Abstract
Microcomputed tomography (μCT) and Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM) simulations were applied to continental carbonates to quantify fluid flow. Fluid flow characteristics in these complex carbonates with multiscale pore networks are unique and the applied method allows studying their heterogeneity and anisotropy. 3D pore network models were introduced to single-phase flow simulations in Palabos, a software tool for particle-based modelling of classic computational fluid dynamics. In addition, permeability simulations were also performed on rock models generated with multiple-point geostatistics (MPS). This allowed assessing the applicability of MPS in upscaling high-resolution porosity patterns into large rock models that exceed the volume limitations of the μCT. Porosity and tortuosity control fluid flow in these porous media. Micro-and mesopores influence flow properties at larger scales in continental carbonates. Upscaling with MPS is therefore necessary to overcome volume-resolution problems of CT scanning equipment. Thepresented LBM-MPS workflowis applicable to other lithologies, comprising different pore types, shapes, and pore networks altogether. The lack of straightforward porosity-permeability relationships in complex carbonates highlights the necessity for a 3D approach. 3D fluid flow studies provide the best understanding of flow through porous media, which is of crucial importance in reservoir modelling.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 7240524 |
| Journal | Geofluids |
| Volume | 2017 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2017 |
Funding
The authors thank the owners and managers of the respective quarries for allowing them to work in actively excavated environments, which provided insight into the 3D pore networks of the continental carbonate rocks. They would like to thank Herman Nijs for aiding in practical matters during the sample preparation processes. The authors would like to acknowledge the Hercules Foundation (Flanders) for founding the micro-and nano-CT project for the hierarchical analysis of materials. J. Soete was funded by a Ph.D. grant from “Agentschap voor Innovatie door Wetenschap en Tech-nologie” (IWT), Flanders, Belgium. Last but not least, they wouldliketothankProfessor Mehmet Özkul and Sándor Kele for their help and the interesting discussions during the field trips in Turkey and Hungary.