Permeability Predictions from Acoustic Core Measurements

Core measurements published by Weger et al. (2009) are used as a training dataset. We have used a modified version of the rock physics model for carbonates of Sun (2000, 2004), to estimate permeability solely as a function of P-wave velocity and porosity in brine saturated carbonates. The results were tested against an independent database with 101 carbonate core measurements from seven different locations. The test results are promising, indicating that over 72 % of the permeabilities can be predicted within one order of magnitude. An analysis of the prediction errors indicated the validity areas of the model. The model struggles to reproduce permeability in high porous - low permeability rocks, which from thin sections were found to be oomoldic. Also low porosity - high permeability carbonates were difficult to predict. It is shown that integration of the developed model with geological knowledge will improve the prediction accuracy. This methodology elucidates the intricate link between carbonate rock frame stiffness and pore structure flow properties. It offers the potential to improve permeability predictions from wireline sonic data.