Introducing new method to improve log derived saturation estimation in tight shaly sandstones—A case study from Mesaverde tight gas reservoir

Relative permeability studies performed on tight gas sand core show that water saturation has much influence upon effective gas permeability. This makes water saturation in tight gas sand a critical reservoir parameter. The aim of this study is to introduce a new approach to reduce uncertainty in water saturation estimation using well logs models in tight gas shaly sandstones.This paper consists of two parts. The first part gives introduction on the Indonesian model as the most reliable model for prediction of water saturation in this reservoir type because it has the least uncertainty if the least-square error method (LSE) among six frequently used conventional water saturation models is deployed (i.e., total shale, modified total shale, Indonesian, dispersed clay, simandoux and modified simandoux). The authors innovate a new method in the second section to present an equation that could improve the Indonesian model.This equation is presented through resistivity, gamma ray, neutron and density logs, which are the common available logs in most of the wells and formations under study. In this study, fourteen wells (in 39 different zones) from five basins of Mesaverde tight gas sandstones across western US basins were chosen in order to demonstrate the reliability of this method. The equation that is introduced in this study has shown good performance in improving the estimation of water saturation in 85 percent of the total zones (i.e., 33 zones out of 39).

► Introducing the most reliable model for prediction of saturation in tight shaly sands.
► To represent an equation that could improve the best model in tight shaly sands.
► 2750 data points from Mesaverde were used for validation of the proposed model.
► Prediction of water saturation can be improved in 85% zones by the proposed model.