Multi-scale Image-Based Pore Space Characterisation and Pore Network Generation

TY - JOUR

T1 - Multi-scale Image-Based Pore Space Characterisation and Pore Network Generation

T2 - Case Study of a North Sea Sandstone Reservoir

AU - Scott, Gilbert

AU - Wu, Kejian

AU - Zhou, Yingfang

N1 - The authors would like to thank Anasuria Operating Company Ltd (AOC) for making available the rock samples for analysis. SEM imaging was performed at the University of Aberdeen Centre for Electron Microscopy, Analysis and Characterisation (ACEMAC). We would like to thank John Still for invaluable assistance in the SEM imaging work. The authors acknowledge the very helpful comments from three anonymous reviewers

PY - 2019/9

Y1 - 2019/9

N2 - In this paper we examine the pore space geometry and topology of a North Sea sandstone reservoir rock based on multi-scale scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The reservoir was subjected to extensive diagenesis which has resulted in a complex pore space with a wide range in pore sizes. We quantify the pore size and pore coordination number distributions and we find that the mean and standard deviation of the coordination number are power law functions of pore radius, where the scaling exponent varies from 0.3 to 0.5. We present a 2D stochastic algorithm to generate a pore network based on statistical information. The algorithm incorporates the concept of a weighted planar stochastic lattice which is a construction that naturally leads to scale-free character with power law behaviour. We validate the algorithm against SEM imaging by showing that it can reproduce the observed clustering and a realistic spatial distribution of pore space elements. We also try to explore the relationship between fluid flow properties of reservoir rock and 2D pore image features.

AB - In this paper we examine the pore space geometry and topology of a North Sea sandstone reservoir rock based on multi-scale scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The reservoir was subjected to extensive diagenesis which has resulted in a complex pore space with a wide range in pore sizes. We quantify the pore size and pore coordination number distributions and we find that the mean and standard deviation of the coordination number are power law functions of pore radius, where the scaling exponent varies from 0.3 to 0.5. We present a 2D stochastic algorithm to generate a pore network based on statistical information. The algorithm incorporates the concept of a weighted planar stochastic lattice which is a construction that naturally leads to scale-free character with power law behaviour. We validate the algorithm against SEM imaging by showing that it can reproduce the observed clustering and a realistic spatial distribution of pore space elements. We also try to explore the relationship between fluid flow properties of reservoir rock and 2D pore image features.

KW - porous media

KW - pore network

KW - SEM imaging

KW - multi-scale

KW - Porous media

KW - Pore network

KW - Multi-scale

UR - http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11242-019-01309-8

UR - http://www.mendeley.com/research/multiscale-imagebased-pore-space-characterisation-pore-network-generation-case-study-north-sea-sands

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85070688321&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1007/s11242-019-01309-8

DO - 10.1007/s11242-019-01309-8

M3 - Article

VL - 129

SP - 855

EP - 884

JO - Transport in Porous Media

JF - Transport in Porous Media

SN - 0169-3913

IS - 3

ER -