Semi-Quantitative SEM Analysis of the Vaca Muerta Formation and Its Impact on Reservoir Characterization, Neuquen Basin, Argentina

GONZALEZ TOMASSINI, F.; SMITH, T.; RODRIGUEZ, M.G.; KIETZMANN, D.A.; JAUSORO, I.; FLORIDIA, M.A.; CIPOLLONE, M.; CANEIRO, A.; EPELE, B.; SANTILLAN, N.; SAGASTI, G.

Congreso; Unconventional Resources Technology Conference (URTeC); 2019

The objective of this work is the presentation of a methodology for using SEM and petrographic analysis to increase the understanding of the pore systems, mineralogy, diagenetic features, grain types and facies variations in the organic-rich mudstones of the Vaca Muerta Formation, Neuquén Basin, Argentina. Long continuous cores from three wells were described in detail by standard microfacies analysis (thin sections) and SEM for semi-quantitatively visual estimates of total porosity, relative abundance of pore types and pore sizes, mineralogy, grain types, relative abundance of kerogen and migrated bitumen, type and origin of different clays, and diagenetic quartz abundance among other features. The visual porosity, organic matter content and mineral distribution correlates favorably with independent measurements obtained by TRA, GFP, XRD, XRF and measured porosity. The findings were linked to the core descriptions and the regional sequence stratigraphic framework to predict best reservoir facies, both from a petrophysical and geomechanical point of view. Finally, the understanding of the pore system was used to define the best areas where horizontal wells can be geosteer during the development stage of a block