Construction of 2D and 3D rock physics templates for quantitative prediction of physical properties of a carbonate reservoir in SW of Iran

The characterization of carbonate rocks is not straightforward, as they often experience complex diagenetic processes causing them to expose wide variations in pore types. This research aims to characterize the properties of a carbonate reservoir with a complicated porous structure through rock physics principles and tools. Two representative wells from an oil field located in SW of Iran were selected, and two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) rock physics templates (RPTs) were constructed by employing the appropriate rock physics models. The porosity, water saturation, and pore type are considered reservoir parameters affecting carbonate rock's elastic properties and indicating the reservoir quality. The 2D RPTs described variations in two reservoir parameters in terms of elastic properties. However, they were not able to simultaneously characterize all three reservoir parameters. The proposed 3D RPTs revealed the underlying relationship of elastic properties with pore aspect ratio, water saturation, and porosity. To validate the constructed RPTs, well logging data, scanning electron microscope images, and thin section images were utilized. The RPTs were also employed to predict the reservoir properties quantitatively, and these predictions were compared with the petrophysical data. The average errors of the predicted porosity and water saturation by 3D RPT were, respectively, 1.22% and 6.66% for well A, and 2.65% and 8.18% for well B. The 2D RPTs provided three sets of predictions for porosity and water saturation (considering three specific pore aspect ratios of 0.03, 0.1, and 0.5), all with higher average errors compared to the predictions by 3D RPT for both wells. The obtained results proved that 3D RPT could predict reservoir properties more accurately. Finally, based on the estimated values of pore aspect ratio, water saturation, and porosity using 3D RPTs, the reservoir under study was divided into distinct depth intervals, and a quality level was assigned to each interval. The introduced rock physics-based procedure for a carbonate reservoir characterization could increase the reliability in predicting the reservoir properties, enhance the ability to detect the reservoir fluid, and thereby reduce the interpretation risk.

Automated summary

This research aims to characterize the properties of a carbonate reservoir with a complicated porous structure through rock physics principles and tools. The proposed 3D rock physics templates are able to simultaneously characterize the relationship of elastic properties with pore aspect ratio, water saturation, and porosity, thus predicting reservoir properties more accurately. This rock physics-based procedure for carbonate reservoir characterization can enhance the ability to detect reservoir fluid and reduce interpretation risk.