Effect of gas saturation on P-wave velocity in tight sandstone

By measuring the variation of the P-and S-wave velocities of tight sandstone samples under water saturation,it was confirmed that with the decrease in water saturation,the P-wave velocity first decreased and then increased.The variation in velocity was influenced by the sandstone’s porosity.The commonly used Gassmann equation based on fluid substitution theory was studied.Comparing the calculated results with the measured data,it was found that the Gassmann equation agreed well with the measured data at high water saturation,but it could not explain the bending phenomenon of P-wave velocity at low saturation.This indicated that these equations could not accurately describe the relationship between fluid content and rock acoustic velocity.The reasons for this phenomenon were discussed through Taylor’s expansion.The coefficients of the fitting formula were calculated and verified by fitting the measured acoustic velocity changes of the cores.The relationship between P-wave velocity and saturation was discussed,which provides experimental support for calculating saturation using seismic and acoustic logging data.

Non-Darcy flow in oil accumulation (oil displacing water) and relative permeability and oil saturation characteristics of low-permeability sandstones

Hydrocarbon resources in low-permeability sandstones are very abundant and are extensively distributed. Low-permeability reservoirs show several unique characteristics, including lack of a definite trap boundary or caprock, limited buoyancy effect, complex oil-gas-water distribution, without obvious oil-gas-water interfaces, and relatively low oil （gas） saturation. Based on the simulation experiments of oil accumulation in low-permeability sandstone （oil displacing water）, we study the migration and accumulation characteristics of non-Darcy oil flow, and discuss the values and influencing factors of relative permeability which is a key parameter characterizing oil migration and accumulation in low-permeability sandstone. The results indicate that： 1） Oil migration （oil displacing water） in low- permeability sandstone shows non-Darcy percolation characteristics, and there is a threshold pressure gradient during oil migration and accumulation, which has a good negative correlation with permeability and apparent fluidity; 2） With decrease of permeability and apparent fluidity and increase of fluid viscosity, the percolation curve is closer to the pressure gradient axis and the threshold pressure gradient increases. When the apparent fluidity is more than 1.0, the percolation curve shows modified Darcy flow characteristics, while when the apparent fluidity up＂ non-Darcy percolation curve; 3） Oil-water is less than 1.0, the percolation curve is a ＂concave- two-phase relative permeability is affected by core permeability, fluid viscosity, apparent fluidity, and injection drive force; 4） The oil saturation of low- permeability sandstone reservoirs is mostly within 35%-60%, and the oil saturation also has a good positive correlation with the permeability and apparent fluidity.

Response laws of rock electrical property and saturation evaluation method of tight sandstone

To solve the problem that the law of rock electrical response under low and medium water saturation in tight sandstone reservoirs is not clear, an experimental method of high-speed centrifugal displacement rock electricity and nuclear magnetic resonance T2 spectrometry under different water saturation was proposed, which can drive the tight sandstone cores with the permeability less than 0.1×10^-3 μm^2, and provide a reliable experimental means for the study of tight sandstone electrical property. By carrying out supporting experiments such as high-resolution CT scan, MAPS and Qemscan, a multi-mineral component fine three-dimensional digital core based on multi-source information fusion was constructed. The finite element numerical simulation method was used to obtain the electrical response of tight sandstone core with low water saturation which cannot be obtained in laboratory conditions. By combining experiment and numerical simulation, the electrical response laws have been clear of tight sandstone with complex pore structure, and the saturation evaluation method of variable rock electrical parameters based on pore structure has been developed. The processing of logging data of multiple wells in tight sandstone reservoir of Chang 7 Member in the Ordos Basin shows that this method can obtain more accurate oil saturation, and provides a new idea and method for fine logging evaluation of tight sandstone reservoir.

Water Saturation Dependence on CO₂Sorption Potential of Sandstones

For the assessment of the carbon dioxide (CO2) storage potential of water-filled reservoir rocks (i.e., saline aquifers), it should be first important step for a thorough understanding of the effect of water content on CO2/water/rock interactions during CO2 injection. The purpose of this study is to examine the CO2 sorption amount for Kimachi sandstone and Berea sandstone at different water content using the manometric method at temperature of 50?C and pressures of up to 20 MPa. Our results document that a significant quantity of CO2 was sorbed on the two types of sandstone on all water-saturated bases, which corresponded to the amount adsorbed on the air-dry basis. Also, all the wet samples had significantly higher sorption capacity than the theoretical values calculated from the solubility model based on dissolution of CO2 in pore water and the pore-filling model, which assumes that the pore volume unoccupied by water is filled with CO2. Furthermore, the observations indicated a certain degree of correlation between the sorbed amount and the water content, except at pressures below the critical point for Berea sandstone. This investigation points out that CO2 sorption is a possible mechanism in CO2 geological storage even under water-saturated conditions and that the mechanism of sorption on silica and silicate minerals plays an essential role in the reliable and accurate estimation of the CO2 storage capacity of water-saturated reservoirs.

Strength prediction model for water-bearing sandstone based on nearinfrared spectroscopy

The strength of water-bearing rock cannot be obtained in real time and by nondestructive experiments,which is an issue at cultural relics protection sites such as grotto temples.To solve this problem,we conducted a near-infrared spectrum acquisition experiment in the field and laboratory uniaxial compression strength tests on sandstone that had different water saturation levels.The correlations between the peak height and peak area of the nearinfrared absorption bands of the water-bearing sandstone and uniaxial compressive strength were analyzed.On this basis,a strength prediction model for water-bearing sandstone was established using the long short-term memory full convolutional network(LSTM-FCN)method.Subsequently,a field engineering test was carried out.The results showed that:(1)The sandstone samples had four distinct characteristic absorption peaks at 1400,1900,2200,and 2325 nm.The peak height and peak area of the absorption bands near 1400 nm and 1900 nm had a negative correlation with uniaxial compressive strength.The peak height and peak area of the absorption bands near 2200 nm and 2325 nm had nonlinear positive correlations with uniaxial compressive strength.(2)The LSTM-FCN method was used to establish a strength prediction model for water-bearing sandstone based on near-infrared spectroscopy,and the model achieved an accuracy of up to 97.52%.(3)The prediction model was used to realize non-destructive,quantitative,and real-time determination of uniaxial compressive strength;this represents a new method for the non-destructive testing of grotto rock mass at sites of cultural relics protection.

A new NMR-data-based method for predicting petrophysical properties of tight sandstone reservoirs

Evaluating the permeability and irreducible water saturation of tight sandstone reservoirs is challenging.This study uses distribution functions to fit measured NMR T_(2)distributions of tight sandstone reservoirs and extract parameters for characterizing pore size distribution.These parameters are then used to establish prediction models for permeability and irreducible water saturation of reservoirs.Results of comparing the fit of the T_(2)distributions by the Gauss and Weibull distribution functions show that the fitting accuracy with the Weibull distribution function is higher.The physical meaning of the statistical parameters of the Weibull distribution function is defined to establish nonlinear prediction models of permeability and irreducible water saturation using the radial basis function(RBF)method.Correlation coefficients between the predicted values by the established models and the measured values of the tight sandstone core samples are 0.944 for permeability and 0.851 for irreducible water saturation,which highlight the effectiveness of the prediction models.

Velocity dispersion and fluid substitution in sandstone under partially saturated conditions

The elastic moduli of four sandstone samples are measured at seismic （2-2000 Hz） and ultrasonic （1 MHz） frequencies and water- and glycerin-saturated conditions. We observe that the high-permeability samples under partially water-saturated conditions and the low-permeability samples under partially glycerin-saturated conditions show little dispersion at low frequencies （2-2000 Hz）. However, the high-permeability samples under partially glycerin-saturated conditions and the low-permeability samples under partially water-saturated conditions produce strong dispersion in the same frequency range （2-2000 Hz）. This suggests that fluid mobility largely controls the pore-fluid movement and pore pressure in a porous medium. High fluid mobility facilitates pore-pressure equilibration either between pores or between heterogeneous regions, resulting in a low-frequency domain where the Gassmann equations are valid. In contrast, low fluid mobility produces pressure gradients even at seismic frequencies, and thus dispersion. The latter shows a systematic shift to lower frequencies with decreasing mobility. Sandstone samples showed variations in Vp as a function of fluid saturation. We explore the applicability of the Gassmann model on sandstone rocks. Two theoretical bounds for the P-velocity are known, the Gassmann-Wood and Gassmann-Hill limits. The observations confirm the effect of wave-induced flow on the transition from the Gassmann-Wood to the Gassmann-Hill limit. With decreasing fluid mobility, the P-velocity at 2-2000 Hz moves from the Gassmann-Wood boundary to the Gassmann-Hill boundary. In addition,, we investigate the mechanisms responsible for this transition.

Numerical simulation of the dynamic migration mechanism and prediction of saturation of tight sandstone oil

Quantitative characterization of tight sandstone oil migration and accumulation is an emerging research frontier in the field of oil and gas exploration.In this study,a conceptual model containing multiple basic geological elements is developed,and a nonlinear seepage numerical model for tight sandstone oil migration and accumulation is established.The effects of the slip effect,overpressure driving force,buoyancy,and capillary force on the migration and accumulation of tight oil are examined.The results showed that(1)the differences in oil migration and accumulation between tight and conventional reservoirs are reflected in the growth mode of oil saturation,distribution characteristics of oil and water,and extent of the effect of the formation dip angle;(2)the slip effect has a significant impact when the average pore throat radius is less than 150 nm and the overpressure driving force and capillary force are the main mechanical mechanisms controlling oil migration and accumulation in tight sandstone,while the coupling effect of buoyancy,capillary force,and overpressure driving force controls the upper and lower limits of oil saturation.Finally,a dimensional and dimensionless identification chart for rapidly predicting the oil saturation of tight sandstone is proposed and verified using the measured data.This study provides a basis for analyzing the migration and accumulation mechanisms of tight sandstone oil and a new approach for predicting oil saturation.Additionally,we developed digital and visual analysis methods for the migration results,enriching the expression of the dynamics of hydrocarbon accumulation.

Stress relaxation and attenuation of fluid－saturated sandstone at low frequency

The authors studied the attenuation and modulus dispersion of fluid-saturated sandstone by changing the viscosity of fluid, tried to find out the relationship between attenuation, exciting frequency and resonance amplitude to identify the difference of attenuation when the sandstone was saturated with different fluids. The authors also select three-parameter viscoelastic model and Cole-Cole distribution to explain the observed experimental phenomena.

Effect of Pisha sandstone on water infiltration of different soils on the Chinese Loess Plateau

The infiltration of water into soil is one of the most important soil physical properties that affect soil erosion and the eco-environment, especially in the Pisha sandstone area on the Chinese Loess Plateau. We studied the one-dimensional vertical infiltration of water in three experimental soils, created by mixing Pisha sandstone with sandy soil, irrigation-silted soil, and loessial soil, at mass ratios of 1：1, 1：2, 1：3, 1：4, and 1：5. Our objective was to compare water infiltration in the experimental soils and to evaluate the effect of Pisha sandstone on water infiltration. We assessed the effect by measuring soil bulk density（BD）, porosity, cumulative infiltration, infiltration rate and saturated hydraulic conductivity（Ks）. The results showed that Pisha sandstone decreased the infiltration rate and saturated hydraulic conductivity in the three experimental soils. Cumulative infiltration over time was well described by the Philip equation. Sandy soil mixed with the Pisha sandstone at a ratio of 1：3 had the best water-holding capacity. The results provided experimental evidence for the movement of soil water and a technical support for the reconstruction and reclamation of mining soils in the Pisha sandstone area.

A new model for predicting irreducible water saturation in tight gas reservoirs

The irreducible water saturation(Swir) is a significant parameter for relative permeability prediction and initial hydrocarbon reserves estimation.However,the complex pore structures of the tight rocks and multiple factors of the formation conditions make the parameter difficult to be accurately predicted by the conventional methods in tight gas reservoirs.In this study,a new model was derived to calculate Swir based on the capillary model and the fractal theory.The model incorporated different types of immobile water and considered the stress effect.The dead or stationary water(DSW) was considered in this model,which described the phenomena of water trapped in the dead-end pores due to detour flow and complex pore structures.The water film,stress effect and formation temperature were also considered in the proposed model.The results calculated by the proposed model are in a good agreement with the experimental data.This proves that for tight sandstone gas reservoirs the Swir calculated from the new model is more accurate.The irreducible water saturation calculated from the new model reveals that Swir is controlled by the critical capillary radius,DSW coefficient,effective stress and formation temperature.

Physical properties of sandstone reservoirs: Implication for fluid mobility

Core samples representing depths of hydrocarbon-bearing zones are not readily accessible for reservoir evaluations.On the other hand,wireline logs with incorporated seismic data,which can be archived over a more extended period while retaining their original forms,are typically more available for research purposes.Therefore,the study relies on wireline logs with seismic data to predict the reservoirs'fluid mobility by evaluating the hydraulic(flow)units,reservoir depths,fluid saturations,and geothermal gradients.It also indicates the associated water cut(C_(w))within Ritchie oil and gas field,Niger Delta considering a three-phase(oil-gas-water-bearing)reservoir(R_(A))and an oil-saturated reservoir(R_(B))delineated across three wells(R_(W1),R_(W2) and R_(W3)).Research activities combining the presented factors to achieve the stated objectives are not quite common within the study location.It shows lower,average and upper limits of the flow unit factors and irreducible water saturation(S_(wirr))within the reservoirs.The study shows the relationship between hydraulic units/fluid saturations and fluid mobility/associated C_(w) within the sandstone reservoirs.It maximises porosity(Ф)for the theoretical flow units'prediction during qualitative and quantitative estimation based on the adopted expressions.Therefore,the study reveals that water saturation(S_(w))and hydrocarbon/water ratios substantially control C_(w),and other contributing factors include thermal gradients and S_(wirr).The flow unit factors are also significant and will encourage fluid mobility.The evaluated reservoirs(R_(A) and R_(B))are below 10400 ft(3170 m)across wells R_(W1),R_(W2) and R_(W3) within the Agbada Formation of a geothermal gradient up to 2.7℃/100 m;therefore,they have good thermal conditions to enhance hydrocarbon mobility and increase S wirr.Hence,the reservoir should feature significant hydrocarbon extraction via primary recovery.The average water cut(C_(w-avg).)(12.3%)estimated for reservoir R_(A) is within the acceptable range;therefore,the associated water production from the three-phase reservoir will not be much of a concern.In addition,simple models are presented to aid an alternative approach for predicting reservoir quality and C_(w) within sandstone res-ervoirs,especially in the absence of core samples.

Factors influencing in-situ leaching of uranium mining in a sandstone deposit in Shihongtan, Northwest China

The Shihongtan uranium deposit in northwest China is a sandstone-type deposit suitable for alkaline in-situ leaching exploitation of uranium. Alkaline leaching tends to result in CaCO3 precipitation there by affecting the porosity of the ore-bearing aquifer. CaCO3 deposits can also block pumping and injection holes if the formulation parameters of the leaching solution are not well controlled. However, controlling these parameters to operate the in-situ leaching process is challenging. Our study demonstrates that the dissolved uranium concentration in the leaching solution increases as HCO3-concentration increases. Therefore, the most suitable HCO3-concentration to use as leaching solution is defined by the boundary value of the HCO3-concentration that controls CaCO3 dissolution-precipitation. That is, the dissolution and precipitation of calcite is closely related to pH, Ca2+ and HCO3-concentration. The pH and Ca2+ concentration are the main factors limiting HCO3-concentration in the leaching solution. The higher the pH and Ca2+ concentration, the lower the boundary value of HCO3-concentration, and therefore the more unfavorable to in-situ leaching of uranium.

An integral method for calculation of capillary pressure based on centrifuge data of tight sandstone

The traditional Hassler-Brunner(HB)interpretation method of centrifuge capillary pressure is widely used in materials,soil,biotechnology,and especially in the petroleum industry.However,the assumptions of the traditional method cannot be simultaneously satisfied,the traditional method has been known to lead significant errors in some cases.In this paper,a new double integral method is proposed to evaluate the centrifuge capillary pressure of long tight sandstone samples.Both the changes of capillary length and interface of wetting phase and non-wetting phase fluids are considered by the new integral method,thus the average pressure and saturation derived from the proposed double integral method is more sufficient in theoretic foundation and clearer on physical meaning.By comparing with the measured capillary pressure of long tight sandstone core samples from porous plate,the capillary pressure calculated from traditional HB method is obviously smaller than the measured value,and the discrepancy increases with the decreasing core porosity.However,the average capillary pressure obtained by the proposed double integral method is remarkably consistent with the measured value.The findings of this study can help for better understanding of distribution of wetting phase fluid and average centrifuge capillary pressure in the core during centrifugal process.

Nuclear magnetic resonance study of the formation and dissociation process of nature gas hydrate in sandstone

In this work,the authors monitored the formation and dissociation process of methane hydrate in four different rock core samples through nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR)relaxation time(T_(2))and 2D imaging measurement.The result shows that the intensity of T_(2) spectra and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)signals gradually decreases in the hydrate formation process,and at the same time,the T_(2) spectra move toward the left domain as the growth of hydrate in the pores of the sample accelerates the decay rate.The hydrate grows and dissociates preferentially in the purer sandstone samples with larger pore size and higher porosity.Significantly,for the sample with lower porosity and higher argillaceous content,the intensity of the T_(2) spectra also shows a trend of a great decrease in the hydrate formation process,which means that high-saturation gas hydrate can also be formed in the sample with higher argillaceous content.The changes in MRI of the sample in the process show that the formation and dissociation of methane hydrate can reshape the distribution of water in the pores.

基于机器学习的低含油饱和度砂岩储层参数预测——以准噶尔盆地夏子街油田夏77井区下克拉玛依组为例

准噶尔盆地夏子街油田夏77井区块下克拉玛依组(简称克下组)特低孔特低渗油藏油水关系复杂、产量低、储层含水高,且具有低含油饱和度、孔渗相关性差、储层参数与测井响应关系不清晰、油水层识别困难等特征,常规储层参数评价及预测方法适用性差。通过对岩性、物性、含油性分析,明确了克下组储层岩性为砂砾岩、砂质砾岩,黏土矿物以伊蒙混层为主;储层为以原生粒间孔和残余粒间孔为主要储集空间的低孔隙度、特低渗透率储集层。通过建立含油饱和度解释模型,确定了本区油藏属于低饱和度油藏,含油饱和度一般为36%~55%。砂砾岩储层物性和含油性优于中细砂岩,储层物性控制含油性,呈现低饱和度特征,电性受含油性和岩性双重影响。通过低含油饱和度油藏形成机理研究,认为储层微观孔隙结构是形成低含油饱和度的主要原因。通过对敏感参数优选,基于自然伽马、电阻率和声波时差测井等资料,引入基于机器学习的BP神经网络技术,对夏子街油田夏77井区块克下组油藏进行了孔隙度、渗透率和含水饱和度的计算及预测,储层参数预测精度均高于80%,相关结论及方法可为低含油饱和度致密砂岩储层的物性参数预测提供依据和参考。

单轴压缩过程中冻结砂岩的损伤局部化规律研究

损伤局部化是岩石受荷破坏过程中的必经阶段和破坏前兆特征。本文研究冻结岩石受荷破坏过程中的损伤局部化规律,并探讨初始饱和度的影响。在-20℃下对具有不同初始饱和度的冻结砂岩试样进行单轴压缩试验,并采用数字图像相关(DIC)和声发射(AE)系统采集试验过程中的表面变形和声发射信号,分析了试样表面应变局部化模式与内部微裂纹扩展类型。结果表明:(1)初始饱和度令试样的单轴抗压强度产生阶段性变化,并改变了试样各加载阶段占比和破裂过程中的声发射振铃计数分布特征;(2)以40%初始饱和度为转折点,试样的表面应变局部化模式由拉应变为主变为剪应变为主,初始饱和度超过90%时出现了拉、剪应变同时发展的混合模式,并能与试样的最终破坏形态对应;(3)损伤局部化过程中,试样内部的微裂纹扩展类型与表面应变局部化模式基本吻合。最后,结合不同初始饱和度下冻结岩石孔隙中的相组成分变化,分析了其对冻结岩石损伤局部化模式的影响。本研究有助于加深研究人员对冻结岩石力学性质的认识,为寒区岩石工程破坏与失稳预测提供重要参考。

BISQ model based on a Kelvin-Voigt viscoelastic frame in a partially saturated porous medium

Taking into account three important porous media mechanisms during wave propagation （the Biot-flow, squirt-flow, and solid-skeleton viscoelastic mechanisms）, we introduce water saturation into the dynamic governing equations of wave propagation by analyzing the effective medium theory and then providing a viscoelastic Biot/squirt （BISQ） model which can analyze the wave propagation problems in a partially viscous pore fluid saturated porous media. In this model, the effects of pore fluid distribution patterns on the effective bulk modulus at different frequencies are considered. Then we derive the wave dynamic equations in the time-space domain. The phase velocity and the attenuation coefficient equations of the viscoelatic BISQ model in the frequency-wavenumber domain are deduced through a set of plane harmonic solution assumptions. Finally, by means of numerical simulations, we investigate the effects of water saturation, permeability, and frequency on compressional wave velocity and attenuation. Based on tight sandstone and carbonate experimental observed data, the compressional wave velocities of partially saturated reservoir rocks are calculated. The compressional wave velocity in carbonate reservoirs is more sensitive to gas saturation than in sandstone reservoirs.

致密砂岩储层孔隙结构特征对可动流体赋存的影响:以鄂尔多斯盆地庆城地区长7段为例

分析孔隙结构和可动流体分布特征是储层研究的关键要素,也是当前研究的重点与热点,对致密砂岩油气勘探及提高油气采收率具有重要意义。以鄂尔多斯盆地庆城地区长7段致密砂岩储层为例,通过物性测试、铸体薄片、扫描电镜、高压压汞和核磁共振实验,结合分形理论,分析了致密砂岩储层孔隙结构、非均质性和可动流体分布特征,讨论了孔喉结构和非均质性对可动流体赋存的影响。结果表明:研究区长7段储层储集空间主要由微纳米级孔隙贡献,孔隙连通性较差,孔喉半径主要分布在0.050~0.500μm;孔喉结构非均质性较强,分形维数分布在2.65~2.90;流体可动性较差,可动流体饱和度分布在16.68%~51.74%,可动流体多分布在中孔和小孔内。研究区长7段储层可分为3类:从Ⅰ类到Ⅲ类储层,剩余粒间孔和粒间溶蚀孔发育变少,孔隙连通性变差,孔喉尺寸变小,较大孔喉变少,非均质性变强,流体可动性变差,中孔和大孔内可动流体含量趋于降低,可动流体倾向于在小孔内赋存。研究成果为致密砂岩油气勘探及油气采收率提高提供了理论依据。

恒湿环境下不同含水饱和度砂岩制备方法及压缩试验

针对目前制备不同含水饱和度岩石试样存在的精度低和试样内部含水分布不均匀等问题,基于渗透技术和化学热力学原理,设计了一种恒湿环境下不同含水饱和度岩石试样制备装置,并通过核磁共振成像实验验证了该装置精确制备水分均匀分布岩石试样的合理性。同时,利用该装置开展了不同含水饱和度条件下砂岩常应变率压缩试验。结果表明:砂岩的单轴抗压强度和弹性模量均随着含水饱和度的增加而降低,随着围压的增大,试样砂岩压密阶段减弱,试样的变形经历弹脆性—弹塑性—应变硬化的过程。研究结果为不同含水饱和度岩石试样的精确制备提供了新的方法和思路。