Numerical simulation of pore distribution heterogeneity in carbonate rocks and its effect on acoustic anisotropy

The pore structure of carbonate rocks is both complex and highly heterogeneous. Accurately assessing acoustic anisotropy is crucial for analysing and predicting the properties of carbonate reservoirs. Numerous experimental studies have investigated the acoustic anisotropy of carbonate rocks, and various fracture detection techniques have been developed. However, these studies have not adequately addressed the impact of the nonuniform distribution of rock pore structures on acoustic anisotropy. The pore structure of computed tomography scanning images of carbonate core can be obtained by using digital image processing techniques, and a method for evaluating pore distribution heterogeneity based on the box-counting method of fractal theory was proposed. A numerical simulation of P-wave azimuthal anisotropy was conducted, and the relationship between the pore distribution heterogeneity index and acoustic anisotropy parameters was analysed. This novel evaluation method for acoustic anisotropy provides a theoretical basis for predicting parameters in carbonate reservoirs.