A novel evaluation scheme of resistivity anisotropy in near-tight sandstones using conventional geophysical logs: A case study of the Triassic Chang 8 oil layer, Zhenjing area, Ordos Basin

The resistivity anisotropy characteristic of near-tight sandstone reservoirs is important for reservoir evaluation, but it is a challenge to obtain it by using conventional logging curves in vertical boreholes. Thus, a novel evaluation scheme is established. Firstly, in the Chang 8 Formation of Zhenjing area, Ordos Basin, China, horizontal rock samples (parallel to bedding) and vertical rock samples (perpendicular to bedding) are collected for designed rock electricity experiments and analyzed to obtain the corresponding horizontal and vertical Archie's parameters. Secondly, based on the detection characteristics of acoustic logging instrument and the transformation form of the Archie's equation, an estimation method of vertical resistivity is established. Combined with the horizontal resistivity obtained from conventional deep resistivity logs in vertical boreholes, an estimation method of resistivity anisotropy coefficient is proposed. Thirdly, the relationships between resistivity anisotropy coefficients and water saturations and porosities are analyzed using experiment results, and four adjacent vertical wells in the study area are processed using the estimated method. The processed results demonstrate the feasible of the estimation method. In addition, the cross well profile of resistivity anisotropy coefficient in the target formation is characterized, which shows the target formation is slightly resistivity anisotropic and slightly heterogeneous. The relationships between the resistivity anisotropy coefficient and commonly used logs are discussed, which contribute to rapid analyze the resistivity anisotropy of the target formation. Based on the above methods and processes, the novel evaluation scheme of resistivity anisotropy is established, which contributes to quantify and qualitatively analyze the resistivity anisotropy characteristics of formations in and between vertical boreholes. The application results show that it provides an alternative scheme for continuously evaluating the resistivity anisotropy in boreholes and cross well profiles by using conventional logs and experiments.