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Effects of CO/sub 2/ flooding on wave velocities in rocks with hydrocarbons

Journal Article · · SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Reservoir Engineering; (USA)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2118/17345-PA· OSTI ID:5337164
 [1];  [2]
  1. Core Labs., Calgary (CA)
  2. Stanford Univ., Geophysics Dept., CA (US)

Compressional and shear-wave velocities were measured in the laboratory in seven sandstones (porosities ranging from 6 to 29%) and one unconsolidated sand (37% porosity) saturated with n-hexadecane (C/sub 16/H/sub 34/) both before and after CO/sub 2/ flooding. CO/sub 2/ flooding decreased compressional-wave velocities significantly, while shear-wave velocities were less affected. The magnitude of these effects was found to depend on confining and pore pressures, temperature, and porosities of the rocks. The experimental results and theoretical analysis show that the decreases in compressional-wave velocities caused by CO/sub 2/ flooding may be seismically resolvable in situ. Therefore, seismic--especially high-frequency, high-resolution seismic--methods may be useful in mapping and locating CO/sub 2/ zones, tracking movements of CO/sub 2/ fronts, and monitoring flooding processes in reservoirs undergoing CO/sub 2/ flooding.

OSTI ID:
5337164
Journal Information:
SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Reservoir Engineering; (USA), Journal Name: SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Reservoir Engineering; (USA) Vol. 4:4; ISSN 0885-9248; ISSN SREEE
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English