Understanding the development and characteristics of burrow fillings (BF) is crucial for predicting porosity, permeability, and fluid flow behavior in bioturbated carbonate reservoirs. Advanced imaging, digital rock modeling, and backstripping techniques offer valuable insights into this development. In this study, we examined the BF in the bioturbated strata of the Upper Jurassic Hanifa Formation (central Saudi Arabia) to understand how sedimentological and diagenetic processes—such as compaction, dolomitization, and dissolution—influence porosity and permeability over time.

Backstripping results provide significant insights into the evolution of porosity and permeability within packstone BF of the studied strata. We found that compacted, grain-supported BF exhibit limited improvement in porosity and permeability post-compaction. In contrast, less compacted intervals with open fabric BF can achieve up to 20 …