Investigation of multiphase fluid imbibition in shale through synchrotron-based dynamic micro-CT imaging

Peng, Sheng; Xiao, Xianghui

doi:10.1002/2017JB014253

Title: Investigation of multiphase fluid imbibition in shale through synchrotron-based dynamic micro-CT imaging

Journal Article · Sat Jun 17 00:00:00 EDT 2017 · Journal of Geophysical Research. Solid Earth

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/2017JB014253· OSTI ID:1477186

^[1];

^[2]

Univ. of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX (United States)
Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Lemont, IL (United States)

Abstract While substantial advances were made in pore system characterization in shale in the past decade, understanding of fundamentals of multiphase fluid flow in shale remains limited. The complexity of multiphase fluid flow in shale is related to many factors including nanoscale to submicron‐scale pore systems, differences in mineralogy and associated surface wettability, heterogeneity of these properties at different scales, and possible existence of microfractures. Previous work related to fluid flow, such as permeability measurement, spontaneous imbibition, and wettability analysis, includes many simplified assumptions/hypotheses with limited consideration of small‐scale details. In addition, these studies were mostly focused on single‐phase phenomena. Direct observation of multiphase fluid flow in shale showing small‐scale details is highly desired. In this study, dynamic imaging using synchrotron‐based micro‐CT (computed microtomography) was conducted on two shale samples to investigate multiphase (oil and water) spontaneous imbibition. The results revealed many details of multiphase flow in shale, including pore connectivity, porosity and permeability layered distribution, and wettability of microfractures and pores. At the same time, results illustrate the complexity of multiphase flow in shale and gaps in understanding that need further investigation.

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Research Organization:: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: University of Texas, Austin; USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC02-06CH11357; DE‐AC02‐06CH11357

OSTI ID:: 1477186

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1402169

Journal Information:: Journal of Geophysical Research. Solid Earth, Vol. 122, Issue 6; ISSN 2169-9313

Publisher:: American Geophysical UnionCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Cited by: 36 works

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Tracer‐Guided Characterization of Dominant Pore Networks and Implications for Permeability and Wettability in Shale Peng, Sheng; Reed, Robert M.; Xiao, Xianghui Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, Vol. 124, Issue 2 https://doi.org/10.1029/2018jb016103	journal	February 2019
Modelling shale spontaneous water intake using semi‐analytical and numerical approaches Mohammadmoradi, Peyman; Kantzas, Apostolos The Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering, Vol. 97, Issue S1 https://doi.org/10.1002/cjce.23341	journal	December 2018
Discussion of shale rock wettability and the methods to determine it Sheng, James J. Asia-Pacific Journal of Chemical Engineering, Vol. 13, Issue 6 https://doi.org/10.1002/apj.2263	journal	October 2018

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58 GEOSCIENCES
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