Characterizing Disproportionate Permeability Reduction Using Synchrotron X-Ray Computed Microtomography

Seright, R.S.; Liang, J.; Lindquist, W.; Dunsmuir, J. H.

doi:10.2523/71508-ms

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…This is in agreement with the estimated effect of compaction on the pore size distribution derived from changes in the water retention curve (Assouline, 2006a). The results observed in this study agree with findings between soil porosity and pore size distribution relationships in previously published data (Lindquist et al, 2000;Seright et al, 2001;Udawatta et al, 2008). Although differences in pore volume and radii may exist among treatments, the effects may be somewhat less dominant due to fewer aggregates (due to sandy texture) and/or few inter-aggregate spaces (due to sandy texture).…”

Section: Effective Pore Radii and Volumesupporting

confidence: 91%

“…The 3-DMA software uses throat-finding algorithms (Venkatarangan, 2000;Shin et al, 2002) to determine the location of minimal-area cross-sectional surfaces where one or more void paths pass, called pore throats (Kwiecien et al, 1990). The throat region is defined by the voxel sets through which each triangulated throat surface pass, and throat surface areas are determined as triangulated interfaces.…”

Section: Image Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

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Synchrotron microtomographic quantification of geometrical soil pore characteristics affected by compaction

Udawatta

Gantzer

Anderson

et al. 2015

Preprint

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Abstract. Soil compaction degrades soil structure and affects water, heat, and gas exchange as well as root penetration and crop production. The objective of this study was to use X-ray computed microtomography (CMT) techniques to compare differences in geometrical soil pore parameters as influenced by compaction of two different aggregate size classes. Sieved (diam. < 2 mm and < 0.5 mm) and repacked (1.51 and 1.72 Mg m−3) Hamra soil cores of 5- by 5 mm (average porosities were 0.44 and 0.35) were imaged at 9.6-micrometer resolution at the Argonne Advanced Photon Source (synchrotron facility) using X-ray computed microtomography. Images of 58.9 mm3 volume were analyzed using 3-Dimensional Medial Axis (3DMA) software. Geometrical characteristics of the spatial distributions of pore structures (pore radii, volume, connectivity, path length, and tortuosity) were numerically investigated. Results show that the coordination number (CN) distribution and path length (PL) measured from the medial axis were reasonably fit by exponential relationships P(CN) = 10-CN/Co and P(PL) = 10-PL/PLo, respectively, where Co and PLo are the corresponding characteristic constants. Compaction reduced porosity, average pore size, number of pores, and characteristic constants. The average pore radii (63.7 and 61 μm; p < 0.04), largest pore volume (1.58 and 0.58 mm3; p = 0.06), number of pores (55 and 50; p = 0.09), characteristic coordination number (6.32 and 5.94; p = 0.09), and characteristic path length number (116 and 105; p = 0.001) were significantly greater in the low density than the high density treatment. Aggregate size also influenced measured geometrical pore parameters. This analytical technique provides a tool for assessing changes in soil pores that affect hydraulic properties and thereby provides information to assist in assessment of soil management systems.

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Section: Effective Pore Radii and Volumesupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Image Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Synchrotron microtomographic quantification of geometrical soil pore characteristics affected by compaction

Udawatta

Gantzer

Anderson

et al. 2015

Preprint

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Lessons Learned From Relative Permeability Modifications in Colombia, South America

Pinto

Gutierrez

2009

Latin American and Caribbean Petroleum Engineering Conference

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Description This paper discusses well-interventions in Colombia that use a new generation of polymeric selective-water-reduction (SWR) product for selected candidates, treatment definition, differences of composition, radius of penetration, stages according to formation petro-physical properties, and well-productivity response in the short and long term. The evolution and improvements in technology over the past five years and its application in Colombia will also be discussed. Previous papers have presented databases with information from interventions around the world, including case histories from Colombia (Dalrymple et al. 2007). This paper will focus on more detailed information for selection, treatment, and operational procedures in Colombian fields. Application There are hydrocarbon-producing formations in Colombia that have productivity limitations because of their high relative-permeability to water. This condition has generated increased tendencies to water-coning, historical and gradual water cut increases, and promoted a negative impact during the productive well life. This technological application includes new perforated wells (which are characterized for a potential rapid water-coning based on the geographical area or the formation) or producing wells in mature fields where the intervention still presents economical benefits. Information will be presented from wells with zones covering mid-to-high permeability, clean sandstones, and argillaceous sandstones at temperatures ranging from 125 to 250°F. Results, Observations, and Conclusions There are records of successful treatments, allowing for a reduction in the water to oil ratio, with increased productivity which has been maintained for more than three years. It has been possible to identify benefits from the technology, its evolution, and improvements during recent years. However, candidate-selection criteria have been continuously adjusted, which has generated more successful cases. Significance of Subject Matter Selective water reduction (SWR) is a viable technology with an extensive history of applications worldwide, and its usage has increased during the last five years in the productive basins of Colombia. A strong, continuous improvement effort has been in place for better reservoir characterization, understanding of water-production mechanisms, laboratory protocols, candidate selection, treatment design (volume estimation, placement techniques), and treatment follow-up. Introduction The SWR treatment is a confirmed technical, operational, and economical water-management option because it can be bullheaded into open intervals without isolation of water zones from hydrocarbon zones. The productive lives of many wells have been extended, which has resulted in high potential-profitability value for mature fields with high water cut.

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Evaluation of the Effect of Oil Viscosity on the Disproportionate Permeability Reduction of a Polymeric Gel Used for Controlling Excess Water Production

Paez

Rauseo

Reyna

et al. 2009

Latin American and Caribbean Petroleum Engineering Conference

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The property by which polymeric gels reduce water permeability in larger proportion than oil permeability is known as disproportionate permeability reduction (DPR). This phenomenon is believed to be the result of preferential blockage of water pore channels combined with the exclusive capacity of oil to deform the gel. This property represents an opportunity to successfully control water production, regardless the cause of the excess water inflow or the type of well completion. For this reason, many investigations intended to understand and improve DPR have been carried out. The relationship between DPR and parameters such as rock permeability, wettability and flow rate has been widely described. Nevertheless, no efforts have been made yet to evaluate the influence of oil viscosity. Considering the importance of heavy oil production for Venezuelan oil industry, as well as the growing impact of excess water production in these reservoirs, an experimental study was carried out to evaluate how DPR is affected by oil viscosity. Four coreflood experiments were carried out in high-permeability Berea cores to measure oil and water permeability before and after gel placement. In the first three tests, DPR was determined using oil with viscosities of 1.8; 67 and 140 cp. The last test consisted on sequentially measure the permeability of each of the oils when flowing through the same fully gel-saturated Berea core. Experimental results indicate that DPR improves as oil viscosity increases because 1) oil viscosity affects gel placement favouring selective plugging of water channels; and 2) the more viscous the oil, the larger the deformation of the gel, thus the easier for the oil to open a channel through it. According to this, a large potential of controlling excess water production in viscous oil reservoirs through gel technology application was established. Introduction In most of cases, as reservoirs reach maturity a steady increase in water production occurs. Production costs relative to lifting, treatment and disposal increases accordingly. However, the largest impact of excess water production is the accelerated decline in oil production caused by oil bypassing, which shortens productive lifetime of wells and affects the ultimate recovery of the reservoir. This situation becomes more severe as the oil-to-water viscosity ratio increases, because of the implied reduction in displacement efficiency. Nowadays, the water cut of those viscous oil reservoirs with larger production history in Venezuela can be as high as 65% and approximately 500 wells from these fields are currently shut-in because of high water production. Many of these wells are horizontal, therefore zonal isolation interventions are limited by the complexity and risk involved in such well completions; instead sidetracks and new wells are drilled.

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Characterizing Disproportionate Permeability Reduction Using Synchrotron X-Ray Computed Microtomography

Cited by 5 publications

References 20 publications

Synchrotron microtomographic quantification of geometrical soil pore characteristics affected by compaction

Synchrotron microtomographic quantification of geometrical soil pore characteristics affected by compaction

Lessons Learned From Relative Permeability Modifications in Colombia, South America

Evaluation of the Effect of Oil Viscosity on the Disproportionate Permeability Reduction of a Polymeric Gel Used for Controlling Excess Water Production

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