A Novel Rock Typing Technique: A Case Study of an Algerian Oil Field

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2026

Abstract

A detailed reservoir characterization of an Algerian oil field is showcased by vigorous analyses of rock samples using several different rock typing approaches. This aim is to enrich our understanding of how the reservoir’s heterogeneity affects its performance and to identify the definite hydraulic flow areas that highly influence fluids moving within it. Conventional methods, FZI, Winland R35, and Aguilera’s new amendment were evaluated in conjunction with new techniques, surface pore volume (SP), and surface pore volume per unit grain volume (SG). The different new approaches amalgamate the normalized porosity and the specific area of the samples to provide a cost-effective and precise analogy for classifying rocks, mainly in highly heterogeneous formations. In optimizing the delineation of flow units, Discrete Rock Typing (DRT), trial-and-error methods, and MATLAB-based solutions were employed. With an R² of up to 0.909, the new SG technique stood out, as did the SP method with 0.878, surpassing the results of multiple earlier approaches. The results demonstrate that the shape of pores strongly affects petrophysical properties, which suggests the models developed here would enhance both reservoir simulation and planning for field development. Using this framework, advanced rock typing can be successfully performed in heterogeneous and scarcely sampled reservoirs.

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