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Article Type

Research Paper

Corresponding Author

Abayomi Adesola OLAOJO

Highlights

  • The seismic processing revealed two structural closures in the Ekpat Field.
  • A fault seal assessment of these fault systems established the seal and leak capacity of the fault rock zone via SGR.
  • The presence of a structural spill point could limit the amount of recoverable hydrocarbon in the reservoirs.

Abstract

Hydrocarbon reservoirs in the Niger Delta Basin pose strong challenges in terms of fault sealing capability due to their structural and stratigraphic features. The seal capacity is dependent on the amount of shale/clay in the fault zone. The field under investigation is Ekpat, in the Niger Delta Basin. This research focused on the seal capacity of the fault system and the dynamics of the hydraulic flow properties to enhance the recovery of the hydrocarbon. The Ekpat well was subjected to petrophysical analysis, reservoir characterization, stratigraphic juxtaposition of the Shale Gouge Ratio (SGR), and the validity of volumetric STOIIP using the hydrocarbon column height evaluation. Hydrocarbon evaluation of the well was conducted via the petrel and traptester software; delineating nine hydrocarbon-bearing reservoirs (sand) intercalated with shale along the stratigraphic column. The fluid types identified in the trapping system are oil, and gas, and largely dependent on the growth fault, roll-over anticlines, and pinch-out. The computation of the sealing attributes and hydrocarbon column heights was instituted for the two adjoining structural closures. The sand-sand juxtaposition seal analyses were conducted, and the average SGR in fault-1 ranged from 39 to 67, whereas that in fault-2 varied from 13 to 19. This revealed that fault-1 has a high SGR, indicating good structural closure, whereas fault-2 is a leak fault zone. Hydrocarbon column heights established the capability of all the reservoirs to hold considerable amounts of hydrocarbon, but limited by the structural spill point. The techniques employed have identified the prospects of the petroleum system.

Keywords

petrophysics, fault seal, fault juxtaposition, hydrocarbon, Niger Delta

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