Multiphase flow predictions from carbonate pore space images using extracted network models

Abstract

A methodology to extract networks from pore space images is used to make predictions of multiphase transport properties for subsurface carbonate samples. The extraction of the network model is based on the computation of the location and sizes of pores and throats to create a topological representation of the void space of three‐dimensional (3‐D) rock images, using the concept of maximal balls. In this work, we follow a multistaged workflow. We start with a 2‐D thin‐section image; convert it statistically into a 3‐D representation of the pore space; extract a network model from this image; and finally, simulate primary drainage, waterflooding, and secondary drainage flow processes using a pore‐scale simulator. We test this workflow for a reservoir carbonate rock. The network‐predicted absolute permeability is similar to the core plug measured value and the value computed on the 3‐D void space image using the lattice Boltzmann method. The predicted capillary pressure during primary drainage agrees well with a mercury‐air experiment on a core sample, indicating that we have an adequate representation of the rock's pore structure. We adjust the contact angles in the network to match the measured waterflood and secondary drainage capillary pressures. We infer a significant degree of contact angle hysteresis. We then predict relative permeabilities for primary drainage, waterflooding, and secondary drainage that agree well with laboratory measured values. This approach can be used to predict multiphase transport properties when wettability and pore structure vary in a reservoir, where experimental data is scant or missing. There are shortfalls to this approach, however. We compare results from three networks, one of which was derived from a section of the rock containing vugs. Our method fails to predict properties reliably when an unrepresentative image is processed to construct the 3‐D network model. This occurs when the image volume is not sufficient to represent the geological variations observed in a core plug sample.