Characterization of Rock Heterogeneity Using Fractal Geometry

Abstract

Abstract There have been three main models applied to infer fractal dimensions of reservoir rock from capillary pressure curves measured by mercury intrusion. In this study, fractal dimension was used to characterize the heterogeneity of rock quantitatively. The three fractal models were derived theoretically and found to be interrelated. Capillary pressure curves of different rock samples were measured using a mercury intrusion technique. The values of fractal dimension were calculated using the three fractal models and the results were compared. The values of fractal dimension calculated from two models were almost the same and ranged from 2 to However the fractal dimensions calculated using the other model were different and ranged from 1 to 2. It was found that the Brooks-Corey capillary pressure model did not work for all of the core samples studied but the fractal models work satisfactorily in all cases. The fractal approach was verified qualitatively using frequency graphs of pore size distribution of the rock samples.