Digitalcore’s innovative technology including its patented registration process – VoxelPerfectTM allows imaging of in-situ state core or laboratory flooding under varying conditions. Visualisation of the pore scale distribution of residual oil then allows estimation of relative permeability properties from image data. Network modeling studies can then be calibrated to the image data allowing predications under varying rates and wettability states.

3D Image-based SCAL Analysis

• In situ imaging of remaining oil/gas saturations at pore scale:
• Sensitivity Studies: e.g. Variable flooding parameters including rate dependencies, initial water saturations
• Variable flooding fluids
• Wettability studies
• Residual saturations and relative permeabilities
• Coupling of pore structure/rock type to waterflood behaviour
• Pore scale habitat of residual oil/gas
• microscopic distribution within the pore space of a reservoir rock
• indicative of recovery mechanisms
• crucial for the design and implementation of enhanced oil recovery processes

 

Imaging of residual oil within a carbonate and a clastic. Click to enlarge

 

3D network based SCAL analysis

• Pore network modelling of multiphase flow
• Sensitivity studies: e.g. Wettability, flooding rate
• Direct coupling to in situ image based analysis

Digitalcore utilises high-end computing software and leading edge hardware equipment to undertake network-based SCAL analysis.  Recent technical references can be viewed under Publications.

 

3D Visualization of an Oomoldic reservoir carbonate; yellow shows the dry pores. The sample undergoes centrifugal drainage to a pore size of ~3 microns; given in red is the drained pores.

 

3D image registration of a dry and wet (waterflooded) reservoir carbonate sample. The darker regions in the wet image show where the residual non-wetting fluid lies. Using image registration, we are able to observe, and ultimately enumerate for, regions of remaining oil/gas saturation at the pore scale

 

Residual non-wetting phase visualized at the end of a waterflood in Fontainebleau sandstone.