Middle Eastern carbonate reservoirs – the critical impact of discrete zones of elevated permeability on reservoir performance

Abstract Middle Eastern carbonate petroleum reservoirs exhibit a range of heterogeneities which consist of variable combinations of primary stratigraphic and secondary diagenetic and structural characteristics. These produce diverse permeability architectures which can exert a profound influence on reservoir performance during secondary recovery. Of particular importance are laterally persistent discrete zones of elevated permeability (DZEP) that typically make up a volumetrically minor proportion of the reservoir yet show disproportionately high fluid inflow or outflow. The stratigraphic, diagenetic and structural origins of elevated permeability in Middle Eastern carbonate reservoirs are considered here and the consequences of such features for reservoir performance are discussed. The term DZEP denotes geological sources of elevated permeability at least an order of magnitude greater than background reservoir properties. Stratigraphically organized DZEP comprise coarse-grained layers, event beds or parasequence tops or bases in neritic or platform interior settings. Other origins include bioturbated layers, grainy clinothems and bed-scale, grain-size variations in shoal deposits. Diagenetic DZEP are typically dissolution horizons with mouldic and touching-vug pore networks or dolomitized intervals which often overprint stratigraphic DZEP. Structural DZEP include individual faults, fracture corridors and fracture concentrations related to mechanical stratigraphy. During production through natural pressure depletion, DZEP may dominate well productivity. Under secondary recovery, the same intervals may dominate inter-well fluid flow, causing flood conformance issues, cross-zone fluid movement, bypassed pay and earlier-than-expected water or gas breakthrough to production wells. Optimization of production and ultimate recovery rely on collecting the correct kinds of data at a sufficiently early stage in the reservoir characterization process to permit their inclusion in static and dynamic reservoir models.