Geological Society of America

67 D18. Sedimentary Geology and Stratigraphy (Posters)

Sunday, 22 March 2020
1:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Lake Anne

RESERVOIR CHARACTERIZATION OF THE ASMARI FORMATION, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: THE ROLE OF DEPOSITIONAL ENVIRONMENT AND DIAGENESIS IN DETERMINING THE POROSITY AND PERMEABILITY PROPERTIES OF THE RESERVOIR LIMESTONE

Paper number: 67-10
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM

Authors

Alanoud M. Al Ali Presenting Author
University of Delaware, Newark, DE
Alanoud M. Al Ali Presenting Author
United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain
Ronald E. Martin
University of Delaware, Newark, DE
Peter McLaughlin
Delaware Geological Survey University of Delaware, DGS Bldg, Newark, DE

Abstract

We examined the depositional facies, sequence stratigraphy and reservoir characteristics of three stratigraphic sections of the Early Oligocene Asmari Formation in Al Ain City, United Arab Emirates (UAE) to determine 1) the relationship between sedimentation cycles and the porosity and permeability properties of Asmari formation, and 2) how the petrophysical properties were related to the paleo-depositional environments and tectonics.

Sedimentation cycles associated with sequence boundaries were identified using a combination of sand-to-mud ratios and changes in foraminiferal biofacies in combination with porosity and permeability, XRD and XRF.

Preliminary facies analysis suggested two possible sequence boundaries in the Asmari present at the Senayah locality section, and this is attributed to the presence of clay minerals in the examined bed units. The alternation of marl and limestone beds deposition and the presence of an aerial exposure suggest a possible small-scale sedimentation cycle. Porosity and permeability in the Asmari Formation range from 3.5% -19.98% and 0.11 mD – 9.17mD, respectively. The porosity and permeability trends and their relation to sedimentation cycles helped identify the prospects for petroleum exploration and production.

This research is funded by the United Arab Emirates government through UAE University – National Teaching Assistant Program.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 52, No. 2

doi: 10.1130/abs/2020SE-345148

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