«Geology, geophysics and development of oil and gas fields»

3D printing capabilities to analyze artificial rock cores

UDC: 550.822.3+553.98(470.53)
DOI: 10.33285/2413-5011-2023-9(381)-19-27

Authors:

¹ Perm National Research Polytechnic University, Perm, Russia

Keywords: 3D printing, core, lithological-petrophysical properties, similarity criteria, tomography

Annotation:

Designing rational development of fields with hard-to-recover reserves requires detailed studying of rock samples that contain fluid (core). Obtaining core material is a very expensive undertaking, and each sample is essentially unique in its mineralogical, physical and chemical properties. The value of core samples is even higher in conditions of offshore field development, since, as a rule, such fields have the highest strategic potential for the development of the fuel and energy complex.

The core studying requires large-scale studies on standard, full-size samples as well as on composite core models, which with a high degree of accuracy allow simulating the natural change of reservoirs characteristics both along the geological section of the reservoir and along the radial direction. Rock samples studies are aimed at determination of reservoirs characteristics, which allow discussing the field perspectives; determining hydrophilic properties of samples, displacement coefficient and other properties, determining fluid filtration through pore channels; testing of inflow enhancement technologies, bottomhole zone treatment; testing of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods; testing of water shut-off technologies. A number of studies and testing of different EOR technologies cause the destruction or inability to reuse the core sample. To conduct the spectrum of all studies comparing technologies under unified conditions, the actual task is to "clone" core samples with detailed reproduction of particular sample reservoir properties.

The article analyzes the existing approaches by 3D printing of rocks, determines the basic criteria for samples similarity and selects typical objects of Perm Region deposits for the implementation of printing technologies.

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