MICROFACIES AND DEPOSITIONAL ANALYSIS OF THE MISHRIF FORMATION IN SELECTED WELLS OF RATAWI OILFIELD, SOUTHERN IRAQ

This paper includes studying the distribution of microfacies, diagenetic processes and depositional basin of the Mishrif Formation in selected wells of Ratawi oilfield (Ratawi-2 and Ratawi-5), southern Iraq. More than 200 thin sections of samples were examined of the above-mentioned wells. The Mishrif Formation is divided into three major microfacies: lime mudstone, wackestone, and packstone, which are deposited in sub-basinal, lagoonal open shelf margin, and, shoal environments. Benthonic foraminifera, planktonic, Echinodermata and algae represent the fossils in the Mishrif Formation. Dolomite and calcite are the main minerals components of formation. Seven diagenetic processes were recognized in the Mishrif Formation, showed positive and destructive effects on the reservoir quality; dissolution and neomorphism (recrystallization) had highly positive effects through creating and improving porosity and permeability, which led to improving reservoir quality. Cementation, micritization, and compaction have destructive effects, through reducing porosity and permeability and led to reducing reservoir quality. Other processes such as, dolomitization, authigenic minerals (pyrite) did not have strong effects on reservoir quality. Based on the genetic classification of the porosity, most of the porosity within the Mishrif Formation in this field was formed by diagenesis processes, in which the predominant pore types are vuggy, intraparticle, fractured, and moldic. Analysis of microfacies showed that there are three main facies and eight secondary facies in the Mishrif Formation. The longitudinal section of the depositional environments showed, that Mishrif Formation deposited in the sub-basinal, lagoonal, open shelf margin, and shoal environments depending on fossils observed in a number of microfacies.


INTRODUCTION
The Cretaceous rocks occupy a distinct position within the stratigraphic column in southern Iraq, where the content of this era represents good oil potential rocks. Some of these formations were considered as source rocks, while the others were reservoirs with high oil potentiality (Idan et al., 2020). The Mishrif Formation contains up to 40% of Cretaceous oil reserves in Iraq, and approximately 30% of the total Iraqi oil reserves (Mohammed et al., 2020). The Mishrif Formation (Cenomanian -Early Turonian age) is a super-giant reservoir in Iraq and the adjacent countries (Alsharhan, 1995 andAqrawi et al., 1998). Oil reserves of the formation account for 40% of the Cretaceous oil reserve and approximately 30% of Iraq's confirmed reserves (Aqrawi et al., 1998). The microfacies is described as completely sedimentological and paleontological records which can be defined and categorized from thin sections, peels, polished slabs, or rock samples (Flügel, 2010). For the importance of the determination, the relationship between the microfacies and the diagenesis processes, the depositional environments and their effect on reservoir properties, this research is discussed, the microfacies through the examination thin sections via microscope and related to the diagenesis and depositional environments, and their effect on reservoir facies. The facies are also described following the idea of standard facies zones (Wilson, 1975), that describes a rimmed carbonate platform (Flügel, 2010). While Kendall (2007) defines facies as representing histological, structural, and synthetically properties that result from deposition processes and caused modification and accumulation within the depositional environment. Carbonate sediments and rocks are characterized by a broad range of physical properties which are affected by variable deposition and diagenesis processes (Al-Baldawi, 2020). Lithofacies are determined based on depositional rock properties such as texture, constituent components, and sedimentary structures (Ahr, 2008). The classification of Dunham (1962) is an easy and widely applied classification for microfacies. Many geological studies have been done on the Mishrif Formation. The stratigraphic, depositional environment and facies studies were given by recognized four general facies within the Mishrif: restricted shelf, rudist build-up, open shelf and sub-basinal. Aqrawi et al. (1998) recognized two thirdorder sequences separated by an intra-formational unconformity which is recorded near the Iranian border at Amara. Al-Mimar et al. (2018) distinguish four facies associations in the studied succession, which include shallow open marine, shoal, deep marine, and basinal association. The stratigraphic succession was generally divided into eleven zones based on the gamma ray and geochemical data. Four facies associations were distinguished by Abbas et al. (2020,) each of which represents a distinct depositional environment and includes several microfacies, and these are Shallow open marine, Shoal, Back-Shoal, and Restricted marine. Mahdi (2004) studied the sequence stratigraphy and reservoir characterization of the Mishrif Formation, this study implied high-resolution sequence stratigraphic model, that relies on a time-based correlation scheme of deposition. Sadooni (2005) studied build-ups locations some distance away from the main platform margin, he considered that the maximum thickness of the Mishrif Formation in the Dujaila area was controlled by a local uplift the "Dujaila Shoal".
Al-Mohammad (2012) recognized that a diagenetic processes affected on Mishrif microfacies in Tuba oilfield that has both early and late phases and the most effective processes are dissolution and dolomitization that contributed to the forming of porosity and also they have oilfield by the analysis of seven wireline logs and according to reservoir properties, effective porosity, permeability, and water saturation, the Mishrif Formation is divided into two main units, the upper (mA) and the lower (mB), separated by a shale member. The aim of this research is to study the distribution of microfacies, depositional environment and diagenesis processes of the Mishrif Formation at two wells in Ratawi oilfield by petrographic analysis to recognized and classify microfacies and spotlight the depositional environments.

STRATIGRAPHIC SETTING
The Mishrif and the underlying the Rumaila Formation have been initially defined at Zubair oilfield in south of Iraq in well Zubair-3. The contact between the Mishrif and the Rumaila formations is gradational; however, the contact between the Mishrif and the overlying Kifil Formation is gradational too. Nevertheless, in many oilfields, south of Iraq, for instance the West Qurna oilfield, the Mishrif Formation is unconformable overlain by using the Khasib Formation in which the Kifil Formation is absent (Aqrawi, 1995). A cross section shows the divisions of the Mishrif Formation, the shale to carbonate ratio, the oil and water content in the Ratawi oilfield is summarized in Fig. 3 (Al-Musawi et al., 2019).
The Mishrif Formation is a heterogeneous that is organic limestone with a group of algae, rudist and coral reef limestone (Bellen et al., 1959). In its common region, this

METHODOLOGY
In this study, more than 200 thin sections of samples for the current study were based mainly on the Dunham (1962) classification by using a polarizing microscope to determine the texture, microfacies and identify the components and diagenesis processes. All thin sections were oriented and stained with Alizarin Red Solution (ARS) in order to detect calcite and dolomite (Dickson, 1966). Well-preserved digital photomicrographs of grains and structures such as stylolites were taken through a digital camera connected to the microscope and a computer program. To interpret and classify microfacies, the Flügel method (Flügel, 2004) was used. This step involves collecting and studying resources, mapping of study wells and choosing two wells from the Ratawi oilfield.

Microfacies Analysis
Based on the relationship between fossil content and groundmass type, each of the main microfacies is subdivided into several submicrofacies. There are four microfacies, which recognized in the present study, as followed:

Lime mudstone microfacies
Lime mudstone was defined by Dunham (1962) as a kind of limestone that its infrastructure composed of microcrystalline calcite, which corresponds to the term micrite that was launched by Folk (1965). Micrite composed more than 90% of these microfacies, and it also consists of Allochems by ratios ranging from 2-10% and represented by bioclasts or lithoclasts, such kind of facies deposited in low energy environments (Bathurst, 1975).
According to microfacies composition, is further specified:

Unfossiliferous lime mudstone submicrofacies
This submicrofacies is found only in upper Mishrif at well Rt-2 (Plates 1a and 1b), (Table 2) and (Figs. 4 and 6). Generally, the term of mudstone (micrite) refers to the quiet environment (Dunham, 1962). In addition to lime mudstone contributes to preventing living beings to gather and forming grains its inside. These microfacies is found within the micritic matrix.
The most important digenesis processes that affected this microfacies are neomorphism.

Bioclastic lime mudstone submicrofacies
This microfacies is distinguished by using a rate of fossiliferous no longer exceed (10%) consisting of Echinoderm and algae as well. This submicrofacies is observed in upper, middle and lower Mishrif in wells Ratawi-2 and Ratawi-5 (Plates 1c, 1d, 1e, and 1f), (Tables 2 and   3), and (Figs. 4 and 6). The most important digenesis processes that affected on this microfacies are compaction and dolomitization. This submicrofacies correlates the standard microfacies SMF-19 that was deposited in facies zone FZ-8 according to model of Wilson (1975) and Flügel (1982 and2004), which represents restricted lagoonal environment.

Wackestone microfacies
This microfacies type, the percentage of skeletal and non-skeletal grains range is 10-40% of this microfacies. It is considered as the main common microfacies of the Mishrif Formation within the wells Rt-2 and Rt-5. This microfacies in skeletal grains, mainly composed of benthic foraminifera, mollusca shells, echinodermata and algae, which their structures have been observed intact and their parts are clear, buried in the micrite matrix (Dunham, 1962).
While non-skeletal grains are represented by peloidal grains and bioclasts. This microfacies was subjected to a range of diagenesis processes including cementation, which were represented by several types such as blocky, granular mosaic cement, dolomitization that had partial effect and appearance of small dolomite crystals without facets, compaction, dissolution and micritization. Depending on the ratio of dominant grains and diagenetic processes, the wakestones are further divided into three sub microfacies, as followed:

Bioclastic wackestone submicrofacies
This microfacies has consists of microbioclast within varying levels, such as fragments and debris of planktonic (Hedbergella), algae, peloids with few ratios of both benthic foraminifera (Valvulinid and Pryozoa). The most important digenesis processes which are found in this submicrofacies are dolomitization, neomorphism, recrystallization, cementation, and the appearance of granular and blocky mosaic cement and characterized by the interparticle and intrapaticle porosity. This submicrofacies was abundantly observed in upper and lower Mishrif in wells Rt-2 and Rt-5 (Plates 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 3a, 3b, and 3c), (Tables 2 and 3), and (Figs. 4 and 6). It is also has been observed that there are stylolite solutions associated with the dolomite and pyrite. This microfacies is similar in characteristics with SMF-18 that was deposited in FZ-7, 8 according to model of Wilson (1975) and Flügel (1982 and2004), which represents restricted lagoonal and open shelf margin environments.

Peloidal wackestone submicrofacies
This submicrofacies consists of peloids of different sizes and shapes. It is soluble filled with more than one type of cement, fragments of benthic foraminifera such as (Miliolidae). The most important digenesis processes that affected this submicrofacies are the dissolution and micritization through the appearance of blocky mosaic cement and characterized by the vuggy porosity. This submicrofacies was found in Rt-2 and Rt-5 wells (Plates 3d, 3e, and 3f), (Tables 2 and 3) and (Figs. 4 and 6). It is also has been observed that there are stylolite solutions associated with the dolomite and pyrite. This facies could be compared with standard microfacies SMF-18 that was deposited in facies zone FZ-8 according to Wilson (1975) and Flügel (1982 and2004), which represents lagoonal environment.

Packstone microfacies
This microfacies consist mainly of grains, which represent a ratio between 40-90% when it comparing with the micritic matrix which, it is partially or totally converted into micro and Echinoids. This submicrofacies is found in wells Rt-2 and Rt-5 (Plates 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f, and 5a), (Tables 2 and 3), and (Figs. 4 and 6). The most important digenesis processes, which are observed in this microfacies are dolomitization, micritization and cementation, the appearance of blocky mosaic, drusy mosaic and granular cement, also characterized by the intraparticle, vuggy, interparticle and moldic porosity. Stylolite solutions associated with the dolomite and pyrite were also recognized. This microfacies correlates with standard microfacies SMF-4 that is deposited in facies zones FZ-4 according to model Wilson (1975) and Flügel (1982 and2004), which represents the reef slope environment.

Benthonic foraminiferal and peloidal packstone submicrofacies
This submicrofacies is mainly formed from peliods and various sizes of benthic foraminifera (Valvulinids, Textularia and Cisalveolina), the presence of bioclasts debris represented by fragments and debris of algae, Miliolidae, and oolitic as well as presence staining oil that are located in micritic matrix. The peloids are generally represented by the difficulty of the determination of its origin, therefore it is formed with skeletal grains are represented by benthic foraminifera exposed to the micritization process or formed from non-skeletal grains such as incomplete pseudo-oolites that having no appropriate conditions for being complete also such facies are exposed to the cementation process. The main recognized digenesis process in this microfacies are the dissolution micritization, compaction and cementation (blocky mosaic, drusy mosaic and granular cement), which characterized by the vuggy, moldic and fractured porosity. This submicrofacies is found in wells Rt-2 and Rt-5 (Plates 5d, 5e, 5f, 6a, 6b, and 6c), (Tables 2 and 3), and) Figs. 4 and 6). It is also has been observed that there are stylolite solutions associated with the dolomite (Flügel, 2004). These facies could be compared with standard microfacies SMF-18 that was deposited in facies zone 8 according to Wilson (1975) and Flügel (1982 and2004), which represents the lagoonal, shoal, and open shelf margin environments.

Planktonic foraminiferal packstone submicrofacies
Skeletal grains were the main components of this facies in proportion up to about 80% of the grains, and principally consists of abundant planktonic foraminifera such as Oligostegina, Globotruncana, Hedbergella, and Heterohelix) These assemblages are associated with limited number of rudist fragments, bioclasts, and a few ratios of benthonic foraminifera. This submicrofacies is observed in wells Rt-2 and Rt-5 (Plates 6d, 6e, and 6f), (Tables 2 and 3) and (Figs. 4 and 6). Compaction, dissolution, micritization and cementation are the main diagenetic processes in these facies, it observed by micrite which granular cement and characterized by the vuggy, interparticles and moldic porosity. This facies could be compared with standard microfacies SMF-3 that was deposited in facies zone FZ-3 according to model Wilson (1975) and Flügel (1982 and2004), which represents the sub-basinal environment Ben.P

Diagenetic Processes
Diagenetic processes are defined as all the physical and chemical changes that occur in sediments before and after the burial process (Flügel, 1982). Dissolution, micritization, cementation, compaction, neomorphism, dolomitization and authigenic minerals are main of diagenetic processes in the Mishrif Formation. The following is a short summary of these operations:

Micritization
Organic participate in a variety of ways in generation carbonate deposits. After carbonate sediment are deposited, however, organisms may breakdown skeletal grains and other carbonate materials. This organic degradation is actually a kind of sediment-forming process because it results in the production of finer-grained sediment. Nonetheless, it is included here as a type of very early diagenesis because it brings about modification of previously formed sediment. The most important kind of biogenetic modification of sediment is caused by the boring activities of organisms. Boring by using algae, fungi and bacteria is an especially important process for modifying skeletal fabric and carbonate grains (Boggs, 2009). Even greater intensive boring may also result in whole micritization of the grain, with the result that all inner textures are destroyed and a type of peloid is created. This process has been affected widely at the Mishrif Formation in well Rt-2 (Plate 5a).

Dissolution
The process of dissolving the skeletal and non-skeletal components that exist in the tissue of carbonate rocks due to their mixing with fresh water or may be with seawater (Flügel, 1982).
Dissolution depends on the solubility of the minerals; for example, the solubility of calcium carbonate increases from low magnesium calcite (LMC) to aragonite and high magnesium calcite (HMC).
Dissolution generates three types of porosity, namely vuggy, moldic, and intergranular porosity, of which vuggy porosity is the main dissolution type. The formation of vuggy porosity appears to be non-fabric selective (Choquette and Pray, 1970), involving the dissolution of all components (matrix, cement, and grains). The amount of dissolution depends mainly on the length of time that the sediments are exposed to meteoric water. Giles and Marshall (1986) concluded the dissolution process could occur in deep burial environments due to the concentration of CO2, which is produced because of decay, and decomposition of organic materials in clay-rich facies, in addition to the increase of hydrostatic pressure. Dissolution was observed in the Mishrif Formation, where occurred mainly in the bioclastic wackestone microfacies through the dissolving the fossils skeleton forming moldic porosity, many basic porosity types recognized in Mishrif Formation according to Choquette and Pray (1970) in Flügel (2004):

Interparticle (intergranular) porosity
It is a sort of primary porosity that will occur between the particles during the rocks-genesis.
The effect of cementation on this sort of porosity is well observable. Some of the original intergranular porosity is enlarged by later dissolution (Chafeet, 2016). Such porosity types are found in some wackestone and packstone microfacies (Plates 1c, 5b, and 5c).

4.Vuggy porosity
It is pores irregular shape objects and distributed widely, it shows an improvement of reservoir properties and an increase in the permeability ratio due to the continuous connection of the subjected area. It is observed in the Mishrif Formation (Plates 3d and 5a).

Moldic porosity
It includes pores result from the selective removal, typically by using solution, of grains e.g.
fossils or ooids. The algae are very sensitive to dissolution. It is significant by geographically wide extend, particular in Mishrif Formation. It is found in the wackestone microfacies (Plates 1d, 2c, and 4e).

Fractured porosity
Porosity formed by diagenesis and tectonic movement or collapses a result of solution destruction. It is observed very little in lime mudstone microfacies of the studied area (Plates 1d and 1e).

Cementation
Cementation of the carbonate sediments is an important diagenetic process, which gives strength and stability to the rock. Early diagenetic cement precipitates as fibrous aragonite while granular mosaic cement, drusy and blocky cement precipitate as later diagenetic cements; the later also indicated that these two types of cement could be occurred in deep and shallow environments during late diagenesis processes. It should be noted that all types of cement in the Mishrif Formation are calcareous; silica cement is absent due to water saturated 53 (2B), 2020: 127-153 147 in the cavities with seawater that saturated with calcite and aragonite. The cementation is the filling in at essential voids in or of solution cavities by the use of chemically precipitated cements, following kinds of calcite cement were identified at the Mishrif Formation:

Equant granular cement
Cement formation is resulted by precipitation from water saturated CaCo3 and nearly from the surface (Dave and Royal, 1999). It is common in wackestone and packstone microfacies (Plates 7a, 7b, 7e, and 6b); crystals of high transparency and small size distinguish this type.

Drusy mosaic cement
It is characterized by a volume increase from pore wall to the center of the cavities (Flügel, 1982); this type is distinguished by calcite crystals of high transparency and large size with straight flat edges to semi-flat. This kind of cement has a negative impact on the porosity of the formation. It is present in the bioclastic and Algae wackestone submicrofacies (Plates 7d and 7f).

Blocky mosaic cement
Cement formation resulted in continuous sedimentation and increased mechanical pressure because of increased sedimentation load, it is characterized by large size euhedral-subhedral calcite crystals (Flügel, 1982); also, it is precipitated in late diagenesis. It is observed in the studied area (Plates 2d and 7c).

Neomorphism
This process is regarded as physical origin, which effects in the crystalline form of the rock, without effect in its chemical composition and its effect may be partially or completely (Folk, 1965). Neomorphism process affected some parts of the Mishrif Formation (Plate 1a) both as inversion the aragonite into calcite or converting the calcite to some other calcite that is known as recrystallization, each kind completed throughout re-precipitation and dissolution processes (Longman, 1982).
The Neomorphism can also change the micrite partly or completely to sparite (4-10 microns) or transformed into microsparites, which are less than 4 microns in size and converted to microsparite, which range in size between 30-50 microns, whenever the recrystallization process continues, the microsparite turns into a psuodosparite, which is more than 30 microns in size. In shallow marine environments, the neomorphism process intensifies significantly by using the solution beneath higher temperatures and pressure situations (Flügel, 1982). The intensity in this process is inversely proportional to the ratio of the presence of the muds, whenever the proportions of the muds increase, and the recrystallization process decreased, where the muds impede the recrystallization process (Marschner, 1968).

Dolomitization
This is a process through which the dolomite is formed while magnesium ions replace calcium ions in calcite. The early dolomitization occurs by the replacement of precipitated micrite from seawater rich in magnesium ions and contact sediments before their lithification, where calcium ion replaces by magnesium ion that existed in the seawater, or through the mixing of interstitial water between the particles with fresh water after the exposure of sediment to the air, resulting in increased magnesium ion and decreasing of calcium ion, thus dolomite is formed (Xenotopic, Hypidiotopic, and Idiotopic dolomite), this corresponds to the dolomite formed at the dolomitic limestone microfacies in well Rt-5 at the Mishrif Formation (Plates 4c and 4f) which reflects the shallow conditions which are formed due to the mixing of the freshwater and marine water observed within the pores of the rocks causing the process of complete dolomitization.

Compaction and pressure solution (Stylolization)
The compaction regard as one of the latest diagenesis processes of physical origin. In the initial stages, the process of compaction involves the expulsion of liquids that occupy the pores between the grains and therefore reduce the primary porosity of the sediments and the size of the rocks (Plate 3a). There is another type of compaction called compaction of solutions, dissolution of lime materials may occur during or along with grain edges or crystals forming dissolution surfaces (stylolite) which represent the late stage of the diagenetic processes (Friedman 1975), stylolization process occurs after the end of compaction process and the lithification of rocks and as a result of impressing forces on contact surfaces between grains leading to dissolving the calcite mineral which redeposited as cement materials filling the pore space. Stylolite has been observed in some wackestone microfacies in the well Rt-2 (Plates 1a, 3b, 3f, 4e, and, 6a).

Authigenic minerals (Pyrite)
Authigenic minerals in limestones are generally developed within the form of cubic euhedral crystals. Pyrite is created in normal marine, euxinic and freshwater environments (Flügel, 2004). Pyrite attracts sedimentologists, for the mineral is a valuable indicator of chemical process as presented by (Wilkin et al., 1996in Flügel, 2004 and diagenesis levels (Hudson, 1992in Flügel, 2004. Most of the pyrite in sedimentary rocks is of diagenetic origins, although detrital and synsedimentary pyrite occurs, too. Authigenic pyrite commonly forms under reducing conditions replacing organic material or in close proximity to organic material. Pyrite is frequent in the Bioclastic wackestone submicrofacies in the well Rt-2 (Plates 1a and 1b).

Depositional Environment
It is the overall physical, chemical and biological conditions that impact on sediments.
Through the microscopic examination of thin sections, it has been possible to identify sedimentary environments characterized by a number of microfacies accompaniment and then compared with the Standard Wilson Microfacies (SMF) and Facies Zones (FZ) specified by Flügel (2004 and2010). It can determine the depositional environment as follows:

Sub-basinal environment
This environment has been observed in the middle and the lower Mishrif Formation, it is represented by planktonic foraminiferal packstone microfacies, which indicating that the sedimentation energy is calm and close to the coast, which consists mainly of planktonic foraminifera (Oligostegina, Globotruncana, Hedbergella, and Heterohelix), algae, and peloids with few ratios of both benthic foraminifera (Valvulinid), rudist and peloids. According to the Standard Microfacies (SMF) and Facies Zone (FZ), it is found in the Mishrif Formation similar to SMF-3, which belongs to FZ-3.

Shoal environment
This environment is referred to deposition in high-energy environment within intertidal conditions. This environment has been observed in the middle Mishrif Formation and it is represented only by the benthic foraminiferal and peloidal packstone microfacies. This environment contains bioclasts debris represented by algae and Miliolidae, benthic foraminifera (Valvulinids and Cisalveolina), and peloids. According to the Standard Microfacies (SMF) and Facies Zone (FZ), it is corresponding to SMF-18, which belong to 8. (Figs. 5 and 6) show the proposed depositional environment of the Mishrif Formation in the study area.