New Possibilities in Petrophysical Analysis of Core Samples Using Optical Scanning Technology

Development of new optical scanning instrument provided continuous high-precision measurements of thermal conductivity, volumetric heat capacity, anisotropy coefficient and rock heterogeneity factor on full-size cores. Continuous scanning of full-size cores gives profiles of thermal properties along the depth of the well. These data characterizes the reservoir heterogeneity at different scales and necessary for reservoir simulations. Obtained thermal property profiles are further used to select the core plugs for petrophysical measurements at bench and reservoir conditions. The approach was used to study more than 1000 core samples from 4 oil fields. Another new instrument for high-precision numerous measurements of the thermal properties on core plugs was developed. The thermal property measurements on core plugs were performed before and after core extraction, drying and saturation that provided monitoring of physical property and core condition variations on more than 300 samples. Developed experimental basis extended the area of application of thermal properties.