Depositional and diagenetic controls on reservoir quality of the Sarvak Formation in one of the Abadan plain oilfields (SW Iran)

The Sarvak Formation is one of the most important carbonate reservoirs of Iran. The main objective of this study is to evaluate reservoir quality of the formation by integration of petrographic studies and core porosity-permeability data in three key wells in a giant oilfield of the Abadan Plain, SW Iran. Petrographic studies led to the identification of 13 microfacies that are grouped into three main facies belts including lagoon, shoal, and open marine (talus and slope) which deposited in an isolated carbonate platform. The main diagenetic processes affecting the Sarvak Formation are micritization, bioturbation, recrystallization, dissolution, cementation, physical and chemical compaction, dolomitization and silicification, along with fracturing. According to the results, the reservoir quality of the Sarvak reservoir is a function of both primary depositional facies and secondary diagenetic processes. Evaluation of impacts of depositional facies on reservoir quality indicated that the rudist-bearing intervals (especially rudist debris zones) have high reservoir quality. Dissolution and cementation are the most pervasive diagenetic processes affecting the formation, and occurred due to widespread meteoric diagenesis. Dissolution and fracturing are the chief factors that lead to the improvement of porosity-permeability, whilst calcite cementation and compaction have destructed reservoir quality of the studied interval. This study may assist better understand the geological parameters controlling reservoir quality of Sarvak Formation in the Abadan Plain oilfields.