Unravelling the pore network and its behaviour: An integrated NMR, MICP, XCT and petrographical study of continental spring carbonates from the Ballık area, SW Turkey

Applying an integrated methodology, including petrography, mercury injection capillary pressure, laboratory nuclear magnetic resonance and X-ray computed tomography, on continental spring carbonate reservoir analogue samples is a prerequisite to understand plug scale porosity permeability heterogeneities. Depending the dominant pore type in sample, orientation distribution of pores, network connectivity varies from poor excellent these carbonates. The latter exhibit large-scale ranges for both (3%–25%) (0.004–3,675 mD). Facies classification alone proved insufficient link permeability, due intrafacies variability. Better assessment properties can be achieved by subdividing facies into lithotype classes. Obtained data addresses types, (throat) sizes, number compartments, allow subdivision size distributions unimodal, bimodal atypical types. There no micropore compartment present with unimodal pressure distributions. Decoupled compartments are observed distributions, which show isolating calcite rims, have limited permeabilities. cement rims decrease macropore decouple reside micritic dendrites. (r < 1 µm) coupled mesopore = 1–15 > 15 lack pore-lining rims.