Multiscale Experimental Study of Microstructure and Elastic and Geomechanical Properties of Domanik and Bazhenov Rocks

Several unconventional reservoir rocks including Bazhenov’s formation shale of VTI symmetry and five isotropic Domanik rocks have been studied within a framework of specially developed experimental-theoretical complex of petrophysical works. The complex includes multiscale analysis of 2D and 3D microstructure of rocks; determination of mineral composition, kerogen content, porosity, permeability, and density. Multilevel and multiscale ultrasounding of rocks (measurements of Vp and Vs) are also performed. The miscrostructure and elastic properties of rocks are studied at three different scales – full-sized core, standard samples (cylinders 30 by 60 mm) and small samples (cylinders 10 by 30 mm). These data allow one to estimate the rock’s heterogeneity, anisotropy and similarity of elastic properties at different scales and serve as a basis for future Rock Physics modeling. Geomechanical parameters including the static elastic moduli, UCS, angle of internal friction and characteristics of creep behavior are obtained for these rocks.