Investigating Multiphase Flow in Shales by Measuring Relative Permeabilities for Sustainable Hydrocarbon Recovery

通过测量相对渗透率研究页岩中的多相流以实现可持续碳氢化合物采收

基本信息

批准号：
RGPIN-2020-05376
负责人：
Dehghanpour, Hassan
金额：
$ 2.4万
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=716875
关键词：
Investigating Multiphase Flow Shales Measuring

项目摘要

The proposed research program will develop novel laboratory and mathematical techniques to study and model phase distribution at the pore-scale, phase relative permeability (flow conductance) at the core scale, and multi-phase production rate at the field scale of shale reservoirs. In nature, shales serve as i) source rocks generating hydrocarbon; ii) reservoir rocks self-generating and producing hydrocarbon, and iii) cap rocks sealing conventional reservoir rocks or underground storage sites. Understanding the physics of multiphase flow in shales is the key for modelling primary hydrocarbon migration from source to reservoir rocks, storing greenhouse gases and waste materials in overlying shales, and producing hydrocarbon from shale reservoirs. Currently there is no laboratory protocol for measuring relative permeability of shales mainly because of their extremely low porosity and permeability and complex pore structure. The research will be conducted in two complementary experimental and modelling phases. In the first part of Phase A, size distributions of hydrophilic and hydrophobic pores of various Canadian shale samples will be characterized by 1) analyzing scanning electron microscopy images and 2) by measuring and analyzing phase imbibition, melting, freezing, and vapor condensation in core samples. Then, a series of special coreflooding tests will be conducted to measure phase relative permeability under ultra-low flowrate and under different saturation conditions achieved by controlling liquid imbibition time, vapor pressure, or core temperature. The measured data of Phase A, will be mathematically analyzed in Phase B, to simulate mixed-wet pore networks representing hydrophobic and hydrophilic pores of the shale samples. Then, we will simulate the flow of oleic, aqueous, and gaseous phases through the pore networks to calculate the relative permeability curves and compare them with those measured in Phase A. The measured and modelled data will be used to evaluate, predict, and optimize the performance of field-scale shale-development projects. The results of this research program, which will be conducted by 3 PhD and 2 MSc students, will develop an improved understanding of complex dynamic phenomena occurring during simultaneous flow of water, oil, and gas in organic shales. In addition to the scientific impacts, this research will help the oil industry estimate the amount of oil remaining in shale reservoirs after the operations and develop complementary techniques for recovering the remaining oil. Predicting and extending the economic life of shale and tight oil projects is important strategically since there are many stimulated tight unconventional reservoirs in Canada containing a significant amount of residual oil. This will potentially reduce the need to drill more wells. Therefore, the outcomes of this research will help the industry indirectly to reduce the cost and environmental impacts per barrel of oil produced.

拟议的研究计划将开发新颖的实验室和数学技术，以在孔口尺度上研究和模拟相位分布，相对渗透率（流量电导率（流量）在核心尺度上以及页岩储层的田间尺度上的多相生产率。在自然界中，页岩充当I）产生碳氢化合物的源岩石； ii）储层岩石自生和产生碳氢化合物，以及iii）盖岩石密封传统的储层岩石或地下储藏点。了解页岩中多相流的物理学是对主要烃迁移到储层岩石，将温室气体和废料存储在上覆的页岩中，并从页岩储层中产生碳氢化合物的关键。当前，没有实验室方案来测量页岩的相对渗透性，主要是因为它们的孔隙率极低，渗透性和复杂的孔结构。该研究将在两个互补的实验阶段进行。在A阶段A的第一部分中，各种加拿大页岩样品的亲水性和疏水性孔的尺寸分布将以1）为1）分析扫描电子显微镜图像以及2）通过测量和分析核心样品中的相位吸收，熔化，冷冻和蒸气的方法来分析和分析相的吸收，熔化，冷冻和蒸气。然后，将进行一系列特殊的核心供血测试，以测量超低流量和通过控制液体吸收时间，蒸气压或核心温度而达到的不同饱和条件下相对相对渗透性。 A期A的测量数据将在B期中进行数学分析，以模拟代表页岩样品的疏水性和亲水性孔的混合润湿孔网络。然后，我们将模拟通过孔网络的油酸，水相和气态相的流动，以计算相对渗透率曲线，并将它们与第A相中测量的曲线进行比较，以评估，预测和优化现场尺度的页岩式开发项目的性能。该研究计划的结果将由3位博士学位和2名MSC学生进行，将对有机页岩中水，油和天然气的同时流动期间对复杂的动态现象产生增进的了解。除了科学的影响外，这项研究还将帮助石油行业估计操作后页岩储层中剩余的石油量，并开发用于恢复剩余石油的补充技术。从战略上讲，预测和延长页岩和紧密石油项目的经济寿命至关重要，因为加拿大有许多刺激的非常规的非常规的储层，其中包含大量残余石油。这可能会减少钻更多的井的需求。因此，这项研究的结果将间接帮助该行业降低每桶石油生产的成本和环境影响。