Empirical relation between carbonate porosity and thermal maturity: an approach to regional porosity prediction

Journal Article · Thu Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1984 · Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6230824

Schmoker, J W

Data indicate that porosity loss in subsurface carbonate rocks can be empirically represented by the power function, theta = a (TTI) /SUP b/ , where theta is regional porosity, TTI is Lopatin's time-temperature index of thermal maturity, the exponent, b, equals approximately -0.372, and the multiplier, a, is constant for a given data population but varies by an order of magnitude overall. Implications include the following. 1. The decrease of carbonate porosity by burial diagenesis is a maturation process depending exponentially on temperature and linearly on time. 2. The exponent, b, is essentially independent of the rock matrix, and may reflect rate-limiting processes of diffusive transport. 3. The multiplying coefficient, a, incorporates the net effect on porosity of all depositional and diagenetic parameters. Within constraints, carbonate-porosity prediction appears possible on a regional measurement scale as a function of thermal maturity. Estimation of carbonate porosity at the time of hydrocarbon generation, migration, or trapping also appears possible.

• Research Organization: U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, CO
• OSTI ID: 6230824
• Journal Information: Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States), Vol. 68:11
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
CARBONATE ROCKS
DIAGENESIS
GEOTHERMOMETRY
MATURATION
POROSITY
CALCULATION METHODS
EXPLORATORY WELLS
FORECASTING
FUNCTIONS
GEOTHERMAL GRADIENTS
PETROLEUM GEOLOGY
RESERVOIR ROCK
GEOLOGY
ROCKS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
TEMPERATURE GRADIENTS
WELLS
020200* - Petroleum- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration