EAGE Student Lecture Tour 2013-2014

Petrophysics of Fractured Granite Basement

(FGB) Reservoir
Dr. P. H. Giao

Associate Professor in Geoexploration & Petroleum Geoengineering

Geotechnical & Earth Resources Engineering Field
School of Engineering & Technology
Asian Institute of Technology (AIT)
Email: hgiao@ait.asia

Outline of the lecture

Fractured (Granite Basement) vs. Clastic reservoir: similarities and
differences?
Granite formation, weathering and fracturing
Plate tectonic theory & rift basin development
The Cuu Long basin: petroleum system and fractured granite basement
Distribution of naturally fractured reservoirs (NFR) in the world
What is petrophysics?
Petrophysical model and log response equation (LRE) of clastic and
fractured granite basement (FGB) reservoirs: comparison & discussion
Well log analysis workflow: quick look & full interpretation
Some additional issues : geopressure, low resistivity, detection of fracture
orientation, application of soft computing (ANN) in log analysis
Q&A

Time Table
Time

Topics

Part I:1h15h

Fractured (Granite Basement) vs. Clastic reservoir: similarities and differences?

Granite formation, weathering and fracturing
Plate tectonic theory & rift basin development
The Cuu Long basin: petroleum system and fractured granite basement
Distribution of naturally fractured reservoirs (NFR) in the world
15 break

Part II:1h30h

What is petrophysics?
Petrophysical model and log response equation (LRE) of clastic and fractured
granite basement (FGB) reservoirs:: comparison & discussion
Well log analysis workflow: quick look & full interpretation
Some additional issues : geopressure, low resistivity, detection of fracture
orientation, application of soft computing (ANN) in log analysis
15 Q&A/Quiz

Fractured basement/crystalline rock

reservoirs

After IHS Energy (2002)

Giao et al. (2012)

Similarities and differences btw clastic

and fractured reservoirs?

Porous medium:
Predominant
primary porosity

Fractured medium:
Predominant secondary
porosity; primary porosity
negligible

(a) Clastic

(b) Fractured (www.geoscience.co.uk)

Petrophysical similarities: both consist of PORE, PORE FLUIDS and MATRIX (SOLID)
Differences: pore types (pore network)

Similarities and differences btw clastic

and fractured reservoirs?

Sandstone

Granite
(Q, F & Ho)

Pores
(blue)

Similarities and differences btw clastic

and fractured reservoirs?

Granite formation, weathering and

fracturing

(Taken from www.geology.com)

Granite formation, weathering and

fracturing

Granite formation, weathering and

fracturing

Granite formation, weathering and

fracturing

Granite formation, weathering and

fracturing

Granite formation, weathering and

fracturing

Granite

Granite formation, weathering and

fracturing

Granite formation, weathering and

fracturing

Granite formation, weathering and

fracturing

Granite formation, weathering and

fracturing

Mechanical weathering: Breaking of rocks into smaller

pieces. There are 4 types: Frost wedging, unloading,
thermal expansion, and biological activity.
Chemical Weathering: Breaks down rock components
and the internal structures of minerals. Most important
agent involved in chemical weathering is water. There
are 3 types: dissolution, oxidation and hydrolysis.

Granite formation, weathering and

fracturing

Granite formation, weathering and

fracturing

Granite formation, weathering and

fracturing
Zones of weathered granite and corresponding resistivities (Giao et al.,
2008)

Review on weathering of granites (Giao et al., 2008)

30o
C

22.5o
D

15o

B
A
B

At the base of a
steep slope,
corestones rolled
down from above
litter the surface
and, farther below
on the slope.

D
B
A
B
C
D

C
C
D

A : Residual debris
B : Completely weathered
C : Residual materials
D : Rock constitutes more
than 90%

Review on weathering of granites (Giao et al., 2008)

30o
C

22.5o
D

15o

B
A
B

The profile
developed on a
slope steeper than
15o suffers erosion
of the finer
constituents as they
are formed.

D
B
A
B
C
D

C
C
D

A : Residual debris
B : Completely weathered
C : Residual materials
D : Rock constitutes more
than 90%

Review on weathering of granites (Giao et al., 2008)

30o
C

22.5o
D

15o

B
A
B

For the very steep

slope (30o) the core
stone eroded as
well, the profile
consists of zone D
or nothing

D
B
A
B
C
D

C
C
D

A : Residual debris
B : Completely weathered
C : Residual materials
D : Rock constitutes more
than 90%

Plate tectonics theory & rift basin

development

Plate tectonics theory & rift basin

development

Plate tectonics theory & rift basin

development
Oceanic

Oceanic-oceanic

Continental

(a) Divergent boundary

Oceanic-Continental

(b) Convergent boundary

(c) Transform boundary

Three types of plate boundary (Teaching plate tectonic, www.geology.com)

Plate tectonics theory & rift basin

development

Formation of Fractured Granite Basement

(FGB)

Formation of Fractured Granite Basement

(FGB)

Formation of Fractured Granite Basement

(FGB)

Formation of Fractured Granite Basement

(FGB)

Formation of Fractured Granite Basement

(FGB)

Formation of Fractured Granite Basement

(FGB)

Formation of Fractured Granite Basement

(FGB)

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Formation of Fractured Granite Basement

(FGB)

Granite core from 3900-3905mMD:

Primary minerals: Quartz 20.6%, K-feldspar
29.2%, Plagioclase 37.6%, Biotite 8.8%,
Pyroxene Hornblende 1.0%.

Formation of Fractured Granite Basement

(FGB)

Granodiorite at 3325 mss:

Primary minerals: Quartz 30%, K-feldspar
5.0%, Plagioclase 34.6%, Pyroxene Hornblende
2.2%.

Formation of Fractured Granite Basement

(FGB)

Monzogranite at 3485 mss:

Primary minerals: Quartz 22.4%, K-feldspar
34.6%, Plagioclase 32.4%, Pyroxene
Hornblende 1.0%.

Cuu Long Basin as a Rift Basin

Cuu Long Basin as a Rift Basin

Earth is dynamic (so is the SE Asia)

Cuu Long Basin as a Rift Basin

900

950

1050

1000

1100

NAN CHANG

EAST
CHINA
SEA

CHINA
CHANG SHA

BHUTAN

1350

1300

1250

1200

1150

CHUNG CHINH

30

300

Sketch of Geodynamic and

Early Cenozoic basins of
Southeast Asia

KUIYANG
CHANG SHAI
PHU CHOU
KUEI YANG

TAIPEI

1
PZ

25

PZ 1

250

KUANG CHOU

LEGEND

I ra oa

MZ 2

Indiaustralia lithosphere plate

LAOS

di

20

AM
VIE T N

er

AN DA
MA N
SEA

G
Paracel islands

CAM BODIA

Sunda type active continental margin

150

MANILA

EAST SEA

PHILIPPINES

A
A

MINDRO

LA
ND
SA

PHU QUOC

PA
L

NG

TR
U

R
BA
CO N)
NI D IA
(IN

AW
AN

IS

CON SON

CA MAU

D
AN
ISL

COTABRAHU

50

BRUNEY

KUALA LUMPUR

Z
PZ 2 - M 1

Medan

SIMEULU

M ALAYSIA

100

NE GROS

BAN DA XERI
BAGAWAN

Manado

RA
AT

CALIMANTAN

Bandjarm asin

Palem bang

DJAKARTA

Fore-arc basin

Intra-arc basin

Back-arc basin (affected by

strike-slip fault)

Premontane basin

Pull-apart basin

50

BANDA SEA

TANIMBAR

Active subduction zone

FLORES

100

M
SU

BA

100

SAVU

Spreading axis in Early Cenozoic

KZ 1

B
0

105

Strike-slip fault

TIMOR SEA

1000

Cratonic basin

CERAM SEA

Makassar

950

SORONG

INDIAN OCEAN

150
900

Rift basin on Atlantic type passive

continental margin

INDONESIA

BANDUNG

HAL MAHERA

ZAVA SEA

-50

Cuu Long basin

2
I
ES
W D
LA AN
SU ISL

Balikpapan

MO
LU
CA

M
Bengkulu

Rift basin on passive continental margin

SULAWESI SEA

KZ1
I

Padang

50

TALAUD ISLAND

SU

PALAU ISLAND

DAVAO

SINGAPORE

1-Sprateley Islands micro-continental

block in Early Cenozoic
2-Sulawesi micro-continental block
in Early Cenozoic
Early Cenozoic East sea Oceanic crust

SULU SEA

DAMBOANGA

KZ 1

A
I

HO CHI MINH

Philippine type active continental margin

PHNOMPENH

100

Eurasia lithosphere plate

LUZON

riv

AN DA
M
(IND IA A N ISLA
ND
N)

PHILIPPINE SEA

ng

THAILAND

BANGKOK

Pacific lithosphere plate

20

BABU YA ISLAND

HUE

Ko

Moulmein

Me

Z
PZ 2 - M 1

RANG GOON

HAI NAM

VIENTIAN

150

Kaohsiung

HONGKONG
HA NOI

SE
A

MYANMA

Xa tu in

MANDALAY

Sutures and their age

150
1100

1150

120

1250

1300

135

SE Asian current tectonic setting and Cuu Long Basin (Pham et al., 2006)

Cuu Long Basin as a Rift Basin

Cuu Long Basin as a Rift Basin

Tectonic setting of
the SE Asia:
Phase 1
(subduction):
from Late Jurassic
to Early
Cretaceous
Phase 2
(transitional):
from late
Cretaceous to
Paleogene
Phase 3 (regional
extension): from
Eocene to Recent

The collision between Indian and Eurasian plates severely deformed much of Southeast Asia
and made it extruded to the SE direction during the Early Tertiary

Cuu Long Basin as a Rift Basin

Collision of India with Eurasia had

caused: (i) Elevation of Tibetan
Plateau and formation of
Himalayas mountain; (ii) Opening
of South China Sea;

Cuu Long Basin as a Rift Basin

Pre-Tertiary plutonism (Prerift):
Plutonism widespread
during the Mesozoic. NW-directed subduction of the ProtoPacific plate under the East Asian continent formed JurassicLate Cretaceous granite-granodiorite. The sub-latitude and
sub-longitude oriented fracture systems are formed
Rifting phase (Synrift) with Initiation of the Cuu Long
basin: The Cuu Long basin was formed as a result of the
extrusion and subsequent clockwise rotation of the Indochina
block during the convergence between the India and Eurasia
plates since Eocene. NE-SW orientation. The lateral extrusion
and rotation during Oliogcene developed secondary E-Wtrending normal faults.
The Post-rift phase: Late Oligocene to Early Miocene. The
stress field reversed from the NW-SE extension to NW-SE
compression, creating the excellent fractured basement
reservoir. Since Middle Miocene, the basin has undergone
passive subsidence without any tectonic disturbance, except
for the volcanic activities.
The present-day maximum NNW-SSE in-situ stress recorded
by many wells indicates that the compression continues to
date.

SW
Prerift

Drift
initiation

Rift
Early
Postrift

Postrift

Cuu Long Basin as a Rift Basin

Figure 11 Location of The Cuu Long

Basin (Dien et al., 2000)

Figure 12 Generalized stratigraphy of the Cuu Long Basin

(Modified from VAPG, 2005)

Cuu Long Basin as a Rift Basin

a. Late Triassic-Late Cretaceous: The intrusive movements created a highly intense conjugate
fracture and fault system, along which various high temperature minerals (metal sulfide,
laumontite, analcime, quartz, calcite) were precipitated.
b. Late Cretaceous-Eocene: Tectonic processes in this period start to lift up and deform the
basement rocks. Many faults, associated fractures, and breccias were formed, together with new
dykes along weakened zones. Weathering processes began and gradually eroded the overlying
metasedimentary suite.
c. Eocene-Early Oligocene: Rifting in the Eocene uplifted the basement blocks to the surface.
These basement blocks were strongly weathered and eroded, creating a weathered layer
capping the fractured basement. In the upper parts, weathering process enhanced considerably
reservoir quality by cracking rocks and dissolving unstable minerals. In the lower parts, fine
materials of weathering together with secondary minerals of hydrothermal process continued to
plug fractures and pores.
d. Late Oligocene: basement was uplifted again by compression by early Late Oligocene.
Basement rocks were strongly deformed as a large displacement (~2000m) reverse fault that was
created along with new associated faults, fractures and breccias. In the uplifted highs, rocks were
continuously weathered. Together these two processes made basement rocks into a potential
reservoir.
e. Miocene-present: The early migration of oil into the basement started in the Miocene,
preserving porosity that was created in previous periods.

Cuu Long Basin as a Rift Basin

Stratigraphy of of the Cuu Long basin (VPI, 2010)

Cuu Long Basin as a Rift Basin

Tra Tan Formation (E, D and C sequences) in Oligocene: Subsidence outpaces sediment supply,
long-lived lake sites develop where sub-basins were structurally closed and rainfall was sufficient. The predominant
lacustrine sediments consist of a clastic continental succession of interbedded sandstone and shales, organic rich
claystone and minor siltstone. The grains are poorly sorted, angular to sub-angular shaped indicating short transportation
distance from source area.

Bach Ho Formation (BI sequence) in Early Miocene: The late post-rift thermal subsidence phase is
characterized by low topographic relief as the last of the rift shoulders became buried. The sedimentary section was
dominated by low gradient fluvial or near shore marine/ lake processes depending on basin configuration and eustatic
sea level. This phase of sedimentation is by sequence BI fluvial and fluvial/deltaic fine grained sands and shales. The
top of BI sequence represents a major marine transgressive event that deposited a thick, generally shale prone section,
which acts as a major regional top seal.

Conson Formation (BII sequence) in Middle Miocene: The Con Son formation comprises thick
sandstone interbedded with thin reddish claystone with very gray claystone, very thin greenish gray (from 1800m) and
minor coal, limestone/dolomite stringers. The reddish claystone dominates the upper section and decreases with depth.
On the other hand, the proportion of greenish gray claystone increases with depth.

Dongnai Formation (BIII sequence) in Late Miocene: This formation comprises predominantly
sandstone with thin reddish claystone, very thin gray claystone, siltstone and dolomitic limestone, coal/lignite stringers.

Bien Dong Formation (A sequence) in Quarternary: Bien Dong formation comprises very thick
unconsolidated sand and sandstone interbedded with thin gray, very thin reddish clay/claystone and limestone, dolomitic
limestone, coal/lignite stringers.

Petroleum System of the Cuu Long Basin

Reservoir 01: E Sequence, Lower Tra Tan Formation (Early Oligocene): this reservoir is
widely distributed. The E sequence spreads through the grabens and onlaps the basement highs where it is normally
absent or very thin. It consists of a clastic continental succession of interbedded sandstones and claystones . It is sandier at
the base and becoming more clay-prone towards the upper part. It has variable reservoir quality, depending on its
distribution within the basin. Around structural highs it is considered to have good reservoir quality. Total porosity varies
from 3-22% with the highest frequency at 14-20%; permeability ranges from 1-900mD.

Seal 01 : D Sequence, Middle Tra Tan Formation (Middle Oligocene): The D sequence
(known as D shale) is widely distributed across the basin with thickness varying from 300m over the structural highs and up
to a thousand of meters in the central basin.

Reservoir 02: D & C Sequence, Middle & Upper Tra Tan Formation (Late Oligocene):
The Late Oligocene reservoirs can be divided into D and C based on their distribution and facies characteristics. These
sandstone reservoirs were deposited on lake shorelines, fluvial and alluvial environments. Thickness of the reservoir
sandstones vary from a few meters to 30 m. They can be of good quality with total porosity varying from 14-21% and
permeability ranges from 0.1 to 60md.

Seal 02 : BII Sequence, Upper Bach Ho Formation (Early Miocene): The Bach ho shale or
Rotalia shale is a regional marine transgressive shale found on top of the Early Miocene reservoirs. It is the youngest known
regional seal in the basin. The total thickness of this shale is about 200 to 700m, with maximum thickness up to 1,250m. It
is known as an effective seal for the whole Cuu long basin. In addition, local shale layers could act as intra-formational
seals. .

Reservoir 03: BI sequence, Lower Bach Ho Formation (Early Miocene): The last reservoir is
Bach Ho formation, it is widely distributed throughout the Cuu long basin and represents the final marine transgression.
The sequence was deposited in fluvial, coastal plain and shallow lacustrine/marine environment. Thickness of the
sandstones varies from a few meters to 20 meters. The reservoirs can have good quality with 16-25% of porosity and 15000md of permeability

Main production of HC in Vietnam comes from the

FGB reservoirs
Hydrocarbon production in
Vietnam
5%
Cuu Long basin
95%
Other basins

Development of a GIS-based Database of Naturally

Fractured Reservoirs (NFR) using ArcView
Collection of data on NFR
(based on Batchelor et al., 2005)

Summarize/update the
coordinates of HC fields with
NFR using Google map

Create a distribution map of

NFR using ARCVIEW
software

Results (maps, charts etc.)

Database of Naturally Fractured Reservoirs in the world

No
1
2
3
4

Field Name
El Agreb-El Gassi
Hassi Messaoud
Rhourde El Baguel
Puaca Gas Field

Country
Algeria
Algeria
Algeria
Angola

Carmopolis, Riachuelo

Brazil

6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35

Badejo & Linguado

Lago Mercedes
Renqiu
Yihezhuang
Yaerxia
Xinglongtai
Dong Sheng Pu
Jatibanico
Pina
Zdince-krystlinihum
Hurghada
Zeit Bay
Samgori
Ninotsminda
Shaim
Kola Peninsula
Oimasha
PY-1
Beruk Northern
Java-Jatibarang
Amal
Nafoora-Augila
Kora
Yugoslavia
Sirikit
Clair
Unnamed
Dineh-Bi-Keyah
Apco
Beaver

Brazil
Chile
Hebei, China
Bohai bay, China
China
China
China
Cuba
Cuba
Czech
Egypt
Egypt
Georgia
Georgia
Russia
Russia
Kazakstan
India
Indonesia
Indonesia
Libya
Libya
New Zealand
Hungary
Thailand
United Kingdom
North Sea
Arizona, US
Texas, US
Barton, Kansas, US

Dicovery Year
1956
1959

1975
1991
1970s
1972
1959
1976
1983

1987
1982
1981
1993
1979
1959
1995
1997
1976
1969
1966
1988
1969
1983
1997
2002
1960's
1929

Coordinate
(Lattitude,longtitude)
(31.688445, 5.800781)
(31.679279,6.07281)
(31.292634, 6.762085)
(-9.651185, 13.193893)

Rock age
Cambrian
Early Cambrian
Cambrian
Precambian

(-11.057125, -36.797333)

Precambian

(-14.834629,-39.030304)
(-33.906896,-70.620117)
(38.711812,116.099562)
(38.138877,118.089294)
(35.220100, 104.817638)
(41.133935,122.075272)
(38.548165, 118.476563)
(21.947743, -79.168081)
(23.276895,-81.092504)
(49.584229,15.939789)
(31.313637, 32.310938)
(27.994401, 33.925781)
(41.684451, 44.854774)
(60.337399,64.157324)
(67.333064, 37.000108)
(42.763146,52.064209)
(10.923068, 79.807155)
(-7.686495, 111.099243)
(-6.9617, 109.03656)
(29.152161,21.621094)
(28.613459, 22.258301)
(-36.867502, 174.604533)
(47.709762,19.511719)
(18.420987,98.677654)
(51.010083,-0.102997)
(34.595152,-112.499185)
(31.154205,-102.70586)
(38.522099,-98.667226)

Premian-Triassic
Ordovician
Ordovician
Paleozoic
Archeozoic
Precambian

Rock
Grano-diorite
Granite
Sandstone

Volcanics basalt
Grano-diorite
Carbonate
limestone
Metamorphic
Granitic breccia
Granite

Cretaceous
Granite
Precambian
Granite
Cretaceous
Granite
Precambian
Granite
Eocene
Andesite-basalt tuffs
Middle Eocene
Vocaniclastics
Paleozoic
Metamorphic & igneous
Paleozoic
Carboniferous Schist
Early Paleozoic
Weathered Granite
Precambian
Weathered Granite
Pre-Tertiary
weathered argillites
Pre-Tertiary
Andesite/basalt
Paleozoic
Sandstone
Precambian
granite
Mesozoic
Granite
Precambian
Schist & Granite
Pre-Tertiary
Metamorphic classtic
Devonian, Carboniferous
Tertiary
Lower Ordovician
Precambian

Bioclastic limestone
dolomite
Quarzite

Database of Naturally Fractured Reservoirs in the world

Coordinate
(Lattitude,longtitude)
(35.349436,-118.872499)
(32.3846,-102.711182)

Rock age
Tertiary
Lower Ordovician

Rock
Meramorphic
dolomite

(37.738956,-101.399345)

Precambian

Quarzite

(33.939088,-118.416481)

Pre-Tertiary

basalt conglomerate

Russell, kansas, US

(38.713135,-98.671215)

Precambian

Biotite granite

Russell, kansas, US
Ohio, US

(38.880811,-99.023123)

42

Gorham
Morrow

1909

(39.35275,-84.127121)

Precambian
Upper Cambrian

Granite
dolomite

43

Santa Maria

California,US

1934

(34.911696,-120.416594)

44

Wilmington

Los Angeles, US

1932

(33.783249,-118.262329)

Pre-Tertiary

Schist

45

Unnamed
Orth
Ringwald

Pennsylvania, US
Rice, US
Rice, US

2001
1933
1949

(41.203069, -77.197795)

Silurian
Precambian
Precambian

Quarzite
Quarzite
Quarzite

Unnamed
Kraft-Prusa
Eagle Springs
Thrall
La paz
Mara

Utah, US
Barton, US
Nevada, US
Williamson, US
Venezuela
Venezuela

2001
1937
1955
1915
1922
1950

(37.318296,-112.066331)

Tertiary
Precambian
Oligocene
Cretaceous
Cretaceous
Silurian-Devonian

Basalt
Quarzite
Granite
Granite
Granite
Granite

La vela offshore
White tiger
Dragon
Double Dragon
Break of the Day
Black Lion
Yellow Lion
Kharir

Venezuela
Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam
Yemen

1972
1986
1985
1990
1995
2000
2001
1980's

Tertiary
Jurassic - Cretaceous
Jurassic - Cretaceous
Jurassic - Cretaceous
Jurassic - Cretaceous
Jurassic - Cretaceous
Jurassic - Cretaceous
Mesozoic to Tertiary

Granite
Granite
Granite
Granite
Granite
Granite
Granite
Granite

No
36
37

Field Name
Edison
Embar

Country
California,US
Texas, US

38

Eveleigh

Barton, Kansas, US

39

El Segundo

Los Angeles, US

40

Hall-Gurney

41

46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61

Dicovery Year
1931
1942

1935

(45.823057,-94.262695)
(38.450631,-98.447285)
(38.653075,-98.580923)
(38.646908,-115.52536)
(30.596769,-97.296982)
(10.717285,-71.997528)
(9.483333,-64.316667)
(11.115917, -63.949356)
(9.897357,107.925789)
(9.897357,107.925789)
(9.897357,107.925789)
(9.897357,107.925789)
(9.897357,107.925789)
(9.897357,107.925789)
(15.135764,47.15332)

Sandstone

Database of Naturally Fractured Reservoirs in the world

Latitude

Longitude

Finding the coordinate of La Paz Oil Field of Venezuela by Google Map

Database of Naturally Fractured Reservoirs in the world

The countries labels in ACRVIEW window

Database of Naturally Fractured Reservoirs in the world

Legend:

- The field number

Distribution of naturally fractured reservoirs in the world (Data source: Batchelor and Ellis, 2005)

Database of Naturally Fractured Reservoirs in the world

Legend:

- The field number

Distribution of fractured granite basement reservoirs in the world (data source: Batchelor & Ellis, 2005)

Database of Naturally Fractured Reservoirs in the world

Field information viewing in ARCVIEW window.

Petrophysics of Fractured Granite Basement

Reservoir

End of Part I