of rock fabric, mineralogical composition, depositional settings and their evolution leading to discovery of more in-place oil and a rejuvenated development plan.

2010 - AAPG International Convention and Exhibition

Boris Kostic - Integrated Reservoir Characterization in Pursuit of a Heavy Oil Giant in the Arctic

Alaska’s North Slope is a world-class petroleum basin with some of the largest producing fields in North America. What is not widely known is the vast resource of heavy oil in shallow sands overlying these light oil reservoirs. Development of heavy oil in the Arctic represents a significant departure from conventional light oil developments on the North Slope as well as established heavy oil developments elsewhere in the world. To progress this opportunity, BP has initiated an appraisal program focused on the portion of the heavy oil resource within the Lower Ugnu (M-sand) reservoirs.

2006 - AAPG Annual Conference and Exhibition

Andrea James - A sedimentological and diagenetic description of the Carboniferous section in RKF Field, Berkine Basin, Algeria

Sedimentological, diagenetic and palynological description of the Carboniferous section (RKF Sands) was carried out on one RKF well. This study allows an improved understanding of the depositional environments and the architecture of the reservoir, along with its quality (diagenetic effects) and age. These data will be important in 3D modelling.

2006 - American Association of Petroleum Geologists Annual Meeting

Boris Kostic - Depositional Environments, Architecture and Diagenesis of Fahud Field, Oman

Fahud Field is a giant fractured carbonate reservoir in the Sultanate of Oman. It is contained in the Natih Formation, a 450m thick section of Albian to Turonian high porosity, low permeability shallow water carbonates. Deposition occurred over a period of three regionally correlatable third order cycles in environments ranging from source rocks deposited in intrashelf basins, mud-dominated wacke/packstones of slope environments, coarse rudist sand shoals, tidal flats to back-shoal lagoons. On a large scale reservoir architecture is layer-cake and well constrained by some 400 wells. However, a close look at seismic, outcrop analogues and performance indicated the likelihood of significant internal heterogeneity.

2000 - EAGE 62nd Conference and Technical Exhibition

Mike Ashton - Fault and fracture prediction from coherence data analysis, a case study - The Magnus Field, UKCS

This paper presents a new approach to fault and fracture interpretation, FaultMagic®, which is based on the analysis of coherence and the integration of borehole data. It allows the interpreter to produce detailed and highly accurate fault and fracture maps using a data-driven approach. Interpreter bias is removed, and the speed and efficiency of mapping greatly increased.