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Title: Investigation of multiphase fluid imbibition in shale through synchrotron-based dynamic micro-CT imaging

Abstract

Abstract While substantial advances were made in pore system characterization in shale in the past decade, understanding of fundamentals of multiphase fluid flow in shale remains limited. The complexity of multiphase fluid flow in shale is related to many factors including nanoscale to submicron‐scale pore systems, differences in mineralogy and associated surface wettability, heterogeneity of these properties at different scales, and possible existence of microfractures. Previous work related to fluid flow, such as permeability measurement, spontaneous imbibition, and wettability analysis, includes many simplified assumptions/hypotheses with limited consideration of small‐scale details. In addition, these studies were mostly focused on single‐phase phenomena. Direct observation of multiphase fluid flow in shale showing small‐scale details is highly desired. In this study, dynamic imaging using synchrotron‐based micro‐CT (computed microtomography) was conducted on two shale samples to investigate multiphase (oil and water) spontaneous imbibition. The results revealed many details of multiphase flow in shale, including pore connectivity, porosity and permeability layered distribution, and wettability of microfractures and pores. At the same time, results illustrate the complexity of multiphase flow in shale and gaps in understanding that need further investigation.

Authors:
ORCiD logo [1]; ORCiD logo [2]
+ Show Author Affiliations
  1. Univ. of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX (United States)
  2. Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Lemont, IL (United States)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
University of Texas, Austin; USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)
OSTI Identifier:
1477186
Alternate Identifier(s):
OSTI ID: 1402169
Grant/Contract Number:  
AC02-06CH11357; DE‐AC02‐06CH11357
Resource Type:
Accepted Manuscript
Journal Name:
Journal of Geophysical Research. Solid Earth
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 122; Journal Issue: 6; Journal ID: ISSN 2169-9313
Publisher:
American Geophysical Union
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
58 GEOSCIENCES; dynamic imaging; micro-CT; micro-fracture; multi-phase imbibition; shale

Citation Formats

Peng, Sheng, and Xiao, Xianghui. Investigation of multiphase fluid imbibition in shale through synchrotron-based dynamic micro-CT imaging. United States: N. p., 2017. Web. doi:10.1002/2017JB014253.
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Peng, Sheng, & Xiao, Xianghui. Investigation of multiphase fluid imbibition in shale through synchrotron-based dynamic micro-CT imaging. United States. https://doi.org/10.1002/2017JB014253
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Peng, Sheng, and Xiao, Xianghui. Sat . "Investigation of multiphase fluid imbibition in shale through synchrotron-based dynamic micro-CT imaging". United States. https://doi.org/10.1002/2017JB014253. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1477186.
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@article{osti_1477186,
title = {Investigation of multiphase fluid imbibition in shale through synchrotron-based dynamic micro-CT imaging},
author = {Peng, Sheng and Xiao, Xianghui},
abstractNote = {Abstract While substantial advances were made in pore system characterization in shale in the past decade, understanding of fundamentals of multiphase fluid flow in shale remains limited. The complexity of multiphase fluid flow in shale is related to many factors including nanoscale to submicron‐scale pore systems, differences in mineralogy and associated surface wettability, heterogeneity of these properties at different scales, and possible existence of microfractures. Previous work related to fluid flow, such as permeability measurement, spontaneous imbibition, and wettability analysis, includes many simplified assumptions/hypotheses with limited consideration of small‐scale details. In addition, these studies were mostly focused on single‐phase phenomena. Direct observation of multiphase fluid flow in shale showing small‐scale details is highly desired. In this study, dynamic imaging using synchrotron‐based micro‐CT (computed microtomography) was conducted on two shale samples to investigate multiphase (oil and water) spontaneous imbibition. The results revealed many details of multiphase flow in shale, including pore connectivity, porosity and permeability layered distribution, and wettability of microfractures and pores. At the same time, results illustrate the complexity of multiphase flow in shale and gaps in understanding that need further investigation.},
doi = {10.1002/2017JB014253},
journal = {Journal of Geophysical Research. Solid Earth},
number = 6,
volume = 122,
place = {United States},
year = {Sat Jun 17 00:00:00 EDT 2017},
month = {Sat Jun 17 00:00:00 EDT 2017}
}
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https://doi.org/10.1002/2017JB014253
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    Works referencing / citing this record:

    Tracer‐Guided Characterization of Dominant Pore Networks and Implications for Permeability and Wettability in Shale
    journal, February 2019

    • Peng, Sheng; Reed, Robert M.; Xiao, Xianghui
    • Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, Vol. 124, Issue 2
    • DOI: 10.1029/2018jb016103

    Modelling shale spontaneous water intake using semi‐analytical and numerical approaches
    journal, December 2018

    • Mohammadmoradi, Peyman; Kantzas, Apostolos
    • The Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering, Vol. 97, Issue S1
    • DOI: 10.1002/cjce.23341

    Discussion of shale rock wettability and the methods to determine it
    journal, October 2018

    • Sheng, James J.
    • Asia-Pacific Journal of Chemical Engineering, Vol. 13, Issue 6
    • DOI: 10.1002/apj.2263
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