Geologic Characteristics and Production Response of the N5.2 Reservoir, Shallow Offshore Niger Delta, Nigeria

Abstract

Sedimentary facies and structural lineaments represent significant control factors on hydrocarbon flow behavior. These geological elements have been evaluated to understand possible cause(s) of rapid decline in pro¬duction. The N5.2 reservoir, located in shallow marine sandstones, offshore Niger Delta, has experienced decline in oil rate with a corresponding increase in water-cut within two years of beginning of production. The main objective of this study is the determination of reservoir architecture in order to individuate the possible cause(s) of rapid production decline. To this aim, several methods have been used, including the seismic attribute analysis, electrofacies analysis, well log and petrophysical correlations. The obtained results show that the N5.2 reservoir is a massive sandy unit, occur-ring within the paralic Agbada Formation of about 2133 m thick. A contour depth map of the reservoir shows the occurrence of a structural saddle associated with an elongated closure having two structural culminations. Further analysis using the root mean square (RMS) and anti-tracking seismic attributes has indicated a seismic facies parallel to the paleo-coastline direction and several faults and fractures. The high quality of the reservoir, fractures, poor management and water injection may have induced rapid fluid flow and consequently early watercut and decline in production.