SPE 59407

Geological Modelling of a Heterogeneous Volcanic Reservoir by the Petrological

Method
Tomohisa Kawamoto, Teikoku Oil Co. Ltd., and Kozo Sato, SPE, The University of Tokyo

Copyright 2000, Society of Petroleum Engineers Inc.

This paper was prepared for presentation at the 2000 SPE Asia Pacific Conference on
Integrated Modelling for Asset Management held in Yokohama, Japan, 2526 April 2000.
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Abstract
In dealing with heterogeneous thick formations, objectivity of
well-to-well correlation is often hard to maintain and this is
the case for a volcanic formation, the Minami-Nagaoka gas
field. To overcome this difficulty, the refractive index is
utilized to identify the different types of plagioclase, with
which the well-to-well correlation is established in an
objective manner and the formation is divided into six
volcanic bodies.
One of the identified bodies corresponds to the productive
zone encountered in the southern region of the field. This
volcanic body is glassy rhyolite and extensively distributed
throughout the field, even toward the northern region, where
the productivity is poor. To explain the regional difference in
productivity, various types of alterations are examined,
including devitrification, montmorillonitization, chloritization,
illitization, and albit ization.
Identifying the primary volcanic bodies and examining the
secondary alterations enables us to construct a geological
model of the subject volcanic formation. Integrated geological
interpretation yields a clear view of the formation and a
reasonable explanation to the productivity aspects.
Introduction
The Minami-Nagaoka gas field, 3 miles (north-south) by 1
mile (east-west), is located in the northern central region of
Japan (Fig. 1). There are 17 wells completed in the main
reservoir, occurring at a depth of 12,500 ft with the initial

pressure of 8,100 psi and the temperature of 350F. Deepseated volcanic rocks (rhyolite) of the Middle Miocene age
form this gas reservoir and are referred to as green tuff
because of the characteristic greenish color. As a consequence
of repeated volcanisms, rhyolite eruptions were deposited one
after another forming a thick formation (over 2,600 ft) with a
drastic change of lithofacies, divided into lava, breccia, and
hyaloclastite.1
Core analyses show that the permeability of breccia facies
ranges from 0.1 to 10 md, while most of the hyaloclastite
facies yields low values of less than 0.1 md. The average
porosity is around 15% in both facies. Lava facies is
characterized by the average porosity value less than that of
hyaloclastite but the permeability value between the other two
facies. Since the volcanic rocks are naturally fractured, in-situ
values are supposed to be lower than the core measurements.
As for the productivity, most of the productive wells are
located in the southern region of the field and the northern
region does not yield economic gas production. Indeed, the
breccia facies, which is most favorable as a reservoir rock, is
found more frequently in the south than in the north. This
biased distribution of productive zones, however, has not been
well understood or explained.
In addition to the lithofacies change, intense alteration
made the reservoir much more heterogeneous. Due to the
severe heterogeneity, the discontinuous layers,2,3 and the large
formation thickness, well-to-well correlation is hard to
establish by using conventional means, such as log responses.
To keep objectivity in zoning the formation, additional
petrological tools must be utilized.
This paper attempts to construct a geological model in an
objective manner. The objectives are (1) to gain a clearer
view of the formation and (2) to give a reasonable explanation
to the regional difference in productivity. The key strategy is
to focus on the primary volcanic body and the secondary
alteration.
Petrological Methods
Petrological tools employed in this study are the refractive
index of plagioclase and the microscopic texture of the subject

T. KAWAMOTO, K. SATO

volcanic rock. The primary volcanic body distribution is

inferred through the analyses of the refractive index of
plagioclase, which indicates the compositional character of
magma, with an aid of the microscopic texture. Various types
of alterations are inspected by examining the microscopic
texture of the rock.
Refractive Index of Plagioclase. Plagioclase is the only
mineral that survives the alteration and exists among most of
the volcanic rocks. In addition to that, the chemical
composition of plagioclase varies according to the magma
origin; thus, the refractive index could be a good indicator to
establish the well-to-well correlation and to identify the
individual volcanic bodies.
By virtue of the uniqueness, the chemical composition of
plagioclase can be determined by the minimum refractive
index (Fig. 2).4 Plagioclase is a solid solution of albite (Ab;
NaAlSi3 O8 ) and anorthite (An; CaAl2 Si2 O8 ) and, by the ratio
between the two, is further categorized into six classes, such as
albite (Ab 100An0 -Ab90An10 ), oligoclase (Ab 90An10 -Ab 70 An 30 ),
andesine (Ab 70 An30 -Ab50An50 ), labradorite (Ab 50 An50 Ab 30 An 70 ), bytownite (Ab 30An70 -Ab 10 An 90 ), and anorthite
(Ab 10 An90 -Ab0 An100).
In general, these different classes of plagioclase
correspond to lithology types of volcanic rocks. Albite to
andesine and K-feldspar exist in the felsic rocks, such as
dacite and rhyolite. Andesine and labradorite are present in the
intermediate rocks, such as andesite. Labradorite to anorthite
are found in the mafic rocks, such as basalt and dolerite
(Table 1).5 Since the refractive index of plagioclase indicates
the chemical characteristics of the individual magma, from
which the volcanic rocks originate, the difference in the
refractive index makes it possible to differentiate and correlate
the volcanic sequence.
Microscopic Texture. In the Minami-Nagaoka gas field,
some characteristic textures of volcanic rocks are observed. To
examine the characteristic textures, we perform the thin
section observations. In general, the following textures are
identified as occurrence of volcanic rocks:

felsitic texture: microcrystalline quartz dominant

microlitic texture: microlitic plagioclase dominant

perlitic texture: thin onion-like cracks unique to glassy

rock

spherulitic texture: spheroidal aggregates of micro

plagioclase

porphyritic texture: plagioclase phenocryst dominant

Some of them are associated with each other.
In addition, we carry out the X-ray diffraction analysis in
order to identify the alteration minerals such as clay and
carbonate, which are of use in considering the alteration
process.

SPE 59407

Volcanic Bodies
In order to identify the primary volcanic bodies, plagioclase
types are first inspected. The well-to-well correlation and the
zoning of the volcanic reservoir are then established to define
the body boundaries.
Plagioclase Types. The refractive index of plagioclase is
measured by the thermal immersion method.6 Specimens are
taken from cores and cuttings, and up to 30 plagioclase
measurements are performed per specimen to offset inherent
measurement errors. From the core samples, we select the
specimens which have the plagioclase phenocrysts, identified
by the thin section observation. For the cutting samples, it is
difficult to select the porphyritic texture part. Cares must be
taken to distinguish the secondary albite or contamination with
the cuttings data.
Taking all the data into consideration, it is found that the
histograms of measured data can be classified into seven
types: Type-A to Type-G as shown in Fig. 3.
Type-A: Sanidine (K-Feldspar). Type-A is found only
from the cuttings taken at a southern well. This type
corresponds to sanidine (KAlSi3 O8 ), according to its range of
the minimum refractive index (1.519-1.523). Sanidine is one
of the K-feldspars that exist among the felsic rocks.
Type-B: Albite. Type-B consists of mainly albite and
partly little oligoclase. This type is widely found in the
southern and northern regions of the Minami-Nagaoka gas
field. In particular, most of the samples taken from the
southern region fall in this type. This type indicates the rock of
felsic magma origin.
Secondary albite by albitization is commonly found in this
field, and the measurement of cuttings samples may be
somewhat biased by this effect. However, from the
measurement of selected core samples, we can determine
whether the albite is primary or secondary.
Type-C: Albite-Oligoclase. Type-C includes more
oligoclase than does Type-B and the frequency peak is within
the oligoclase range. This type indicates the rock of felsic
magma origin and tends to be associated with Type-B.
Type-D: Oligoclase. Type-D consists of oligoclase. This
type indicates the rock of felsic magma origin, but closer to
the intermediate than Types-A, B, and C.
Type-E: Oligoclase-Andesine. Type-E consists of
oligoclase and andesine. This type indicates the rock of felsic
or intermediate magma origin and tends to be associated with
Type-D.
Type-F: Labradorite. Type-F consists of labradorite. In
general, this type indicates the rock of intermediate or mafic
magma origin. Because this type is found concurrently with
Type-G (mentioned below) in the Minami-Nagaoka reservoir,
Type-F rather indicates the mafic magma.
Type-G: Labradorite-Anorthite. Type-G consists of
labradorite and anorthite, which indicates the rock of mafic
magma origin. This type has the broad range and low
frequency pattern in the histogram.

SPE 59407

GEOLOGICAL MODELLING OF A HETEROGENEOUS VOLCANIC RESERVOIR BY THE PETROLOGICAL METHOD

Well-to-well Correlation and Zoning. According to the

resultant plagioclase types, the well-to-well correlation is
established. Consequently, the following six zones are
identified. The correlated geologic profile is shown in Fig. 4.
Zone 1: Oligoclase Dominant Zone. The lowermost
volcanic formation penetrated in this field is the oligoclase
dominant Type-D and Type-C zone. The thickness and the
extent are unknown because only a few wells in the northern
region reached this zone. Zone 1 is of intermediate-felsic
magma origin. However, there are some intervals where
albitization occurred intensely, and a little gas is reserved.
Zone 2: Oligoclase with Labradorite and Anorthite Zone.
In Zone 2, oligoclase (Type-D) and labradorite and anorthite
(Type-F and Type-G) are included. This zone is of
intermediate-felsic magma origin, interbeded with the rock of
mafic magma origin. Zone 2 is found at only two wells.
Therefore, it is inferred that the mafic rocks erupted with its
extent being restricted. The thickness is around 160 to 260 ft.
Zone 3: Albite Dominant Zone (lower). Albite (Type-B) is
dominant in Zone 3, which is of felsic magma origin. In the
northern region, Zone 3 is found at all the wells and it is
relatively easy to define the upper limit of this zone. In the
southern region, on the contrary, it is difficult to define Zone 3
only by using the plagioclase type because the overlying zone
(Zone 6, as mentioned below) happens to be also albite
dominant.
From the microscopic investigation, the upper boundary of
Zone 3 can be correlated to the upper limit of spherulitic
rhyolite in the northern region. The same criterion is applied to
the southern region in order to define the upper limit of Zone
3. The most productive intervals are found within this zone.
Through the thin section observation, the characteristic
textures for a glassy structure, such as spherulitic and perlitic,
are recognized in the southern region. In contrast, such
textures are less visible in the northern region. Instead, this
zone consists mainly of glassy rhyolite and little of crystalline
rhyolite lava in the northern region. Zone 3 has a large extent
and decreases its thickness toward the north.
Zone 4: Oligoclase and Andesine Dominant Zone. In
Zone 4, oligoclase (Type-C and Type-D) and oligoclaseandesine (Type-E) are dominant. This zone is of intermediatefelsic magma origin and spreads only in the northern region,
overlying Zone 3. It is thicker in the northeastern region (880
to 1,100 ft) than the other region (230 to 280 ft). In the
northeastern region, there is a massive rhyolite lava showing
mainly the porphyritic texture.
Zone 5: Labradorite and Anorthite Dominant Zone. In
Zone 5, labradorite and anorthite (Type-F and Type-G) are
dominant. This zone is of mafic magma origin and spreads
only in the northern region, overlying Zone 3. The thickness is
in the range between 160 and 820 ft.
Zone 6: Albite Dominant Zone (upper). Zone 6 is the
uppermost formation of the subject volcanic reservoir. Albite
(Type-B) is dominant in this zone, which is of felsic magma
origin. This zone is found at only two wells and very thin in

the northern region. In the southern region, Zone 6 is much

thicker and is overlying Zone 3. There is a massive rhyolite
lava showing mainly the porphyritic texture, but there is no
glassy rock except pumice in this zone.
Findings. An interesting finding is that the most productive
intervals in the southern region are found within Zone 3,
which spreads not only in the southern region but also in the
northern region. Although Zone 3 becomes thinner toward the
north, the continuity of the volcanic rock appears to be
inconsistent with the poor productivity in the northern region.
The question at hand is why the productivity in the northern
region is lower than in the south.
Another finding is that the volcanic bodies overlying Zone
3 are different regionally: Zone 4 and/or Zone 5 in the
northern region and Zone 6 in the southern region. In addition,
for Zone 3, a large amount of spherulitic and perlitic textures
are detected only in the southern region. These differences
could be key factors to the question above, and prompt us to
investigate the secondary alteration.
Alteration
The Minami-Nagaoka gas reservoir exhibits various types of
pore structures: the primary pores of vesicular and quench
cracking types and the secondary pores of dissolution and
fracture types. From the thin section observation, the
dissolution pores of the perlitic glassy part are significantly
developed in the productive intervals and are found to be
crucial to the reservoir rock quality. In this section, we
consider alteration, which plays an important role to generate
such secondary pores.
Devitrification. Since glasses are thermodynamically
unstable, they can undergo post-eruption devitrification.
Through the laboratory experiments, Lofgren7 defined
different stages of devitrification: glassy, spherulitic, and
granophyric. The glassy stage is perlitic crack dominant and is
regarded as the most rapid cooling type. The spherulitic stage
is affected by the intermediate heat and is regarded as the
intermediate stage between glassy and granophyric stages. The
granophyric stage, although not clearly noted in the Lofgrens
paper, is the most heated stage where the recrystallized
aggregates of small plagioclase and quartz crystals are
characteristic.
In the Minami-Nagaoka gas field, perlitic and spherulitic
textures are clear in Zone 3 of the southern region, while such
textures are not clear in Zone 3 of the northern region. This
difference may be caused by the differentiation of this
devitrification stage.
In the southern region, Zone 3 is dominated by the perlitic
texture of the glassy stage. Above the perlitic texture dominant
part, there is a spherulitic texture dominant part of the
spherulitic stage. Above the spherulitic texture dominant part,
there is a massive crystalline rhyolite lava, which may be the
heat source of devitrification.

T. KAWAMOTO, K. SATO

In the northern region, there are few perlitic and

spherulites textures. They are unclear due to the intense
silicification, if they can be observed. It is inferred that in the
northern region there had been a glassy part in Zone 3 but the
overlying Zone 4 provided heat that is enough to recrystallize
the glass and form aggregates of small quartz and feldspar, or
felsitic and microlitic textures of the granophyric stage. The
affecting heat was larger in the northern region than in the
southern region, judging from the devitrification textures. This
difference may cause the differential distribution of the glasses
and various kinds of alterations following the devitrification.
Alteration after Devitrification. The glassy parts are affected
by the devitrification and then undergo the subsequent
alterations. Alteration minerals considered here are
montmorillonite, chlorite, illite, and albite.
Montmorillonitization. Montmorillonite (smectite), a clay
mineral, is formed when volcanic glasses are dissolved
according to the scheme:
Na 2 KCaAl5 Si11 O32 (volcanic glass) + MgSiO3 + H2 O +
4H+ + 4HCO3 -
Na(Al5 Mg)Si12 O30 (OH)6 (montmorillonite) + Na + + K+ +
Ca2+ + 4HCO3 -, .......................................................................(1)
where the compositions of the volcanic glass and
montmorillonite are somewhat simplified.
This clay mineral may be transformed into illite when it is
provided with potassium. When it is provided with iron and
magnesium, on the other hand, it may be transformed into
chlorite. From the X-ray diffraction analysis, illite and chlorite
are identified in the subject volcanic rocks, and are assumed to
be the results of such transformations. Thus, the
montmorillonitization is found to be the important process in
terms of the dissolution of the volcanic glass, in particular in
the glassy rock like Zone 3.
Chloritization. Chlorite is one of the common alteration
minerals found in the Minami-Nagaoka gas field. According
to the X-ray diffraction analysis, chlorite is dominant in almost
all the intervals of Zones 1, 2, and 5, and the lower part of
Zone 3. The productive intervals are often found just above
those chlorite dominant intervals in Zone 3.
Since Zones 1, 2, and 5 consist of mafic rocks, which
contain plenty of iron and magnesium, it is reasonable to
assume that chlorite forms in-situ. On the other hand, Zone 3
consists of felsic rocks, which hardly produce chlorite in-situ.
Moreover, the chlorite in Zone 3 forms as the filling of pore
spaces. Thus, the chlorite in the lower part of Zone 3 is
inferred to be the transformation of montmorillonite with iron
and magnesium from Zone 1 and/or Zone 2. The dissolution
pores in Zone 3 is filled with such chlorite. That may be the
cause of less productivity of the lower part of Zone 3.
Illitization. Illite is also a common clay mineral and
extensively found in the Minami-Nagaoka gas field. It is
inferred that illite is yielded by the transformation of
montmorillonite with potassium. The reservoir quality in the
illite rich part is bad.

SPE 59407

Albitization. Albitization is the process to yield secondary

albite and one of the common alterations in the MinamiNagaoka gas field. Secondary albite is tiny and needle-shaped,
while primary albite forms as euhedral phenocryst. Secondary
albite is yielded as a result of soda replacement:
CaAl2 Si2 O8 (anorthite) Na 2 CO3 4SiO2 (glass)
2NaAlSi3 O8 (albite) CaCO3 (calcite),.............................. (2)
or crystalization of glass by burial diagenesis, or hydrothermal
alteration.
Among these, the soda replacement is important in terms
of the dissolution of the volcanic glass in the mafic or
intermediate rock, which has Ca-rich plagioclase. Actually,
there are some needle-shaped albite dominant intervals with
calcite in Zone 1 of the northern region. In such intervals, the
soda replacement may take place and some pores are
generated, though the calcite often fills such pores.
Findings. Considering the devitrification in Zone 3 reveals
that the degree of this process varies, depending on the
overlying volcanic rocks, and results in different amounts of
glassy parts. Due to the heat provided by Zone 4, a large
amount of glassy rocks suffer the effects of devitrification in
the northern region. In contrast, by virtue of its large thickness
and relatively weak heat provided by Zone 6, the southern
region keeps plenty of glassy rocks unaffected.
After the devitrification, various kinds of alterations take
place. Among them, the montmorillonitization and the soda
replacement give positive effects to the volcanic reservoir
because volcanic glasses are dissolved during such processes
and pore spaces are developed. The montmorillonitization may
occur significantly in the glassy rocks and the soda
replacement may take place in the mafic rocks.
On the contrary, some other alterations give negative
effects to the volcanic reservoir. Chlorite and illite
transformed from montmorillonite fill the dissolution pore. It
is interesting to note that the chloritization in Zone 3 is
concentrated in the lower part due to the presence of iron and
magnesium transferred from Zone 1 and/or Zone2. Calcite
formed by the soda replacement also fills the dissolution pore
and limits the extension of the reservoir.
Modelling of the Volcanic Reservoir
Based on the primary volcanic bodies and the secondary
alteration established in the previous sections, we construct a
chronological model of the eruption and alterations for Zone 1
through Zone 6 in the Minami-Nagaoka gas field. The
schematic model is shown in Fig. 5.
(1) Andesitic rhyolite (Zone 1) erupted.
(2) Basalt erupted with rhyolite (Zone 2) in the northeastern
region.
(3) Glassy rhyolite (Zone 3) erupted and extended throughout
the field. Quenched glassy rhyolite had a perlitic texture.
Crystalline rhyolite (Zone 3) erupted in the northeastern
region.

SPE 59407

GEOLOGICAL MODELLING OF A HETEROGENEOUS VOLCANIC RESERVOIR BY THE PETROLOGICAL METHOD

(4) In the northern region, andesitic rhyolite (Zone 4) and

basalt (Zone 5) erupted. In the southern region,
chrystalline rhyolite (Zone 6) erupted. These eruptions
were restricted within local areas.
(5) Glassy rhyolite (Zone 3) was devitrified by the heat of the
overlying volcanic rocks, and fine quartz and plagioclase
or spherulite were yielded. Glassy parts far from the
overlying rocks were well preserved as glass with perlitic
cracks.
(6) By the montmorillonitization, the glassy parts were
selectively dissolved. The more the glassy parts were
preserved, the more the pore spaces were generated.
(7) From Zone 1 and/or Zone 2, iron and magnesium were
provided to montmorillonite and chlorite was precipitated
in Zone 3. The pores that had not been filled completely
by chlorite formed a gas-bearing reservoir.
(8) In Zone 1, the soda replacement took place locally.
Through this process, some dissolution pore spaces were
generated, but this type of pore was occasionally filled
with calcite.
Discussion
The geological model reveals that the productive intervals are
within a volcanic body, Zone 3. In this section, petrophysical
properties of Zone 3, such as permeability and porosity, are
examined in view of established geological interpretations.
Regional Trend of Productivity. As stated earlier,
productivities in the northern region are lower than in the
southern region. Fig. 6 shows the average permeabilities in
Zone 3 at individual wells, where permeability profiles are
estimated through production and logging data.3 The regional
contrast in permeability is clearly observed; increasing
towards the south (decreasing Y-coordinate). It is deduced that
the regional trend of productivity is attributed to the biased
permeability distribution.
In the developed geological model, Zone 3 is overlain by
different volcanic bodies: Zone 4 in the northern region and
Zone 6 in the southern region. Due to the heat provided by
Zone 4, Zone 3 of the northern region is affected by the
devitrification severely and most of the glassy parts undergo
the granophyric stage. As a result, the subsequent alterations
cannot develop sufficient secondary pore spaces. In contrast,
Zone 3 of the southern region keeps plenty of glassy rocks
unaffected, which form secondary pores by virtue of the
sbsequent alterations. The regional trend of permeability can
be well explained by the geological model.
Vertical Trend of Petrophysics. For Zone 3 in the southern
region, it is revealed that the degree of development of
secondary pores varies in the vertical direction. Due to the
heat provided by the overlying Zone 6, the upper part of Zone
3 suffers the hydrothermal alteration. In addition, due to the
chloritization, the dissolution pores of the lower part are filled
with chlorite. Consequently, only the middle part yields a

good quality of reservoir rocks. Such a vertical variation is not

found in the northern region because of the severe
devitrification and its relatively small thickness.
Fig. 7 shows typical profiles of petrophysical properties in
Zone 3 obtained at a northern (left) and a southern well (right).
No clear trend in the vertical direction is observed for the
northern well. In contrast, the southern well exhibits lower
porosity/permeability values in the upper and lower parts than
in the middle part. (The bottom of Zone 3 is not reached at the
southern well.) These profiles are consistent with the various
alteration processes adopted in the geological model.
Conclusions
1. The refractive index of plagioclase can be used to
establish the well-to-well correlation and to identify the
primary volcanic bodies.
2. The plagioclase found in the subject volcanic reservoir
can be classified into seven types , and according to the
resultant well-to-well correlation, the reservoir can be
divided into six zones (volcanic bodies).
3. The degree of devitrification in Zone 3, which
corresponds to the productive interval, is severer in the
northern region than in the southern region because the
overlying rocks are different. As a result, the southern
region keeps plenty of glassy rocks unaffected.
4. The montmorillonitization and the albitization following
the devitrification dissolve the glassy part of the rhyolite
but some of the pore spaces are refilled due to the
chloritization.
5. The regional trend of productivity and the vertical trend
of petrophysics within Zone 3 can be well explained by
the above conclusions 3 and 4.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank Reservoir Engineering Laboratory of
Technology Research Center, Japan National Oil Corporation
and Teikoku Oil Co. Ltd for permission to present this paper.
References
1. Komatsu, N., Fujita, T., and Sato, O.: Cenozoic Volcanic Rocks
as Potential Hydrocarbon Reservoirs, Preprint, 11th World
Petroleum Congress, Special Paper (1983) 12, 10.
2. Shimamoto, T., Inoue, N., and Sato, K.: Characterization of a
Volcanic Formation Through Comprehensive Well Test
Analyses, paper SPE 37413 presented at the 1997 SPE
Production Operations Symposium, Oklahoma City, Mar. 9-11.
3. Nomura, M. and Sato, K.: Continuity Assessment Through
Flow-test and Production Data in a Volcanic Formation, paper
SPE 56679 presented at the 1999 SPE Annual Technical
Conference and Exhibition, Houston, Oct. 3-6.
4. Tsuboi, S.: Optical determination of low- and high-temperature
plagioclase, (1968) I Proc. Japan Acad., 44, 151-154.
5. Miyashiro, A. and Kushiro, I.: Petrology II, Kyoritsu Publishing,
Tokyo (1975) 171.
6. Dunhara , T., Yamashita, T., Iwano, H., and Kasuya, M .: An
improved system for measuring refractive index using the thermal

T. KAWAMOTO, K. SATO

immersion method, Quaternary International (1992) 13/14, 8991.

7. Lofgren, G.: Experimentally produced devitrification textures in
natural rhyolite glass, Geological Society of America Bulletin
(1971) 82, 111-124.

SI Metric Conversion Factors

ft 3.048*
E01 = m
mile 1.609 344* E+00 = km
md 9.869 233 E04 = m2
psi 6.894 757 E+00 = kPa
* Conversion factor is exact.

SPE 59407

SPE 59407

GEOLOGICAL MODELLING OF A HETEROGENEOUS VOLCANIC RESERVOIR BY THE PETROLOGICAL METHOD

TABLE 1 CLASSIFICATION OF VOLCANIC ROCKS BY PLAGIOCLASE TYPES.

magma
origin
fine-grained
volcanic rock

intermediate

basalt

andesite

Ca-rich plagioclase

felsic
dacite

rhyolite

Na-rich plagioclase and K-feldspar

plagioclase rich
K-feldspar rich

intermediate plagioclase

feldspar

mafic

139

1.590
n1:minimum refractive index
n2:maximum refractive index
(001),(010):cleavage plane

1.580

NIIGATA

TOKYO

38

38

R fr ct ve In ex

1.570

1.580

n1(001)

1.575

a no rth it e
byto wn it e

n1(010)
1.565

1.560

n2(001)

la bradorite
1.554

n2(010)

1.550

a nde sine
1.544

1.540
oligo clase
1.532

1.530

NIIGATA CITY

1.520

albite

1.528

0
Ab

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100
An

An(%)

Fig. 2
Relationship between the
composition and the refractive index.

300
Miles

Japan
Sea

plagioclase

chemical

Agano River

K-Feldspar

Shinano River

Albite-Oligoclase
(w/peak at Albite)

Oligoclase

NAGAOKA CITY

C
38
20'
KASHIWAZAKI
CITY
: O il & G as F ields

Albite-Oligoclase
(w/peak at Oligocl ase)

38
20 '
Minami-Nagaoka gas field
0

Miles

139

20

Oligocl ase-Andesine

Labradorite

Fig. 1
Index Map of the Minami-Nagaoka gas field.

Labradorite-Anorthite

Fig. 3
Histogram patterns of plagioclase and K-feldspar.

Fr equenc y

T. KAWAMOTO, K. SATO

SPE 59407

below MSL(feet)
11000
S

N
12000

well
4
5

13000

Zone 5

4
4

Zone 4

14000

6
4

Zon e 3

3
2

15000

Zon e 1

Zo ne 6

6
6

Zon e 3
Zone 3

3
3

Zone 1
0

16000

0.5

Mile
17000

Fig. 4
Geological profile correlated by the plagioclase types.

Zone 2 Basalt
1x10

: crest wells

Zone 1 andesitic Rhyolite

1x10

: flank wells

eruption of Zone 1 and 2

cr ys ta lline
R hy olite
(N E re gio n)

1x10

Zone 3

-1

1x10- 2

glassy Rhyolite

-3

1x10
158000 157000

eruption of Zone 3

Ba s alt
Zo ne 5 dev itrificati on
sili cified part
6?

and es itic
Rh yo lite
Z one 4

156000 155000 154000 153000

Y-coordinate

152000 151000

Fig. 6
Regional trend of average permeability in Zone 3.

c ry s tall ine
R hy ol ite
Z one 6
devi trific ation
spheruli ti c part

13500

13500

Zone 3 top
Zone 3 top
14000

14000

14500

14500

15000

15000

eruption of Zone 4, 5, and 6

devitrification of Zone 3

top o f N an atani F m .

Zone 3 bottom

10 00 ft

1 m ile
V.E.=200%

loc al a lbitiz ed par t

a ppr oxi m ate p rod uc tive interv al

c hlor ite- ric h b elow the p rod uc tive inter va l

Fig. 5
Geological Model of the volcanic rocks.

15500
0.1 0.2 0.3
0.01 0.1 1
10 100 0
Porosity
Permeability (md)

15500
0.1 0.2 0.3
0.01 0.1 1
10 100
Porosity
Permeability (md)

Fig. 7
Petrophysical profiles in Zone 3: (left) a northern well and
(right) a southern well.