Reservoir characterization of the Pennsylvanian Caddo Limestone in Stephens County, Texas: A case study of Komia-dominated algal mounds

The Caddo Limestone forms economic carbonate reservoirs in Stephens County, northern Texas. This study demonstrates that, in the Caddo Limestone of the Eliasville and Breckenridge fields, porosity and permeability are best developed in phylloid-algal wackestones and packstones, as well as Komia wackestones and packstones prevalent within the uppermost interval (i.e., Cycle A) of the formation in the study area. The main reservoirs formed in the upper and middle intervals of the Caddo algal mounds because of meteoric dissolution related to subaerial exposure (which created a large volume of secondary pores) and early cementation that prevented mechanical compaction. A great portion of the secondary pores remain open, providing the principal pore spaces of the reservoir interval. Vugs (including moldic voids) are abundant, and dissolution-enhanced intragranular pores are very common within widespread Komia. Intercrystalline pores are prevalent in dolomitized and neomorphised lithofacies where micrite was converted to microsparitic and sparitic calcite. Micropores are abundant in the matrix and within grains (especially Komia fragments). The lower or basal interval of Cycle A is commonly much less porous owing to the substantial loss of primary pores by physical compaction and lack (or rare presence) of secondary pores. Laterally, wells in the areas with thicker Cycle A (interpreted as algal mounds) have higher porosity and thicker net reservoir than those in intermound areas. This work provides a case study of carbonate reservoirs in which Komia wackestones and packstones are the major reservoir rocks.