Rock physics characteristics and their control factors of carbonate in different sedimentary microfacies of the Yingshan Formation, Gucheng Area, Tarim Basin

Abstract Understanding the influence of geological characteristics on rock physics properties is crucial for accurately recognizing the relationship between rock physics variation and reservoir characteristics. Unlike the conventional rock species, the rock physics properties of the deep carbonate rocks in the third member of Yingshan Formation (Ying-III Member) in Gucheng area, Tarim Basin are relatively more complex. To address this problem, we investigated the rock physics characteristics and controlling factors of different sedimentary microfacies samples, combined with sedimentological analysis and rock physics experiments. The results show that the sedimentary environment affects the lithology and pore structure by controlling the properties of the primitive rock and early diagenesis. Dolomitized shoal microfacies and shoal top dolomitic flat microfacies primarily form crystalline dolomite and siliceous dolomite, with pores consisting of inter-crystalline pores, dissolution pores, and cracks. Inter-shoal dolomitic flat microfacies develops silty dolomite, with only a few inter-crystalline pores and cracks. Middle- to high-energy shoal microfacies and inter-shoal sea microfacies develop tight calcarenite and micritic limestone. Samples with similar mineral composition have relatively consistent density values and acoustic properties. Soft pores, such as micro-cracks, have a significant impact on the effective pressure and acoustic wave velocity, velocity and velocity ratio, and velocity and porosity relationships. The research shows a new approach for the rock physics characteristics of deep carbonate reservoirs under geological background constraints, as well as the rock physics basis for seismic prediction of the Ying-III Member reservoir.