Well Log Petrophysics of the Cretaceous Pay Zones in Zubair Field, Basrah, South Iraq

Abstract

Discovered in 1949 with a rate of (195,000) bbl/day from pay zones in Mishrif and Zubair Formation, the expected production of Zubair field is anticipated to be 1125 million bbl/day. Despite this production history, there is a major deficiency in detailed petrophysical analysis of the producing zones. In the present study well log data of 7 wells, selected from numerous wells, are investigated in details to examine the reservoir properties and characterize the reservoir architecture. The petrophysical analysis of Mishrif Formation indicated two or three pay zones. Lithologically, all zones of Mishrif Formation are dominantly clean limestone to dolomitic limestone with zone 2 and 3 reporting higher dolomitic content (20% to 40%) compared to zone 1 (6% to 13%). Mishrif pay zones indicated a relatively good porosity (18% -24%) with zone 2 predominant in secondary porosity associating dolomitization processes. In Zubair Formation one pay zone is identified but locally could separate into two zones. The clay content is generally low with average content between 2% and 3% while the average porosity showed slightly better values in zone 1 (~0.20) compared to average porosity of zone 2 (0.17) that is rich in silt content associating deposition at a relatively deeper parts of the shelf. The average water saturation shows distinct lower values that vary between 15% and 18.7%. The petrophysical results are statistically analyzed and property histograms and crossplots are constructed to investigate mutual relationships. Such analysis is essential for understanding the reservoir architecture and calculations of reservoir capacity for future development.