Qualitative and quantitative diagenetic modelling in a tight carbonate reservoir in north-western Iraq

The diagenetic history of the Butmah Formation (Lower Jurassic) is very complex and affected by several diagenetic processes that worked effectively with fracturing control to create the final pore network. A microscopic study, core plug and well log analyses were combined in this study in order to describe, and differentiate between, the diagenetic and fracturing control that created the final pore system of the formation. The diagenetic processes of the Butmah Formation were studied in depth to describe the diagenetic stages and identify the elements that may compose a petrodiagenetic pathway illustrating its effect on the reservoir quality of the Butmah Formation. Accordingly, the Butmah Formation samples were divided into three petrophysical fields controlled mainly by fracturing and diagenesis, which were then used to develop a new method for estimating the pre-dolomitisation petrophysical properties of the dolomite samples and the post-dolomitisation petrophysical properties of the limestone samples. Consequently, the output of applying this method allows us to effectively begin to predict each of the elements that may compose a petrodiagenetic pathway for the Butmah Formation and make its reservoir characterisation integrated and more understandable. The new method provided a good prediction of matrix porosity and permeability, as well as allowing the estimation of reservoir properties of any other carbonate reservoir in petroleum development projects when there are no core samples in some formation intervals within boreholes.

Automated summary

The diagenetic history of the Butmah Formation is complex and affected by various processes, including fracturing control. This study combines microscopic analysis, core plug and well log analyses to understand the diagenetic and fracturing control that created the final pore system of the formation. The new method developed in this study allows for the estimation of reservoir properties of carbonate reservoirs, even in the absence of core samples.