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Sonic velocities of Pleistocene travertines were measured under variable confining pressures. Combined with petrographical characteristics and petrophysical data, i.e. porosity, permeability and density, it was determined that travertine porosity, pore types and cementation control compressional-wave ( V p ) and shear-wave velocity ( V s ). At 40 MPa confining pressures, V p ranges between 3695 and 6097 m/s and V s between 2037 and 3140 m/s. Velocity variations in travertines are, as with all carbonates, primarily linked to sample heterogeneity, i.e. differences in fabric, texture and porosity. They thus not necessarily emanate from changes in mineralogy or composition. Body wave velocities have a positive correlation with sample density and an inverse correlation with porosity. The travertines, sampled in extensional settings with normal faulting activity, define a specific compressional-wave velocity ( y -axis) versus porosity ( x -axis) equation, i.e. (log( y ) = −0.0048 x + 3.7844) that differs from the V p -porosity paths defined by marine carbonates. Acoustic wave velocities are higher for travertines than for marine carbonates. Travertine precipitates form rigid rock frames, often called framestone, with large primary pores. Marine carbonates on the other hand often consist of (cemented) transported sediments, resulting in a rock frame that permits slower wave propagation when compared to the continental limestones. Acoustic velocity variations are linked to variations in pore types. Mouldic pores (macropores) show faster wave propagation than expected from their total porosities. Microporosity, interlaminar and interpeloidal porosity result in slower acoustic velocities. Framework pores and micro-moulds are associated with lowered acoustic velocities, while vug porosity is found above, on and below the general velocity-porosity trend. Not only the pore type, but also pore shapes exert control on body wave velocities. Cuboid-and rod-like pore shapes increase the velocity, while plate-and blade-like pore shapes have a negative effect on the velocity. The study demonstrates how seismic sections in travertine systems can contain seismic reflections that are not caused by non-carbonate intercalations, but relate to geobody boundaries, in which the seismic expression is function of porosity, pore types and shapes. This study provides and relates petrophysical data, i.e. porosity, permeability and acoustic velocities of travertines and is of importance for the interpretation of seismic reflection data in subsurface continental carbonate reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subsurface Pre-salt Lower Cretaceous reservoir systems encountered offshore Brazil and Angola that consist of porous continental carbonates are difficult to access because of the limited core material that is under concession. Therefore, it is important to study comparable continental carbonate analogues, such as travertines and lacustrine carbonates, that potentially possess similar porosity and permeability characteristics. The Budakalász Pleistocene travertines (Buda Hills, Hungary) have been studied from a sedimentological, geochemical and reservoir properties point of view in order to understand their formation, petrophysical properties and 3D reservoir architecture. The three-dimensional geobody architecture of the Budakalász travertines illustrates the potential complexity of kilometre scale continental carbonate systems. Heterogeneous low angle sloping travertine lobes consisting of terrace slope, smooth slope and reed facies, are covered by a lime mudstone dominated, gastropod- and charophyte-rich marsh-pool facies. The observed facies represent a change from a subaerial travertine to a palustrine to lacustrine system, reflecting the ceasing of the system due to tectonic uplift. The dominant paleo-flow direction of the sloping lobes was towards the Danube depression, with several subordinate flow systems identified. The Sr C O isotope geochemical signatures reflect travertine precipitation at ambient to superambient temperatures from meteoric derived fluids with a mixed CO 2 origin of the marine carbonate substrate rocks, a potential atmospheric and a soil-derived component. Although the uniform signatures of the stable oxygen and carbon isotopes, in addition to petrographic observations suggest partial diagenetic isotopic resetting, the primary isotope trends seem to have been preserved. A reservoir-oriented facies evaluation in the three-dimensional geobody frame of the Budakalász carbonates based on porosity and permeability core plug analyses reveals their heterogeneous nature. Terrace, smooth slope and marsh-pool facies have considerable porosities of 5–15%, while the porosity of the reed facies may reach up to 27%. Permeability of all facies is strongly anisotropic, mainly controlled by a better connectivity along layer-parallel primary pores. The reconstruction of the 3D geobody architecture of the Budakalász lobe complex coupled to its geochemical and petrophysical properties provides a unique dataset that contributes in understanding fossil travertine systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]