Digital Rock Modeling via Segmentation and Nesting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital rock models struggle to resolve micro-pore structure due to limitations in measurement scale, which hinders the accurate representation of rock properties and simulation of physical and chemical processes.
Innovation Solution
The method involves assigning macro-scale rock property values to grid cells in a digital rock model, generating high-resolution images of rock material segments to establish relationships between rock properties, and computing effective values of properties not resolved at the macro-scale using Darcy-like solvers, allowing for non-destructive experiments and fluid/solid substitution simulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If macro-scale measurements are used to construct digital rock models, then the measurement coverage and representativeness are improved, but the resolution of micro-pore structure deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The digital rock model is divided into multiple digital rock portions, each corresponding to a specific rock material segment. High-resolution images are acquired for representative portions of each segment, allowing micro-pore structure resolution at the segment level while maintaining macro-scale coverage through the aggregated model.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a multi-scale nested structure where high-resolution micro-pore images are embedded within the macro-scale digital rock model. The micro-pore scale information is nested within representative portions, which are then integrated into the overall macro-scale model, enabling both scales to coexist.
2Measurement precision
If high-resolution images are acquired for all rock material segments, then the micro-pore structure resolution is improved, but the data acquisition time and resources deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly acquiring high-resolution images for all segments, the patent applies high-resolution imaging only to representative portions of each rock material segment. This local approach ensures micro-pore structure resolution is achieved where needed while minimizing overall data acquisition time and resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent acquires high-resolution images for only a representative portion of each rock material segment rather than the entire segment. This partial action is sufficient to capture the essential micro-pore structure characteristics needed for modeling, avoiding the excessive time and resources that would be required for complete segment imaging.
Data Source
AI summary
A rock modeling method is disclosed. An effective rock property of a rock sample is determined based on a digital rock. Instead of upscaling rock properties, the digital rock is constructed by upscaling relationships and rock physics models of segmented rock materials. Relationships between different scalar, elastic, and petrophysical properties of different segmented rock materials are established at the high-resolution scale where the pore structure is resolved. These relationships are then applied to the same rock material at the macro-scale. Finally, the effective rock properties are computed using Darcy-like solver to get the final values at a representative rock volume. Embodiments allow for performing non-destructive fluid/solid substitution and other reproducible digital experiments to study control factors that affect these relationships within rocks. Accordingly, for unconventional reservoirs, organic matter porosity can be filled with organic matter (kerogen) to build a rock physics model based on kerogen maturity and pore size.