Pore types are defined as collections or groups of micro- and macropores that may have different origins. These groups, which are linked to the paragenetic sequence, form characteristic assemblages that occur repeatedly in slope and platform settings. Pore types are classified based on the amount, distribution, and connectivity of micro- and macropores.

Laser-scanning confocal microscopy, which generates images of pores as small as 0.2 µm in diameter, provides an effective tool to visualize and quantify micropores (i.e., pores with pore diameter ≤ 10 µm). Confocal microscopy, combined with transmitted-light (TL) petrography, routine core analyses (RCA), and mercury injection capillary pressure (MICP) data, were used to designate 5 pore types, which include micropore-dominated, macropore-dominated, and mixed micro- and macropore-bearing rocks with variable degrees of connectivity.

This approach, which offers a new way to define complex pore families that correlate to reservoir-property groups, applies to any carbonate reservoir. This integrated petrographic and petrophysical classification links pore-body (confocal and TL) and pore-throat (MICP) size distributions. Future work includes prediction of pore types from logs and development of strategies for spatial distribution of pore types between wells in full-field geologic models.