Reservoir heterogeneity and fracture parameter determination using electrical image logs and petrophysical data (a case study, carbonate Asmari Formation, Zagros Basin, SW Iran)

Assessment of reservoir and fracture parameters is necessary to optimize oil production, especially in heterogeneous reservoirs. Core and image logs are regarded as two of the best methods for this aim. However, due to core limitations, using image log is considered as the best method. This study aims to use electrical image logs in the carbonate Asmari Formation reservoir in Zagros Basin, SW Iran, in order to evaluate natural fractures, porosity system, permeability profile and heterogeneity index and accordingly compare the results with core and well data. The results indicated that the electrical image logs are reliable for evaluating fracture and reservoir parameters, when there is no core available for a well. Based on the results from formation micro-imager (FMI) and electrical micro-imager (EMI), Asmari was recognized as a completely fractured reservoir in studied field and the reservoir parameters are mainly controlled by fractures. Furthermore, core and image logs indicated that the secondary porosity varies from 0% to 10%. The permeability indicator indicates that zones 3 and 5 have higher permeability index. Image log permeability index shows a very reasonable permeability profile after scaling against core and modular dynamics tester mobility, mud loss and production index which vary between 1 and 1000 md. In addition, no relationship was observed between core porosity and permeability, while the permeability relied heavily on fracture aperture. Therefore, fracture aperture was considered as the most important parameter for the determination of permeability. Sudden changes were also observed at zones 1-1 and 5 in the permeability trend, due to the high fracture aperture. It can be concluded that the electrical image logs (FMI and EMI) are usable for evaluating both reservoir and fracture parameters in wells with no core data in the Zagros Basin, SW Iran.