3D Flow Simulation Using Lattice Boltzmann Method on Real Carbonate Core-Plug Samples

Abstract:

Digital Rock Physics (DRP) is a novel technology that could be used to generate accurate, fast and cost effective special core analysis (SCAL) properties to support reservoir characterization and simulation tools.

This work focuses on running numerical simulations using the Lattice Boltzmann algorithm on reconstructed volume from microCT images of carbonate core-plug samples at different resolutions. The porous media was first reconstructed from the retrieved image slices. Then the open-source software, Palabos was used to run the Lattice Boltzmann algorithm to simulate single phase flow in the medium and determine the permeability.

The results were analyzed according to the resolutions of the original microCT images and the scale of the micro-plug.