Qualitative–Quantitative Analyses of the Influence of Depth and Lithological Composition on Lower Pontian Sandstone Porosity in the Central Part of Bjelovar Sag (Croatia)

Abstract

Results of several tests (porosity–depth graphic relation, t-test, F-test, Pearson’s R), were used to analyse and interpret the regularity in porosity values of Lower Pontian oil-bearing sandstones from the central part of Bjelovar sag. Data came from 7 cored intervals within 5 wells in the Pepelana member and from 6 cored intervals (in 4 wells) in the Poljana member. The expected porosity decrease with increasing depth was checked against lithological variations.
Sandstones are mostly fine-grained lithoarenites. The detritus is composed of quartz, various micas, carbonate fragments and feldspars. Across the study area, the depth range of the sandstones varies from 430 m (top of the Pepelana member near Šandrovac) to 2046 m (base of the Poljana member near Velika Ciglena). Cores included in the analyses vary between 2.75 to 15.5 m in length.
Mean porosity and relative depth data were collected for two groups: Group 1 comprised wells Pav–1, Pav–2, Rov–1, Ša–5, Ša–35, and Group 2 included well VC–1. These groups were subdivided for analysis into two (litho)stratigraphic units (Pepelana and Poljana ss.). Porosity variation within each group is explained with reference to the silt or clay fraction. Differences between the porosities of the two groups (~10% lower absolute porosity near Velika Ciglena) is the result of compaction and other processes.
Interval of 400 m thickness in particular sandstone member is set as minimum value for observing influence of compaction. Such statement is based on sandstone’s tops and bottoms comparison as well as graphical presentation of relation core porosity–relative depth interval. The analysis was improved by statistical calculation of Pearson’s R, t-test and F-test, which more precisely described the relationship between porosity and depth. Using these statistical tests and regression equitation, the depth difference is calculated as 621 m in the Pepelana and 667 m in the Poljana sandstones, as the limits when the influence of compaction in the porosity–depth relationship could be noticed.
Compaction was observed, in the study area, when data from Velika Ciglena are compared to data from the other wells.