Heterogeneity of eolian sandstones and enhanced oil recovery

Conference · Fri Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1989 · AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (USA)

OSTI ID:5630793

Schenk, C J; Krystinik, L F ^[1]

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1. Geological Survey, Denver, CO (USA)

Eolian sandstones constitute a heterogeneous group of hydrocarbon reservoirs because of significant variations in sedimentology, diagenesis, and structural setting. Simple eolian reservoirs are associated with stratigraphic traps and generally produce from eolian-dune sandstones with preserved topographic relief. The main forms of heterogeneity in simple reservoirs are the stacking of stratification types (ripple, sandflow, and grainfall strata) and diagenetic variations within the eolian-dune sandstone. Simple reservoirs pose little difficulty to secondary and tertiary recovery technologies, provided directional permeabilities and fluid-flow pathways are known from careful analysis of core, dipmeter data, porosity logs, and, if possible, outcrop studies. Examples of simple eolian reservoirs are the Permian upper part of the Minnelusa Formation, Powder River basin, Wyoming, and the Jurassic Entrada Sandstone, San Juan basin, New Mexico. Complex eolian reservoirs are generally associated with structural traps where productive eolian-dune sandstones are intercalated with nonproductive sabkha, sand-sheet, or fluvial deposits, resulting in strongly layered reservoir behavior with respect to fluid flow and difficulties for EOR application. Heterogeneity in complex reservoirs is also caused by stratification types, diagenesis, and fractures in some reservoirs. Examples of complex eolian reservoirs include the Pennsylvanian-Permian Tensleep and Weber Sandstones of Wyoming and Colorado and the Jurassic Nugget Sandstone of Utah and Wyoming.

• OSTI ID: 5630793
• Report Number(s): CONF-8910195-; CODEN: AABUD
• Journal Information: AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (USA), Vol. 73:9; Conference: AAPG Rocky Mountain Section meeting, Albuquerque, NM (USA), 1-4 Oct 1989; ISSN 0149-1423
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
RESERVOIR ROCK
PERMEABILITY
POROSITY
SANDSTONES
COLORADO
DIAGENESIS
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FLUID FLOW
GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS
NEW MEXICO
PENNSYLVANIAN PERIOD
PERMIAN PERIOD
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FEDERAL REGION VI
FEDERAL REGION VIII
FOSSIL FUELS
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RECOVERY
RESOURCES
ROCKS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
USA
020200* - Petroleum- Reserves
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020300 - Petroleum- Drilling & Production