Abstract

The effect of the vertical to horizontal permeability ratio (k_v /k_h) on many displacement properties is significant, making it an important parameter to estimate for reservoir models. Simple ‘streamline’ models have been developed which relate k_v /k_h at the reservoir scale to shale geometry, fraction and vertical frequency. A limitation of these models, especially for tidally-influenced reservoirs, is the lack of quantitisative geological inputs.

To address this lack of data, detailed shale characteristics were measured, using Lidar point clouds, from four different tidally-influenced reservoir analogues: estuarine point bar (McMurray Formation, Alberta, Canada), tidal sand ridge (Tocito Sandstone, New Mexico), as well as both unconfined and confined tidal bars (Sego Sandstone, Utah). Estuarine point bars have long (x̄  = 67.8 m) shales that are thick and frequent relative to the other units. Tidal sand ridges have short shales (x̄  = 8.6 m dip orientation) that are thin and frequent. Confined tidal bars contain shales that are thin, infrequent and anisotropic (x–  = 16.3 m dip orientation). Unconfined tidal bars contain nearly equidimensional shales of intermediate length (x̄ = 18.6 m dip orientation) with moderate thicknesses and vertical frequency.

The unique shale character of each unit results in a different distribution of estimated k_v/k_h values. Estuarine point bars have lower average k_v/k_h values (x̄  = 8.2 ×10⁻⁴) than any other setting because of the long shales they contain. Tidal sand ridges have short, but frequent shales, which results in moderate k_v/k_h estimates (x̄  = .011). Estimates of k_v/k_h are typically highest in confined tidal bars (x̄  = .038), which contain anisotropic and infrequent shales. Unconfined tidal bars have moderate lengths and frequency resulting in k_v/k_h estimates averaging 0.004. The results of this study highlight the link between heterogeneity, reservoir architecture and flow parameters.