New Concepts for Karst Architecture in Carbonate Reservoirs: Insights from San Salvador Island Bahamas

Summary Excess permeability in carbonate reservoirs is often associated with the presence of karst features such as vugs, and caves. Understanding the processes controlling the formation of these non-matrix features is critical for predicting their distributions and provides context for assigning them petrophysical properties. In this study, we investigate the factors controlling the formation of vuggy and cavernous porosity in San Salvador Island Bahamas. We use field observations, airborne LiDAR, cores, image logs, temperature profiles, and core plug data to characterize non-matrix pore types. Our analysis results in new concepts for vug and cave formation linked to the position of aquifers which are ephemerally perched on low permeability exposure surfaces.