Effect of bioturbation on reservoir rock quality of sandstones: A case from the Baram Delta, offshore Sarawak, Malaysia

With the Baram Delta in Malaysia as research subject, the effect of bioturbation on porosity and permeability of reservoir sandstones is evaluated and analyzed based on core and thin section analysis, EDX (energy-dispersive X-ray), FESEM (Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope), mercury porosim...

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Main Authors: Joel Ben-Awuah, Padmanabhan Eswaran
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. 2015-04-01
Series:Petroleum Exploration and Development
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876380415300094
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author Joel Ben-Awuah
Padmanabhan Eswaran
author_facet Joel Ben-Awuah
Padmanabhan Eswaran
author_sort Joel Ben-Awuah
collection DOAJ
description With the Baram Delta in Malaysia as research subject, the effect of bioturbation on porosity and permeability of reservoir sandstones is evaluated and analyzed based on core and thin section analysis, EDX (energy-dispersive X-ray), FESEM (Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope), mercury porosimetry and spot permeametry measurement. Samples are from cored intervals of two wells in the Baram Delta, W-1 and W-6. Analysis results indicate that the cored intervals in well W-1 are dominated by Diplocraterion ichnofabrics, intensely bioturbated, sediment packing activity is observed, and fine grade materials (clays and organic matter) from the host sediment are incorporated into burrow fills and linings, thereby decreasing isotropy and sorting of the sediments and reducing the local porosity and permeability in the burrows. The cored intervals in well W-6 are dominated by Ophiomorpha ichnofabrics, highly to intensely bioturbated, sediment cleaning activity by burrowing organisms results in cleaner and well sorted burrow fill materials, and clays and mud are cleaned from the burrow fill and host sediment and concentrated in the burrow linings. Porosity and permeability of reservoir rocks in the Baram Delta have therefore either been enhanced or reduced by bioturbation depending on the type of burrow, fill material and burrowing activity. Key words: Baram Delta, Sarawak basin, bioturbation, ichnofabric, burrows, rock heterogeneity, porosity, permeability, Ophiomorpha, Diplocraterion
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spelling doaj.art-8d6c876ac5f74d9caf9d5ee81e8f46e92022-12-21T20:19:57ZengKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.Petroleum Exploration and Development1876-38042015-04-01422223231Effect of bioturbation on reservoir rock quality of sandstones: A case from the Baram Delta, offshore Sarawak, MalaysiaJoel Ben-Awuah0Padmanabhan Eswaran1Corresponding author; Department of Geosciences, Faculty of Geosciences and Petroleum Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Tronoh, Perak 31750, MalaysiaDepartment of Geosciences, Faculty of Geosciences and Petroleum Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Tronoh, Perak 31750, MalaysiaWith the Baram Delta in Malaysia as research subject, the effect of bioturbation on porosity and permeability of reservoir sandstones is evaluated and analyzed based on core and thin section analysis, EDX (energy-dispersive X-ray), FESEM (Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope), mercury porosimetry and spot permeametry measurement. Samples are from cored intervals of two wells in the Baram Delta, W-1 and W-6. Analysis results indicate that the cored intervals in well W-1 are dominated by Diplocraterion ichnofabrics, intensely bioturbated, sediment packing activity is observed, and fine grade materials (clays and organic matter) from the host sediment are incorporated into burrow fills and linings, thereby decreasing isotropy and sorting of the sediments and reducing the local porosity and permeability in the burrows. The cored intervals in well W-6 are dominated by Ophiomorpha ichnofabrics, highly to intensely bioturbated, sediment cleaning activity by burrowing organisms results in cleaner and well sorted burrow fill materials, and clays and mud are cleaned from the burrow fill and host sediment and concentrated in the burrow linings. Porosity and permeability of reservoir rocks in the Baram Delta have therefore either been enhanced or reduced by bioturbation depending on the type of burrow, fill material and burrowing activity. Key words: Baram Delta, Sarawak basin, bioturbation, ichnofabric, burrows, rock heterogeneity, porosity, permeability, Ophiomorpha, Diplocraterionhttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876380415300094
spellingShingle Joel Ben-Awuah
Padmanabhan Eswaran
Effect of bioturbation on reservoir rock quality of sandstones: A case from the Baram Delta, offshore Sarawak, Malaysia
Petroleum Exploration and Development
title Effect of bioturbation on reservoir rock quality of sandstones: A case from the Baram Delta, offshore Sarawak, Malaysia
title_full Effect of bioturbation on reservoir rock quality of sandstones: A case from the Baram Delta, offshore Sarawak, Malaysia
title_fullStr Effect of bioturbation on reservoir rock quality of sandstones: A case from the Baram Delta, offshore Sarawak, Malaysia
title_full_unstemmed Effect of bioturbation on reservoir rock quality of sandstones: A case from the Baram Delta, offshore Sarawak, Malaysia
title_short Effect of bioturbation on reservoir rock quality of sandstones: A case from the Baram Delta, offshore Sarawak, Malaysia
title_sort effect of bioturbation on reservoir rock quality of sandstones a case from the baram delta offshore sarawak malaysia
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876380415300094
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