A Comparative Reservoir Study of Zubair and Nahr Umr Formations in Subba Oilfield, Southern Iraq

Abstract

The lower Cretaceous sandstones of Zubair and Nahr Umr formations are the main producing reservoirs in Subba oilfield in southern Iraq. Key differences in their petrophysical and depositional attributes exist affecting their reservoir characteristics. The evaluation of well logs and core porosity-permeability data show better reservoir properties in Nahr Formation. The Litho-saturation logs indicate greater thickness of oil-saturated reservoir units for Nahr Unr Formation associated with lower values of shale volume, and higher values of effective porosity. In addition, higher values of permeability for Nahr Umr Formation is suggested by applying porosity-irreducible water saturation cross plot. The reducing reservoir quality of Zubair Formation sandstones is related to finer grains of sandstone reservoirs, higher clay volume, and more effect of compaction resulting from greater depth. A reservoir layering scheme is proposed by sequence stratigraphic analysis leading to the identification of systems tracts and their key surfaces within Zubair and Nahr Umr formations, and forms the basis for predicting of reservoir architecture and quality. Laterally continuous, and thick amalgamated sandstone reservoirs are formed during highstand systems tract in Nahr Umr Formation as a result of low accommodation/sediment supply conditions. Within the transgressive systems tract of Zubair Formation, the sandstone reservoir bodies become isolated as accommodation exceeds sediment supply.