Diagenesis Processes Impact on Reservoir Quality in Carbonate Yamama Formation /Faihaa Oil Field

Abstract

The Yamama Formation is a significant reservoir in the southern part of Iraq. This formation consists of limestone deposited throughout the Lower Cretaceous period within main retrogressive depositional series. This study aims to identify the impact of the diagenesis processes on the reservoir’s characteristics (porosity and permeability). Diagenesis processes’ analysis and the identification of Yamama Formation depended on the examination of more than 250 thin sections of the core samples from two wells that were used to determine different diagenetic environments and processes. The three identified diagenetic environments that affected Yamama reservoir were the marine, meteoric and burial environments. Eight diagenetic processes were recognized in Yamama Formation and showed positive and destructive effects on the reservoir quality; Dissolution and fracture had highly positive effects through creating and improving porosity and permeability that led to improving reservoir quality. Cementation and compaction had destructive effects, through reducing porosity and permeability, that led to reducing reservoir quality. Other processes such micritization, dolomitization, bioturbation and neomorphism did not have strong effects on reservoir quality. Based on genetic classification of porosity, most of porosity within Yamama Formation in this field was formed by diagenesis processes, implying that Yamama reservoir is a type of diagenetic reservoir.