Evaluation of Some Petrophysical Parameters for the Lower Cretaceous Reservoir Rocks, Western Desert, Egypt

Water saturation in otherwise hydrocarbon-saturated sandstones is closely related to the sandstone's clay mineralogy. Laboratory analysis of 20 sandstone core samples containing kaolinite, illite and chlorite is used to provide the basis for deciding which petrophysical parameters are most suitable for evaluating clay mineral content and distribution. Among the measured petrophysical parameters, the Mounce potential gives the most realistic correlation with actual clay mineralogy.

The existence of both siderite and hematite as cementing materials within the Kharita sandstone pore spaces, reduces the cation-exchange capacity of clay minerals by a clogging action. Consequently, the Mounce potential has been diminished. Correlations of the measured petrophysical properties have been elucidated to throw some light on both the Alam El-Buieb and Kharita reservoir rocks.