Sandstones and sandstone reservoirs

Abstract

About 50% of all petroleum reservoirs are sandstones; outside the Middle East, carbonate reservoirs are less common and the percentage is even higher. The most important reservoir properties are porosity and permeability, but pore geometry and wetting properties of the mineral surfaces may also influence petroleum production. Sandstones provide reservoirs for oil and gas, but also for groundwater which is a fluid that is becoming increasingly valuable. Sandstones are deposited in many different sedimentary environments by marine, fluvial and eolian (wind) processes.