Significance and Implications of Diagenetic Nodular Anhydrite on Sandstone Reservoirs Quality

Abstract Diagenetic nodular anhydrite observed in fluvio-aeolian-lacustrine and glacial sandstones has significant implications to reservoir quality. This type of nodular cement is spatially and volumetrically variable within these reservoirs. Its presence impacts subsurface formation evaluation and porosity calculations. Thus, the investigation of these nodules was carried out using: core image analysis; thin sections petrography; micro computed tomography (MicroCT) scans; bulk rock X-Ray Diffraction (XRD); sulfur & strontium isotope analyses. Where core was unavailable, geochemical data and resistivity-based image logs were used to expand the anhydrite characterization to derive field wide distributions. Bulk rock XRD and thin section-based petrographic studies indicate that the mineralogy of the study sandstones is dominated by quartz (>90%), with minor clay, and the presence of variable amounts of localized anhydrite as diagenetic nodular cements. The habitat of anhydrite nodules displays a substantial size variation, with nodules ranging from millimeters to several centimeters in scale. The larger nodules are easily identified visually in core samples and on borehole image logs. To investigate the origin of the anhydrite, sulfur and strontium isotope analysis were used to understand the relative timing of the nodule's development within the paragenetic sequence. Results from the sulfur and strontium isotopic analyses are consistent with the understanding that the anhydrite nodules are a late stage emplacement. A semi-quantitative "Anhydrite Abundance Index" (AAI) was calculated across key wells within the fields to establish the anhydrites regional distribution. The AAI uses the dry weight fraction of calcium and sulfur from geochemical logs to determine the volume of anhydrite. These volumes were further calibrated to volumes obtained through geochemical analysis of core samples, which is key to calculating the correct anhydrite volume required for formation evaluation. Regional distribution mapping created from this volume data suggests a widespread presence of the anhydrite nodular cementation. Understanding the relative abundance of anhydrite volumes is important when investigating the reservoir quality, especially if underestimating its presence may affect log-based porosity calculations and subsequently permeability calculations. The in-place quantification of the anhydrite nodular cement in 1D also enabled research to further the understanding of post-depositional, geochemical and geographic controls on the subsurface modelling and reservoir quality prediction.