Petrologic evidence for the diagenesis of the Donovan Sand, Citronelle Field, Alabama, and implications for CO2 storage and enhanced oil recovery

Abstract

Geological sequestration of for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) has been in use for decades, but it now represents a potentially economical method of mitigating anthropogenic output. However, current understanding of the interaction between injected and the reservoir rock is limited and prevents accurate estimation of reservoir capacity. Delineating the diagenesis of the reservoir is useful in predicting post- injection changes in reservoir porosity and permeability. The Albian Donovan Sand member of the Rodessa Formation, Citronelle Field, Alabama, is the subject of an ongoing Department of Energy -EOR suitability study. The arkosic Donovan Sand is highly heterogeneous, containing conglomeratic intervals, low to extensive poikilotopic calcite cement, loose to tight grain packing, and low , water injection and oil and gas production rates dropped below modeled values. We propose that the injection dissolved calcite cement proximal to the injection well and reprecipitated it nearby with the effect of reducing porosity and/or permeability.