Using 3D Printed Reservoir Rock Analogs to Validate Numerical Models

使用 3D 打印的储层岩石模拟来验证数值模型

• 批准号: RGPIN-2016-06763
• 负责人: Chalaturnyk, Richard
• 金额: $ 2.26万
• 依托单位: University of Alberta
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2020-01-01 至 2021-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=710390
• 关键词: Using; 3D; Printed; Reservoir; Rock

Canada's natural resource industries access energy sources such as oil sands, coal, bitumen carbonates and shales through in situ processes (e.g. horizontal drilling). During these operations, changes in pressure and temperature affect the earth structures (caprock) that seal and contain the energy sources, which could compromise the safety of the operation and surrounding environment. For example, in 2010, the caprock seal of an operating steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) project on a shallow oil sands reservoir was dramatically ruptured, resulting in a large explosion and the creation of a 75 m x 125 m surface crater in the area. In 2014, another steam extraction-based operation had a breach in the caprock seal, resulting in bitumen seepage to the surface. Energy regulators and industry operators rely on computer simulations/numerical models and field observations to prevent caprock failure. However, current computer models failed to predict these failure cases, highlighting the need to validate and improve existing numerical tools in the laboratory. The proposed research will use novel 3D printing technology to create large-scale synthetic rocks out of sand to study the fundamental geological behaviour of analogue caprock under various high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) scenarios. Synthetic rocks will be built to specification (i.e. to replicate the caprock's cracks and faults) to ensure the samples are identical to the actual field caprock prior to HPHT testing. Computer model predictions are run simultaneously during the testing. The physical test results are compared to the model's predictions to validate the model's accuracy. From this testing, the maximum operating pressure for the caprock can be determined; this operating pressure dictates what level of pressure is safe during recovery operations as well as the optimal level of pressure to apply to increase resource recovery. The proposed research will enhance the efficient and safe operation of energy recovery projects and assist in improving reservoir surveillance techniques and production optimization activities. University of Alberta (UA) researchers, industry operators and energy regulators will better understand the failure mechanics of caprocks (i.e. the processes that lead to rupturing). UA researchers will also improve existing computer models and/or develop superior models for industry and regulator use to optimize the safe, economic and environmentally sustainable recovery of energy resources in Canada.

加拿大的自然资源行业可以通过原位过程（例如水平钻探）来获取油砂，煤炭，沥青碳酸盐和页岩等能源。在这些操作过程中，压力和温度的变化会影响密封并包含能源的地球结构（Caprock），这可能会损害操作和周围环境的安全性。例如，在2010年，在浅油砂储层上的操作蒸汽辅助重力排水（SAGD）项目的Caprock密封发生了巨大破裂，从而导致大型爆炸，并在该地区建立了75 m x 125 m的表面轨道箱。 2014年，另一个基于蒸汽提取的操作在Caprock密封件中遭到破坏，从而导致表面沥青渗漏。 能源调节器和行业运营商依靠计算机模拟/数值模型和现场观测来防止盖岩故障。但是，当前的计算机模型未能预测这些故障案例，强调需要验证和改善实验室中现有的数值工具。拟议的研究将使用新颖的3D打印技术来创建用沙子的大规模合成岩石，以研究在各种高压高温（HPHT）场景下模拟Caprock的基本地质行为。合成岩石将用于规格（即复制Caprock的裂纹和故障），以确保样品在HPHT测试之前与实际场Caprock相同。计算机模型预测在测试期间同时运行。将物理测试结果与模型的预测进行了比较，以验证模型的准确性。通过此测试，可以确定Caprock的最大工作压力；这种操作压力决定了在恢复操作过程中哪种压力是安全的，以及用于增加资源回收的最佳压力水平。 拟议的研究将增强能源回收项目的有效和安全运行，并帮助改善储层监视技术和生产优化活动。艾伯塔省大学（UA）的研究人员，行业运营商和能源监管机构将更好地了解Caprocks的失败机制（即导致破裂的过程）。 UA研究人员还将改善现有的计算机模型和/或开发用于行业和监管机构使用的卓越模型，以优化加拿大能源的安全，经济和环境可持续的回收。