GLOBAL JOURNAL OF EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Integrity Research Journals
ISSN: 2636-6002
Model: Open Access/Peer Reviewed
DOI: 10.31248/GJEES
Start Year: 2016
Email: gjees@integrityresjournals.org
Depth-dependent variation in porosity and permeability: An integrated multi-well wireline log analysis of the Gabo Field
https://doi.org/10.31248/GJEES2026.232 | Article Number: 3AB97CA13 | Vol.11 (2) - April 2026
Received Date: 04 February 2026 | Accepted Date: 27 February 2026 | Published Date: 30 April 2026
Authors: Daniel Yankari* , Terhemba Shadrach Bem , Nuraddeen Usman , Ibrahim Ismail Idowu and Mohammed Musa Musa
Keywords: porosity, Niger Delta, Depth-dependent trends, Gabo Field, permeability, reservoir quality, wireline logs.
This study presents an integrated Depth-Dependent Permeability and Porosity trend characterisation of the Gabo Oil Field, located in the onshore Niger Delta, using wireline logs from five wells (GABO-18, GABO-14, GABO-15, GABO-17, and GABO-19). The primary objective was to evaluate depth-dependent trends in two key reservoir properties, porosity (Φ) and permeability (K), in the Gabo oil Field within a laterally continuous reservoir unit identified between 2358 m and 2568 m. Results indicate a general improvement in reservoir quality with depth, characterised by increasing porosity and permeability. The fractional porosity ranges from 0.03% t0 0.32% across the five wells, reflecting variable but moderate to good reservoir quality. Permeability ranges from 0.01 to 2259.69 mD, reflecting possible heterogeneity in the pore structure and connectivity within the identified interval. These trends are attributed to depositional facies changes, diagenetic enhancement, and possibly overpressure preservation. The study highlights GABO-17 and GABO-18 as the most promising wells for hydrocarbon production due to their superior petrophysical properties. The findings contribute to a refined understanding of reservoir heterogeneity and sweet-spot identification in deltaic systems.
| Abdulmajeed, O., Lucky Raymond, A., Doutimi, O., & Ohwerhi, P. E. (2025). Geophysical Investigation of Aquifer Protective Capacity in Yenagoa and its Surroundings using Dar-Zarrouk Parameters. SSRN 5845282. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5845282 |
||||
| Abraham, R. M., Taioli, F., & Nzekwu, A. I. (2022). Physical properties of sandstone reservoirs: Implication for fluid mobility. Energy Geoscience, 3(4), 349-359. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engeos.2022.06.001 |
||||
| Aigbedion, I., & Iyayi, S. E. (2007). Formation evaluation of Oshioka field using geophysical well logs. Middle-East Journal of Scientific Research, 2(4), 107-110. | ||||
| Akpan, M. O., Udoh, M. U., Avwunudiogba, A., & Iyang, D. O. (2016). Depositional environment and petrophysical characteristics of" XY" reservoir sands, Niger Delta, Nigeria. International Journal of Research for Science and Computational Engineering, 2, 108-115. | ||||
| Allen, P. A., & Allen, J. R. (2013). Basin analysis: Principles and application to petroleum play assessment. John Wiley & Sons. | ||||
| Amaefule, J. O., Altunbay, M., Tiab, D., Kersey, D. G., & Keelan, D. K. (1993, October). Enhanced reservoir description: using core and log data to identify hydraulic (flow) units and predict permeability in uncored intervals/wells. In SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition? (pp. SPE-26436). SPE. https://doi.org/10.2118/26436-MS |
||||
| Arochukwu, E. C., Ugwueze, C. U., & Udom, G. J. (2023). Depositional facies analysis of coastal to shallow marine deposits in the onshore Niger Delta Basin: Accessing the influence of sedimentology and depositional environments on reservoir quality. Scientia Africana, 22(1), 335-354. https://doi.org/10.4314/sa.v22i1.28 |
||||
| Asquith, G., & Krygowski, D. (2004). Basic well log analysis (2nd edition). American Association of Petroleum Geologists Methods in Exploration Series, No. 16. AAPG. https://doi.org/10.1306/Mth16823 |
||||
| Beard, D. C., & Weyl, P. K. (1973). Influence of texture on porosity and permeability of unconsolidated sand. AAPG Bulletin, 57(2), 349-369. https://doi.org/10.1306/819A4272-16C5-11D7-8645000102C1865D |
||||
| Beardsmore, G. R., & Cull, J. P. (2001). Crustal heat flow: a guide to measurement and modelling. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511606021 |
||||
| Bjørlykke, K. (2014). Relationships between depositional environments, burial history and rock properties. Some principal aspects of diagenetic process in sedimentary basins. Sedimentary Geology, 301, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sedgeo.2013.12.002 |
||||
| Bjørlykke, K., & Jahren, J. (2012). Open or closed geochemical systems during diagenesis in sedimentary basins: Constraints on mass transfer during diagenesis and the prediction of porosity in sandstone and carbonate reservoirs. AAPG Bulletin, 96(12), 2193-2214. https://doi.org/10.1306/04301211139 |
||||
| Bloch, S., Lander, R. H., & Bonnell, L. (2002). Anomalously high porosity and permeability in deeply buried sandstone reservoirs: Origin and predictability. AAPG bulletin, 86(2), 301-328. https://doi.org/10.1306/61EEDABC-173E-11D7-8645000102C1865D |
||||
| Coates, G. R., & Dumanoir, J. L. (1973, May). A new approach to improved log-derived permeability. In SPWLA Annual Logging Symposium (pp. SPWLA-1973). SPWLA. | ||||
| Corbett, P. W. M., & Potter, D. K. (2004, October). Petrotyping: A basemap and atlas for navigating through permeability and porosity data for reservoir comparison and permeability prediction. In International symposium of the society of core analysts (Vol. 5, No. 9, pp. 1-12). | ||||
| Corredor, F., Shaw, J. H., & Bilotti, F. (2005). Structural styles in the deep-water fold and thrust belts of the Niger Delta. AAPG Bulletin, 89(6), 753-780. https://doi.org/10.1306/02170504074 |
||||
| Crain, E. R. (2002). Crain's petrophysical handbook. Spectrum 2000 Mindware Limited. | ||||
| Dresser Atlas (1979). Log Interpretation Charts. Dresser Industries, Houston, TX. 107p. | ||||
| Edwards, J. D., & Santogrossi, P. A. (eds.). (1990). Divergent/passive margin basins (No. 48). Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA: American Association of Petroleum Geologists. https://doi.org/10.1306/M48508 |
||||
| Ehrenberg, S. N., & Nadeau, P. H. (2005). Sandstone vs. carbonate petroleum reservoirs: A global perspective on porosity-depth and porosity-permeability relationships. AAPG Bulletin, 89(4), 435-445. https://doi.org/10.1306/11230404071 |
||||
| Eltom, H. A., Syahputra, M. R. N., El-Husseiny, A., & La Croix, A. D. (2023). Spatial complexity of burrow attributes and their impact on porosity and permeability distributions in bioturbated reservoirs. Sedimentary Geology, 450, 106395. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sedgeo.2023.106395 |
||||
| Enaworu, E. (2024). Pore to Field Scale Rock Typing and Reservoir Characterisation (Doctoral dissertation, University of Leicester). | ||||
| Holditch, S. A. (2006). Tight gas sands. Journal of Petroleum Technology, 58(06), 86-93. https://doi.org/10.2118/103356-JPT |
||||
| Horsfall, O. I., Akpan, M. J., & George, N. J. (2024). Reservoir characterisation of GABO field in the Niger Delta Basin using facies and petrophysical analyses. Results in Earth Sciences, 2, 100038. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rines.2024.100038 |
||||
| Igbinigie, N. S., & Aigbadon, G. O. (2025). Application of micropaleontological and chemostratigraphic analyses: Insight into depositional environment and hydrocarbon prospectivity in the Niger Delta Basin, Nigeria. Results in Earth Sciences, 3, 100111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rines.2025.100111 |
||||
| Igili, C. O., & Ndubueze, O. V. (2024). Diagenetic quality, extent of alteration and preservation of organic matter of wells A and B in Niger Delta Basin, Nigeria. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management, 28(12), 4073-4082. https://doi.org/10.4314/jasem.v28i12.17 |
||||
| Iheaturu, T. C., Ideozu, R. U., Abrakasa, S., & Jones, A. E. (2022). Sequence stratigraphy and tectonic framework of the Gabo Field, Niger Delta, Nigeria. Scientia Africana, 21(3), 19-36. https://doi.org/10.4314/sa.v21i3.2 |
||||
| Ilevbare, M., Vangerwua, M. A., Agbaje, Y. O., Ore, O. T., & Olutomilola, O. O. (2025). Paleoenvironment of Deposition and Maturity of Coastal Plain Sand in Okomu, Benin Formation, Niger Delta Basin, Nigeria. International Journal of Earth Sciences Knowledge and Applications, 7(1), 11-24. | ||||
| Kouadio, K. E., Abrakasa, S., Ikiensikimama, S. S., & Botwe, T. (2020). Source rocks characterization of Agbada and Akata formations in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. European Journal of Environment and Earth Sciences, 1(4), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.24018/ejgeo.2020.1.4.38 |
||||
| Li, H., Black, J. R., Hao, Y., Hao, P., Mishra, A., & Haese, R. R. (2024). Modelling diagenetic reactions and secondary porosity generation in sandstones controlled by the advection of low‐molecular‐weight organic acids. Basin Research, 36(2), e12860. https://doi.org/10.1111/bre.12860 |
||||
| Lindsay, C., Braun, E., Berg, S., Krevor, S., Pols, R., & Hill, J. (2023). Core analysis in a changing world-how technology is radically benefiting the methodology to acquire, the ability to visualize and the ultimate value of core data. The Geological Society of London. https://doi.org/10.1144/SP527-2021-199 |
||||
| Okon, A. N., Adewole, S. E., & Uguma, E. M. (2021). Artificial neural network model for reservoir petrophysical properties: porosity, permeability and water saturation prediction. Modeling Earth Systems and Environment, 7(4), 2373-2390. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40808-020-01012-4 |
||||
| Oluyemoh, A. O. (2023). Petrophysical studies and seismic data analysis for hydrocarbon evaluation of 'Fem'Field, Niger Delta, Nigeria (Master's thesis, Kwara State University, Nigeria). | ||||
| Omietimi, E. J. (2022). Sedimentology, palaeoenvironment and structural interpretation of the Cretaceous SW Anambra Basin, Nigeria (Doctoral dissertation, University of Pretoria). | ||||
| Omoboriowo, A. O., Chiaghanam, O. I., Chiadikobi, K. C., Oluwajana, O. A., Soronnadi-Ononiwu, C. G., & Ideozu, R. U. (2012). Reservoir characterization of KONGA field, onshore Niger delta, southern Nigeria. International Journal of Emerging Technology, 3, 19-30. | ||||
| Owoyemi, A. O. (2005). Sequence stratigraphy of Niger Delta, Delta field, offshore Nigeria (Doctoral dissertation, Texas A&M University). | ||||
| Paxton, S. T., Szabo, J. O., Ajdukiewicz, J. M., & Klimentidis, R. E. (2002). Construction of an intergranular volume compaction curve for evaluating and predicting compaction and porosity loss in rigid-grain sandstone reservoirs. AAPG Bulletin, 86(12), 2047-2067. https://doi.org/10.1306/61EEDDFA-173E-11D7-8645000102C1865D |
||||
| Petter, A. L., & Steel, R. J. (2006). Hyperpycnal flow variability and slope organization on an Eocene shelf margin, Central Basin, Spitsbergen. AAPG Bulletin, 90(10), 1451-1472. https://doi.org/10.1306/04240605144 |
||||
| Pittman, E. D. (1992). Relationship of porosity and permeability to various parameters derived from mercury injection-capillary pressure curves for sandstone. AAPG Bulletin, 76(2), 191-198. https://doi.org/10.1306/BDFF87A4-1718-11D7-8645000102C1865D |
||||
| Rajput, S., & Pathak, R. K. (2025). Reservoir delineation and characterization. In Seismic Exploration to Reservoir Excellence (pp. 321-394). Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-1293-2_7 |
||||
| Reijers, T. J. A., Petters, S. W., & Nwajide, C. S. (1997). The Niger delta basin. In Sedimentary basins of the world (Vol. 3, pp. 151-172). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1874-5997(97)80010-X |
||||
| Shi, L., Jin, Z., Zhu, X. E., Lin, M., & Guan, B. (2024). Generation mechanism of overpressures caused by disequilibrium compaction in the northwestern Bozhong subbasin, China. Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology, 14(7), 1843-1857. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13202-024-01811-w |
||||
| Short, K. C., & Stäuble, A. J. (1967). Outline of geology of Niger Delta. AAPG Bulletin, 51(5), 761-779. https://doi.org/10.1306/5D25C0CF-16C1-11D7-8645000102C1865D |
||||
| Tiab, D., & Donaldson, E. C. (2015). Petrophysics: Theory and Practice of Measuring Reservoir Rock and Fluid Transport Properties (4th edition). Gulf Professional Publishing. (Chapter 4: Permeability). | ||||
| Van Baaren, J. (1979). Quick-look permeability estimates using sidewall samples and porosity logs. Paper presented at the 6th annual European logging symposium transactions. | ||||
| Vasseur, G., Brigaud, F., & Demongodin, L. (1995). Thermal conductivity estimation in sedimentary basins. Tectonophysics, 244(1-3), 167-174. https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(94)00225-X |
||||
| Wang, Z., Zhang, Z., Liu, Y., Wei, B., & Lin, X. (2024). Experimental study on porosity & permeability characteristics of typical tight oil reservoirs. Chemistry and Technology of Fuels and Oils, 60(1), 80-87. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10553-024-01659-0 |
||||
| Weber, K. J., & Daukoru, E. M. (1975). Petroleum geology of the Niger Delta. In Proceedings of the 9th World Petroleum Congress (Vol. 2, pp. 209-221). Applied Science Publishers. | ||||
| Wu, H., Ban, S., Du, Z., Hao, A., Li, J., Wei, G., ... & Li, M. (2023). Controls on anomalously high porosity/permeability of Middle Jurassic deeply buried tight sandstones in the Taibei Sag, Turpan-Hami Basin, northwestern China: Implications for reservoir quality prediction. Frontiers in Earth Science, 11, 1127807. https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2023.1127807 |
||||
| Zhang, Z., Zhang, Z., Lu, W., Guo, H., Liu, C., & Ning, F. (2024). Pore-scale investigations of permeability of saturated porous media: Pore structure efficiency. Journal of Hydrology, 637, 131441. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2024.131441 |
||||
Copyright © 2026 Integrity Research Journals. All rights reserved.