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Virtual permeametry on microtomographic images

by
Christoph H. Arns and Mark A. Knackstedt
Department of Applied Mathematics
Australian National University
Canberra ACT 0200 AUSTRALIA

W. Val Pinczewski
School of Petroleum Engineering
University of New South Wales
Sydney NSW 2052 AUSTRALIA

and

Nicos S. Martys
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899 USA

Abstract

We show that accurate numerical micropermeametry measurements can be performed on three-dimensional (3D) digitized images of sedimentary rock. The sample size can be very small, making it possible to predict properties from core material not suited for laboratory testing (e.g., drill cuttings, sidewall core and damaged core plugs). Simulation of fluid permeability on microtomographic images of Fontainebleau sandstone on sample sizes of less than 1 mm³ are in good agreement with experimental measurements over a wide range of porosities.

Keywords: Porous media; X-ray-CT; Permeability; Fontainebleau

• Introduction
• Methodology
• Image acquisition
• Numerical simulation and error analysis
• Results
• Conclusion
• Acknowledgements
• References