Integrated reservoir characterization and fluid flow distribution of the Kaimiro Formation, Taranaki Basin, New Zealand

An integrated reservoir characterization study is achieved on the Early to Middle Miocene Kaimiro Formation in the Taranaki Basin, New Zealand, to identify the quality of the formation as a potential reservoir. The Kaimiro Formation is a section of the Kapuni Group in the Taranaki Basin, consisting mainly of sandstone and a range of coastal plain through shallow marine facies. Several methods were accomplished for this study: petrophysical evaluation, sedimentological and petrographical descriptions and well log analysis. Based on the petrophysical study, the Kaimiro Formation is interpreted to have several flow units ranges up to 15 μm. Higher RQI and FZI reflect potential reservoir, while the pore size and pore throat diameters (r35) are found to be within the range of macro- and megapores, on the contrary to macropores related to poor reservoir quality concentrated in Tui-1 well. This is in good agreement with other measurements that show the formation is exhibited to be a good promising reservoir as the formation comprises a good average porosity of 19.6% and a good average permeability of 879.45 mD. The sedimentological and petrographical studies display that several diagenetic features have been affecting the formation such as compaction, cementation, dissolution and the presence of authigenic clay minerals. Although these features commonly occur, the impact on the reservoir properties and quality is minor as primary and secondary pores are still observed within the Kaimiro sandstone. Moreover, well log analysis is also completed to further ensure the hydrocarbon potential of the formation through a qualitative and quantitative analysis. It has been confirmed that the Kaimiro Formation is a promising reservoir containing several flow units with higher possibility for storage capacity.