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Reservoir Condition Pore-scale Imaging of Multiple Fluid Phases Using X-ray Microtomography
Published on: February 25, 2015
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Multiscale and multiresolution modeling of shales and their flow and morphological properties
Pejman Tahmasebi1,2, Farzam Javadpour1, Muhammad Sahimi2
1Bureau of Economic Geology, Jackson School of Geosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, 78713, Austin, TX, USA.
Scientific Reports
|November 13, 2015
Summary
This study presents a novel method to create 3D shale models from 2D images, overcoming limitations in characterizing low-permeability formations. This technique enables accurate 3D reconstruction for energy resource exploration and materials science.
Area of Science:
- Geosciences
- Materials Science
- Computational Modeling
Background:
- Shale formations are crucial for energy resources but difficult to characterize due to complex multiscale features.
- Conventional characterization methods are insufficient for low-permeability media.
- High-resolution 3D imaging is ideal but often impractical due to cost and time.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel method for reconstructing 3D models of shale formations directly from 2D images.
- To overcome the limitations of conventional characterization techniques for heterogeneous porous media.
- To demonstrate the method's general applicability to various complex materials.
Main Methods:
- A three-step, multiscale, multiresolution reconstruction approach using 2D images.
- Integration of high-resolution 2D images for nanopore network reproduction.
- Utilization of low-resolution 2D images for large-scale feature generation and stochastic realizations.
Main Results:
- Successful reconstruction of a 3D shale model using the novel method.
- Computed properties of the reconstructed model showed excellent agreement with available data.
- Demonstrated the method's effectiveness and generality through reconstructions of biological and materials science examples.
Conclusions:
- The presented method offers an accessible and effective way to generate 3D models from 2D images for complex porous media.
- This approach significantly aids in the characterization of shale formations and other heterogeneous materials.
- The technique holds potential for advancing research in energy resources and materials science.
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