scholarly journals Validation of Digital Rock Physics Algorithms

Minerals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 669
Author(s):  
Rongrong Lin ◽  
Leon Thomsen

With a detailed microscopic image of a rock sample, one can determine the corresponding 3-D grain geometry, forming a basis to calculate the elastic properties numerically. The issues which arise in such a calculation include those associated with image resolution, the registration of the digital numerical grid with the digital image, and grain anisotropy. Further, there is a need to validate the numerical calculation via experiment or theory. Because of the geometrical complexity of the rock, the best theoretical test employs the Hashin–Shtrikman result that, for an aggregate of two isotropic components with equal shear moduli, the bulk modulus is uniquely determined, independent of the micro-geometry. Similarly, for an aggregate of two isotropic components with a certain combination of elastic moduli defined herein, the Hashin–Shtrikman formulae give a unique result for the shear modulus, independent of the micro-geometry. For a porous, saturated rock, the solid incompressibility may be calculated via an “unjacketed” test, independent of the micro-geometry. Any numerical algorithm proposed for digital rock physics computation should be validated by successfully confirming these theoretical predictions. Using these tests, we validate a previously published staggered-grid finite difference damped time-stepping algorithm to calculate the static properties of digital rock models.

Geophysics ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 81 (4) ◽  
pp. D465-D477 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sadegh Karimpouli ◽  
Pejman Tahmasebi

Digital rock physics (DRP) is a newly developed method based on imaging and digitizing of 3D pore and mineral structure of actual rock and numerically computing rock physical properties, such as permeability, elastic moduli, and formation factor. Modern high-resolution microcomputed tomography scanners are used for imaging, but these devices are not widely available, and 3D imaging is also costly and it is a time-consuming procedure. However, recent improvements of 3D reconstruction algorithms such as crosscorrelation-based simulation and, on the other side, the concept of rock physical trends have provided some new avenues in DRP. We have developed a modified work flow using higher order statistical methods. First, a high-resolution 2D image is divided into smaller subimages. Then, different stochastic subsamples are generated based on the provided 2D subimages. Eventually, various rock physical parameters are calculated. Using several subsamples allows extracting rock physical trends and better capturing the heterogeneity and variability. We implemented our work flow on two DRP benchmark data (Berea sandstone and Grosmont carbonate) and a thin-section image from the Grosmont carbonate formation. Results of realization models, pore network modeling, and autocorrelation functions for the real and reconstructed subsamples reveal the validity of the reconstructed models. Furthermore, the agreement between static and dynamic methods indicates that subsamples are representative volume elements. Average values of the subsamples’ properties follow the reference trends of the rock sample. Permeability trends pass the actual results of the benchmark samples; however, elastic moduli trends find higher values. The latter can be due to image resolution and voxel size, which are generated by imaging tools and reconstruction algorithms. According to the obtained results, this strategy can be introduced as a valid and accurate method where an alternative method for standard DRP is needed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 2113-2125
Author(s):  
Chenzhi Huang ◽  
Xingde Zhang ◽  
Shuang Liu ◽  
Nianyin Li ◽  
Jia Kang ◽  
...  

AbstractThe development and stimulation of oil and gas fields are inseparable from the experimental analysis of reservoir rocks. Large number of experiments, poor reservoir properties and thin reservoir thickness will lead to insufficient number of cores, which restricts the experimental evaluation effect of cores. Digital rock physics (DRP) can solve these problems well. This paper presents a rapid, simple, and practical method to establish the pore structure and lithology of DRP based on laboratory experiments. First, a core is scanned by computed tomography (CT) scanning technology, and filtering back-projection reconstruction method is used to test the core visualization. Subsequently, three-dimensional median filtering technology is used to eliminate noise signals after scanning, and the maximum interclass variance method is used to segment the rock skeleton and pore. Based on X-ray diffraction technology, the distribution of minerals in the rock core is studied by combining the processed CT scan data. The core pore size distribution is analyzed by the mercury intrusion method, and the core pore size distribution with spatial correlation is constructed by the kriging interpolation method. Based on the analysis of the core particle-size distribution by the screening method, the shape of the rock particle is assumed to be a more practical irregular polyhedron; considering this shape and the mineral distribution, the DRP pore structure and lithology are finally established. The DRP porosity calculated by MATLAB software is 32.4%, and the core porosity measured in a nuclear magnetic resonance experiment is 29.9%; thus, the accuracy of the model is validated. Further, the method of simulating the process of physical and chemical changes by using the digital core is proposed for further study.


Author(s):  
Mohammad Ebadi ◽  
Denis Orlov ◽  
Ivan Makhotin ◽  
Vladislav Krutko ◽  
Boris Belozerov ◽  
...  

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omar Alfarisi ◽  
Djamel Ouzzane ◽  
Mohamed Sassi ◽  
TieJun Zhang

<p><a></a>Each grid block in a 3D geological model requires a rock type that represents all physical and chemical properties of that block. The properties that classify rock types are lithology, permeability, and capillary pressure. Scientists and engineers determined these properties using conventional laboratory measurements, which embedded destructive methods to the sample or altered some of its properties (i.e., wettability, permeability, and porosity) because the measurements process includes sample crushing, fluid flow, or fluid saturation. Lately, Digital Rock Physics (DRT) has emerged to quantify these properties from micro-Computerized Tomography (uCT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) images. However, the literature did not attempt rock typing in a wholly digital context. We propose performing Digital Rock Typing (DRT) by: (1) integrating the latest DRP advances in a novel process that honors digital rock properties determination, while; (2) digitalizing the latest rock typing approaches in carbonate, and (3) introducing a novel carbonate rock typing process that utilizes computer vision capabilities to provide more insight about the heterogeneous carbonate rock texture.<br></p>


2021 ◽  
pp. 105008
Author(s):  
Eric J. Goldfarb ◽  
Ken Ikeda ◽  
Richard A. Ketcham ◽  
Maša Prodanović ◽  
Nicola Tisato

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