Abstract
In this study, we numerically cemented a segmented X-ray microtomography image of a sandstone to understand changes to pore space connectivity, capillary control on gas, and water distributions, and ultimately production behavior in tight gas sandstone reservoirs. Level set method-based progressive quasi-static algorithm (a state-of-the-art direct simulation of capillarity-dominated fluid displacement) was used to find the gas/water configurations during drainage and imbibition cycles. Further, we account for gas–water interfacial tension changes using 1D burial history model based on available geologic data. We have found the displacement simulation method robust, and that diagenetic changes impart a significantly larger effect on gas trapping compared with interfacial tension changes.
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Prodanović, M., Bryant, S.L. & Davis, J.S. Numerical Simulation of Diagenetic Alteration and Its Effect on Residual Gas in Tight Gas Sandstones. Transp Porous Med 96, 39–62 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11242-012-0072-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11242-012-0072-3