New Approach in Analytical Workflow to Accurately Characterize Heterogeneous Carbonates Using Non-Destructive Tracers

Abstract

The main goal of this research is to compare and understand the efficiency of the numerical methods by comparing them with experimental data obtained from coreflood non-destructive tracer experiments on 6 different carbonate cores. Commercial simulation software is used to compare the numerical and experimental tracer concentration profiles and identifying the influencing parameters for history matching.

Six different types of carbonate cores 6 in.-length and 1.5 in. - diameter were obtained from different outcrop cores, with varying pore scale heterogeneity. 8 wt% potassium chloride (KCl) will be used as the non-destructive tracer in all the experiments. After characterizing the carbonates and tracer used in the experiments using standard coreflood procedures, concentration profiles were plotted against time (pore volume tracer injected). Computed tomography (CT) scan was performed on the core samples and single porosity based on the scans was used in the simulation studies. Detailed history matching and sensitivity studies have been carried out thoroughly via commercial simulator, to validate the experimental data and create an accurate model for further analysis.

The ultimate goal of this proposed research is to devise a new analytical workflow to analyze and interpret the effect of heterogeneity in the carbonates using non-destructive tracers and a numerical simulator.