Permeability distribution and scaling in multi-stages carbonate damage zones: Insight from strike-slip fault zones in the Tarim Basin, NW China

Architecture and permeability of fault damage zones are important for understanding faulting mechanisms and fluid flow in fractured rocks. Nevertheless, this understanding is often hindered by limited availability of data, especially in the subsurface. A comprehensive suite of cores, logs and production data is here presented to unravel petrophysical properties and fracture characteristics of deep (>6000 m) Ordovician limestones within strike-slip fault zones of the Tarim intracratonic basin (NW China). The results show that (1) the carbonate porosity is mainly secondary dissolution porosity and comprises low porosity (8%); (2) fault damage zones are generally tight with fracture aperture