Analysis of heterogeneity and permeability anisotropy in carbonate rock samples using digital rock physics

摘要

The heterogeneity of a carbonate reservoir exists at all scales and always presents a challenge because it cannot be studied visually during laboratory measurements. Permeability is an important parameter and plays a key role in enhanced oil recovery operations. However, permeability anisotropy is observed at different scales of hydrocarbon production, especially in carbonate reservoirs, and complicates reservoir characterization and description. Digital rock physics (DRP) uses digitized images of reservoir rocks to compute their properties, such as porosity and directional permeability, and provide a better view of the internal structure of the rock sample, which can be used to study the heterogeneity and permeability anisotropy in carbonate rocks and reservoirs.