Rock Physics Characteristics and Modeling of Deep Fracture–Cavity Carbonate Reservoirs

Qifei Fang, Juntao Ge, Xiaoqiong Wang (), Junfeng Zhou, Huizhen Li, Yuhao Zhao, Tuanyu Teng, Guoliang Yan and Mengen Wang
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Qifei Fang: Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration & Development-Northwest, Petrochina, Lanzhou 730020, China
Juntao Ge: Unconventional Petroleum Research Institute, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China
Xiaoqiong Wang: Unconventional Petroleum Research Institute, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China
Junfeng Zhou: Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration & Development-Northwest, Petrochina, Lanzhou 730020, China
Huizhen Li: Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration & Development-Northwest, Petrochina, Lanzhou 730020, China
Yuhao Zhao: Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration & Development-Northwest, Petrochina, Lanzhou 730020, China
Tuanyu Teng: Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration & Development-Northwest, Petrochina, Lanzhou 730020, China
Guoliang Yan: Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration & Development-Northwest, Petrochina, Lanzhou 730020, China
Mengen Wang: Unconventional Petroleum Research Institute, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 14, 1-16

Abstract: The deep carbonate reservoirs in the Tarim Basin, Xinjiang, China, are widely developed with multi-scale complex reservoir spaces such as fractures, pores, and karst caves under the coupling of abnormal high pressure, diagenesis, karst, and tectonics and have strong heterogeneity. Among them, fracture–cavity carbonate reservoirs are one of the main reservoir types. Revealing the petrophysical characteristics of fracture–cavity carbonate reservoirs can provide a theoretical basis for the log interpretation and geophysical prediction of deep reservoirs, which holds significant implications for deep hydrocarbon exploration and production. In this study, based on the mineral composition and complex pore structure of carbonate rocks in the Tarim Basin, we comprehensively applied classical petrophysical models, including Voigt–Reuss–Hill, DEM (Differential Effective Medium), Hudson, Wood, and Gassmann, to establish a fracture–cavity petrophysical model tailored to the target block. This model effectively characterizes the complex pore structure of deep carbonate rocks and addresses the applicability limitations of conventional models in heterogeneous reservoirs. The discrepancies between the model-predicted elastic moduli, longitudinal and shear wave velocities (Vp and Vs), and laboratory measurements are within 4%, validating the model’s reliability. Petrophysical template analysis demonstrates that P-wave impedance (Ip) and the Vp/Vs ratio increase with water saturation but decrease with fracture density. A higher fracture density amplifies the fluid effect on the elastic properties of reservoir samples. The Vp/Vs ratio is more sensitive to pore fluids than to fractures, whereas Ip is more sensitive to fracture density. Regions with higher fracture and pore development exhibit greater hydrocarbon storage potential. Therefore, this petrophysical model and its quantitative templates can provide theoretical and technical support for predicting geological sweet spots in deep carbonate reservoirs.

Keywords: fracture–cavity carbonate rocks; petrophysics; fracture–dissolution holes; wave velocities; saturation; crack density (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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