Porosity and Classification in Carbonate Rocks

Powered by : shaeda saeed , ahmad xalid , ahmad xamis

Lecturer : dr. Parween , dr. Amanj
Date : 22/5/2023
Practical sedimentary rocks
Introduction
• Porosity is a critical parameter in hydrocarbon
reservoir characterization.
• It represents the void spaces within a rock that
can store fluids like oil and gas.
• Understanding porosity is vital for estimating
reservoir capacity and flow properties.
Importance of Porosity in Hydrocarbon
Reservoirs
• Porosity directly influences the storage and
production of hydrocarbons.
• It affects the reservoir's ability to hold and
transmit fluids.
• Accurate porosity estimation is crucial for
reservoir modeling and production forecasting.
Carbonate Rocks as Reservoirs
• Carbonate rocks are an important type of
reservoir rock.
• They are composed mainly of calcium carbonate
(limestone) or dolomite.
• Carbonates present unique challenges due to their
complex diagenetic history and variability in
porosity types.
    Definition of Porosity
• Porosity refers to the measure of void spaces or gaps
within a rock or sediment.
• It quantifies the amount of empty or open space
available for fluids, such as water, oil, or gas, to be
stored or flow through.
    How Porosity is Measured
• Porosity is expressed as a percentage or a decimal
fraction.
• It is calculated by dividing the volume of void spaces
by the total volume of the rock or sediment.
• Porosity is a key parameter in reservoir characterization
and is determined through various methods, such as
core analysis and well logging.
Types of Porosity in Carbonate Rocks
• Primary Porosity:
• Primary porosity is formed during deposition and initial compaction of
carbonate sediments.
• It is a result of the arrangement and packing of grains or particles within the
rock.
• Common types of primary porosity in carbonate rocks include:
• Intergranular porosity: Spaces between grains or crystals.
• Intraparticle porosity: Porosity within individual particles.
• Fracture porosity: Porosity developed through fracturing during tectonic
activity.
• Secondary Porosity:
• Secondary porosity is formed after deposition, during diagenesis, or through
later alteration processes.
• It is the result of various diagenetic processes that modify the original rock
fabric.
• Types of secondary porosity in carbonate rocks include:
• Moldic porosity: Additional dissolution of pre-existing pores or fossils.
• Dissolution vugs: Larger cavities formed by extensive dissolution.
• Fracture porosity: Enhanced porosity due to fracturing or faulting.
• Karst porosity: Extensive dissolution resulting in complex underground
drainage systems.
Primary Porosity in Carbonate Rocks
1.Intergranular Porosity:
•Intergranular porosity refers to the void spaces between grains or
crystals in carbonate rocks.
2.Intraparticle Porosity:
•Intraparticle porosity exists within individual particles in carbonate
rocks.
3.Moldic Porosity:
•Moldic porosity refers to cavities or void spaces created by the
dissolution of grains or fossils in carbonate rocks.
4.Fenestral Porosity:
•Fenestral porosity is associated with fenestrae or openings present
in carbonate mud.
5.Fracture Porosity:
•Fracture porosity in carbonate rocks is formed by fractures or
cracks induced by tectonic activity.
Classification of Secondary Porosity in Carbonate Rocks
1.Moldic Porosity:
•Formed by dissolving grains or fossils, creating irregular cavities within the rock.
2.Dissolution Vugs:
•Large cavities formed by extensive dissolution, leading to significant increases in porosity.
3.Fracture Porosity:
•Porosity occurring in fractures or cracks within the carbonate rock, providing additional
pathways for fluid flow.
4.Karst Porosity:
•Complex underground drainage systems formed by extensive dissolution, resulting in
interconnected networks of conduits and caverns.

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Factors Affecting Porosity in Carbonate
Rocks:

Rock Composition: Different minerals

impact porosity development.

Diagenetic History: Changes in rocks over

time influence porosity.

Fluid Flow and Pressure: Fluids can

dissolve or cement rock, affecting porosity.

Tectonic Events: Fracturing from tectonic

activity can increase porosity.
Petrophysical Analysis of Porosity in Carbonate Rocks:
1.Core Analysis: Lab techniques measure porosity in core samples.
2.Well Logging: Tools estimate porosity while drilling or logging.
3.Cross-plotting: Plotting different log measurements helps determine porosity.
4.Wireline Formation Testing: Pressure and fluid measurements estimate porosity.
5.Petrophysical Models: Equations relate log data to calculate porosity.

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Conclusion
•Porosity in carbonate rocks affects how well they can
store and move fluids.
•Understanding porosity in carbonate rocks is important
for studying reservoirs.
•Primary and secondary porosity types contribute to the
overall porosity in carbonate rocks.
•Different factors like rock composition, diagenesis,
and fluid flow influence porosity.
•Porosity directly impacts the quality of reservoirs and
the production of hydrocarbons.
•Various methods like core analysis and well logging
help evaluate porosity in carbonate rocks.
•Case studies demonstrate the significance of porosity
in optimizing hydrocarbon production.
•Overall, understanding porosity in carbonate rocks is
crucial for managing reservoirs effectively and
maximizing hydrocarbon recovery.
References
•Smith, D. G. W. (2011). Carbonate reservoirs: Porosity evolution and
diagenesis in a sequence stratigraphic framework. John Wiley &
Sons.
•Lucia, F. J. (2007). Carbonate reservoir characterization: an
integrated approach. Springer Science & Business Media.
•Sibley, D. F., & Gregg, J. M. (1987). Classification of dolomite rock
textures. Journal of Sedimentary Research, 57(6), 967-975.
•Tiab, D., & Donaldson, E. C. (2015). Petrophysics: theory and
practice of measuring reservoir rock and fluid transport properties.
Gulf Professional Publishing.
•Schlumberger Oilfield Glossary. (n.d.). Porosity. Retrieved from
https://www.glossary.oilfield.slb.com/en/terms/p/porosity
•AAPG Wiki. (n.d.). Porosity. Retrieved from
https://wiki.aapg.org/Porosity

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