Rock physics diagnostic of Eocene Sokor-1 reservoir in Termit subbasin, Niger

Abstract Eocene Sokor-1 reservoir is intrinsically heterogeneous and characterized by low-contrast low-resistivity log responses in parts of the Termit subbasin. Discriminating lithology and fluid properties using petrophysics alone is complicated and undermines reservoir characterization. Petrophysics and rock physics were integrated through rock physics diagnostics (RPDs) modeling for detailed description of the reservoir microstructure and quality in the subbasin. Petrophysical evaluation shows that Sokor-1 sand_5 interval has good petrophysical properties across wells and prolific in hydrocarbons. RPD analysis revealed that this sand interval could be best described by the constant cement sand model in wells_2, _3, _5 and _9 and friable sand model in well_4. The matrix structure varied mostly from clean and well-sorted unconsolidated sands as well as consolidated and cemented sandstones to deteriorating and poorly sorted shaly sands and shales/mudstones. The rock physics template built based on the constant cement sand model for representative well_2 diagnosed hydrocarbon bearing sands with low Vp/Vs and medium-to-high impedance signatures. Brine shaly sands and shales/mudstones were diagnosed with moderate Vp/Vs and medium-to-high impedance and high Vp/Vs and medium impedance, respectively. These results reveal that hydrocarbon sands and brine shaly sands cannot be distinctively discriminated by the impedance property, since they exhibit similar impedance characteristics. However, hydrocarbon sands, brine shaly sands and shales/mudstones were completely discriminated by characteristic Vp/Vs property. These results demonstrate the robust application of rock physics diagnostic modeling in quantitative reservoir characterization and may be quite useful in undrilled locations in the subbasin and fields with similar geologic settings.