Flow characterization of glauconitic sandstones by integrated Dynamic Neutron Radiography and image analysis of backscattered electron micrographs

The effects of porosity and pore geometry on the fluid saturation and immiscible displacement of greensand reservoir rocks were investigated on eight samples from the North Sea basin. Dynamic Neutron Radiography (DNR) was used to image the front stability during displacement experiments where oil was infiltrating water-saturated samples. The flow characteristics were related to petrography and pore geometry, which may be determined by image analysis of backscattered electron (BSE) micrographs. The fluid saturation observed in each DNR image was modelled in a corresponding BSE image as a means of evaluating the effect of pore geometry on front stability. Piston-like displacement and channelling were observed and these flow patterns were found to reflect variations in pore geometry. The samples with piston-like displacement have homogeneous pore space, whereas the samples with channelling have heterogeneous pore space, with spatial variations in porosity and pore size. The modelled saturation distribution was interpreted using results from petrographic and petrophysical analyses. The results suggest that the micropores of the glauconite grains and clay minerals contain water, whereas the oil is moving through the intergranular pore space during the displacement experiment.