3D image-based characterization of fluid displacement in a Berea core

M. Prodanović, W.B. Lindquist, R.S. Seright

Abstract

3D pore-scale characterization using synchrotron X-ray computed microtomography combined with X-ray attenuating dopants provides pore network characterization and fluid displacement data in a Berea core. Results cover pore volume, surface area, throat dimensions, and Lattice Boltzmann-computed absolute permeabilities for individual throat structures. Oil and water distributions at residual conditions are reported before and after water-based gel injection. The gel caused oil trapping (higher residual oil saturation after gel), and results provide supporting evidence for gel compaction (dehydration) and oil trapping as contributors to DPR, while discounting gel blockage in throats as a mechanism. Published in Advances in Water Resources.

Key Takeaways

  • 3D pore network characterization using XMT with X-ray attenuating dopants provides quantitative distributions of pore volume, surface area, throat dimensions, and coordination number — establishing a geometric baseline for fluid displacement modeling in Berea sandstone.
  • Lattice Boltzmann computation of absolute permeabilities for individual throat structures reconstructed from XMT images validates the pore-scale characterization method against macroscale permeability measurements.
  • After water-based gel injection, residual oil saturation increased substantially — confirming the oil trapping mechanism as a primary contributor to DPR in Berea sandstone, consistent with the 2003 XMT study.
  • Gel compaction (dehydration) is supported as a contributing DPR mechanism — gel volumes in individual pores decrease after oil flooding, consistent with oil dehydrating the gel and creating flow pathways.
  • Gel blockage in pore throats is discounted as a primary mechanism — gel does not appear to preferentially accumulate in throats rather than pore bodies, suggesting the throat-bridging model is not the dominant explanation for DPR.
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