• Pourafshary, Peyman
• Kharrat, Riyaz
• Golshokooh, Saeed
• Khoramian, Reza

Abstract

Developing reliable synthetic cores that accurately mimic natural rock properties is crucial for<br/>studying fluid flow and reservoir processes. This paper presents a novel study for fabricating<br/>synthetic core samples by fusing glass beads and sand particles within cylindrical molds. Various<br/>synthetic core production and characterization factors were explored, including material selection,<br/>fabrication parameter optimization, pore size distribution, and capillary behavior analysis.<br/>Ceramic tubes were ideal for core fabrication due to their high-temperature tolerance, durability,<br/>and reusability. Quartz glass beads were preferred for their transparency and enhanced heat<br/>stability. Varying the size and shape of the glass beads influenced porosity, with round particles<br/>having lower porosity and angular particles showing higher porosity. The packing procedure and<br/>furnace type affected porosity and permeability, with tightly packed arrangements resulting in<br/>lower values. Optimal sintering conditions were identified at 680°C for 15 minutes, resulting in<br/>high porosity and permeability. Incorporating sand particles at a 1:6 sand-to-glass-bead ratio<br/>enhanced core stability under challenging conditions (740°C), achieving high-pressure resistance<br/>(≈15,000 psi) and tighter cores with lower porosity (≈11%) and permeability (≈5 mD) compared<br/>to cores made solely of glass beads, which had lower pressure resistance (≈2,300 psi) and higher<br/>porosity (≈31%) and permeability (≈3,190 mD). Synthetic cores demonstrated exceptional<br/>stability under fluid flow conditions, with minimal property changes (≈&lt;1%) and wettability<br/>alterations comparable to natural cores. The capillary pressure study confirmed the similarity of<br/>synthetic cores to real cores, revealing variations in pore sizes and residual mercury saturations.<br/>Overall, this innovative study highlights the potential of sintered glass beads for producing better<br/>synthetic core plugs. Including sand particles at elevated temperatures and extended retention<br/>times enables the production of tighter synthetic core plugs. The findings confirm the essential role<br/>of sintered glass beads in replicating natural rock properties and studying fluid flow at reservoir<br/>conditions.

Topics

• impedance spectroscopy
• pore
• glass
• glass
• molecular dynamics
• permeability
• porosity
• ceramic
• durability
• sintering
• Mercury