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Porosity and Permeability Evolution Accompanying Hot fluid Injection into Diatomite, SUPRI TR-123

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/777917· OSTI ID:777917
An experimental study of silica dissolution was performed to probe the evolution of permeability and porosity in siliceous diatomite during hot fluid injection such as water or steam flooding. Two competing mechanisms were identified. Silica solubility in water at elevated temperature causes rock dissolution thereby increasing permeability; however, the rock is mechanically weak leading to compressing of the solid matrix during injection. Permeability and porosity can decrease at the onset of fluid flow. A laboratory flow apparatus was designed and built to examine these processes in diatomite core samples.
Research Organization:
National Petroleum Technology Office, Tulsa, OK (US)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Fossil Energy (FE) (US)
DOE Contract Number:
FC26-00BC15311
OSTI ID:
777917
Report Number(s):
DOE/BC/15311-4
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English