Effects of Dolomitization on Porosity during Various Sedimentation-Diagenesis Processes in Carbonate Reservoirs

Abstract

Carbonate reservoirs, especially dolomite reservoirs, contain large reserves of oil and gas. The complex diagenesis is quite challenging to document the dolomite reservoirs formation and evolution mechanism. Porosity development and evolution in dolomite reservoirs primarily reflect the comprehensive effect of mineral dissolution/precipitation during dolomitization. In this study, multicomponent multiphase flow and solute transport simulation was employed to investigate dolomitization in the deep carbonate strata of the Tarim Basin, Northwest China, where active exploration is currently under way. One- and two-dimensional numerical models with various temperatures, fluid compositions and hydrodynamic characteristics were established to quantificationally study dolomitization and its effect on porosity. After determining the main control factors, detailed petrologic characteristics in the studied area were also analyzed to establish four corresponding diagenetic numerical models under different sedimentary environments. These models enabled a systematic analysis of mineral dissolution/precipitation and a quantitative recovery of porosity evolution during various sedimentation-diagenesis processes. The results allowed for a quantitative evaluation and prediction of reservoir porosity, which would provide a basis for further oil and gas exploration in deep carbonate reservoirs.