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Mesopore Fractal Characteristics in Low-Permeability Sandstone Affected by High Temperature Using NMR

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Abstract

Effectively evaluating the pore structure in sandstone proves to be a difficult task in the field of oil and gas seepage in unconventional reservoirs. Fractal theory demonstrates great potential as a feasible evaluation method. In this paper, we perform transverse relaxation time \(T_{2}\) spectrum tests of low-permeability sandstones subjected to high temperatures via low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Introducing fractal theory, statistical analysis and quantitative characterization of pore structure from aspects of pore size distribution and fluid migration are carried out. Five types of pore characteristic fractal dimensions are calculated and the response relationship between fractal characteristics and physical parameters is established. The results demonstrate that the fractal dimension of the adsorption pores does not have fractal characteristics, while that of the seepage pores exhibits obvious fractal characteristics, as well as a strong negative correlation with temperature. This indicates the improvement of adsorption pore uniformity with increasing temperature and its gradual transition to an ordered state. The total pores and pores (corresponding to bound and movable water) exhibit fractal characteristics yet they are not as obvious as those of the seepage pores. An ideal negative correlation is formed with the fractal dimension of seepage pores and the porosity and permeability, indicating that the seepage pores following a high-temperature treatment have a decisive influence on the migration and storage capacity of the reservoir rock, while the extensive amount of developed adsorption pores have a poor connectivity with each other and their contribution to the physical quality of the rock is limited. The effect of high temperature leads to the development of seepage pores, accompanied by a significant increase in the complexity of large-scale pores, which intensifies the complexity and non-uniformity of the pore structure.

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The datasets used during the study are available from the corresponding author by request.

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Funding

This work has been supported by The National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 42007259), and the State Key Laboratory for GeoMechanics and Deep Underground Engineering, China University of Mining & Technology (No. SKLGDUEK2207).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Water Resources and Architectural Engineering, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, 712100, China

    Shi Liu

  2. State Key Laboratory for GeoMechanics and Deep Underground Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, 221116, Jiangsu, China

    Shi Liu

  3. Aviation Engineering School, Air Force Engineering University, Xi’an, 710038, Shaanxi, China

    Shi Liu & Zhe Huang

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  1. Shi Liu
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  2. Zhe Huang
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SL: Conceptualization, Methodology, Data curation, Writing-Original draft preparation, Funding acquisition, Supervision. ZH: Investigation, Data curation.

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Correspondence to Shi Liu.

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Liu, S., Huang, Z. Mesopore Fractal Characteristics in Low-Permeability Sandstone Affected by High Temperature Using NMR. Appl Magn Reson 54, 719–735 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00723-023-01549-4

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