Dates For Your Diary 2008

Thursday 26th June 2008
One Day Seminar
Use of Statistics in Formation Evaluation
Burlington House

Monday 21st July 2008
Evening Talk - To be arranged

Student and University Support

LPS Academic Bursary and Grant schemes

LPS Student Bursary

LPS Academic Grant

Evening Talk

Evening Talk - "Digital Core Technology"

Mark Knackstedt - ANU

Monday 19th May, 6pm at Burlington House.

Abstract:
Digital core technology, 3D imaging and visualisation of core material at the pore scale and subsequent analysis of petrophysical and multiphase flow properties can give important insight to understanding properties of reservoir core material. Historically, digital core technology has focused on the direct comparison of predictions with data collected from conventional core analysis.

Results show that predictions of petrophysical and multiphase properties from 3D image data (permeability tensor, formation factor, resistivity index, relative permeability and drainage capillary pressure) are in good agreement with experimental core measurements. Here we discuss some of the potential applications of this emerging technology to the industry via case study examples including:

  • Understanding reasons for scatter in petrophysical data in terms of rock type, pore structure and interconnectivity.
  • Probing uncertainty in relative permeability data. Imaging and modeling of fluid distributions at the pore scale including the incorporation of different wettability scenarios.
  • Direct imaging of reservoir compaction effects on porosity, permeability and pore structure.

Biography:
Mark Knackstedt was awarded a BSc in 1985 from Columbia University and a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Rice University in 1990. He is Professor and Head of the Department of Applied Mathematics at the Australian National University and a Visiting Professor at the School of Petroleum Engineering at the University of NSW.

His primary focus is on development of 3D tomographic imaging analysis methods and modeling transport elastic and multiphase flow properties of complex materials. He leads the Digital Core Consortium Program. The consortium members include ExxonMobil, Chevron, BP, Shell, Total, Saudi Aramco, Schlumberger, Baker Hughes, BHP Billiton, Japan Oil and Gas, ADCO, ONGC (India) and Maersk Oil and Gas.