Journal of Petroleum Geology, Vol.8, No.2, pp. 149-161, 1985

©Copyright 2000 Scientific Press, Ltd.

THE DIAGENESIS OF RESERVOIR SANDS OF THE ZUBAIR FORMATION
(EARLY CRETACEOUS), NORTHERN KUWAIT -- ARABIAN GULF

F. I. Khalaf, I. M. Gharib and A. Mukhopadhyay*

* Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, PO Box 24885 Safat, Kuwait.

Abstract

A total of ten conventional core samples of the Lower Cretaceous Zubair Sandstone Formation, as encountered in the Raudhatain and Sabriyah oilfields of Kuwait have been studied by grainsize analysis and scanning electron microscope (SEM) examination. Diagenesis of the sandstone members, in the form of silica overgrowths in optical continuity with the detrital quartz grains and the formation of authigenic kaolinite, is indicated. Further studies will be required in order to establish a possible correlation among the reservoir properties, diagenetic changes and oil accumulation in the Zubair Formation examined in these two fields.