A PETROGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF HARTSELLE SANDSTONE TO PRODUCE A HIGH-RESOLUTION RESERVOIR CHARACTERIZATION MODEL

The Mississippian Hartselle Sandstone in northwestern Alabama is generally light-colored fine-grained quartzose sandstone with minor shale formed in a shallow marine setting. It has been an economically important oil sand resource of approximately 7.5 billion barrels in the United Sates. The purpose of this study is to provide an up-to-date investigation on lithology and diagenetic history of the Mississippian Hartselle Sandstone. This study will establish a petrographic study to produce a high-resolution reservoir characterization model of the Hartselle Sandstone; and to understand the influence of diagenesis on porosity and permeability of the surface and subsurface siliciclastic rocks of the Hartselle Sandstone. The methods to achieved these goals include petrographic analysis, fluid-flow capacitance analysis, core description, and 3D models built from well logs data. The results acquired from combined data will establish a characterization model to provide a spatial analysis on lithology, lithofacies, and diagenesis. Furthermore, based on the examination of permeability and porosity characteristics, this study will help to determine if the depositional system of the Hartselle and the overlying Bangor formation is qualified to trap flowing conventional hydrocarbons that are economically significant.