Three-Dimensional Rock Core-Like Microstructure Fabricated by Additive Manufacturing for Petroleum Engineering

Area of Science:

• Petroleum Engineering
• Materials Science
• Geology

Background:

• Improving oil recovery rates is crucial for the energy industry.
• Laboratory oil recovery experiments are cost-effective but rely on accurate rock core models.
• Current 3D rock core models lack reproducibility, customizability, and visualization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and manufacture a reproducible 3D rock core model for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) research.
• To create customizable and visualized rock core models using microstereolithography.
• To validate the flow characteristics of the manufactured models against natural rock cores.

Main Methods:

• Microstereolithography was employed to fabricate 3D rock core models.
• Models were designed based on the microstructures of natural rock cores.
• Oil recovery experiments and simulation studies were conducted using the manufactured models.

Main Results:

• A reproducible microsphere-accumulated rock core model was successfully manufactured.
• The model demonstrated flow characteristics similar to natural rock cores.
• Resin and hydrogel rock core models with varying properties were also created.

Conclusions:

• Microstereolithography enables the creation of effective and reproducible rock core models.
• These customizable models enhance the credibility and scope of oil recovery research.
• The developed technology offers a valuable tool for laboratory-based EOR studies.