Calculation of anisotropy permeability from 3D tomographic images using renormalization group approaches and lattice Boltzmann method

• Published in: Journal of petroleum exploration and production technology Vol. 9; no. 2; pp. 889 - 897
• Main Authors: Irayani, Z., Fauzi, U., Viridi, S., Latief, F. D. E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01-06-2019; Springer Nature B.V; SpringerOpen
• Subjects: Anisotropy; Conductance; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Energy Systems; Geology; Industrial and Production Engineering; Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering; Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM); Mathematical analysis; Medical imaging; Methods; Micro-CT scan; Monitoring/Environmental Analysis; Offshore Engineering; Original Paper - Exploration Geophysics; Permeability; Renormalization group approach (RGA); Resistance; Rocks; Sandstone; Sediment samples; Sedimentary rocks; Renormalization group approach (RGA); Permeability; Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM); Anisotropy; Micro-CT scan
• ISSN: 2190-0558; 2190-0566
• DOI: 10.1007/s13202-018-0558-9

Calculation of permeability from 3D tomographic rock images was performed by combining renormalization group approaches (RGA) and lattice Boltzmann method (LBM). Images of sandstone rock samples (i.e., Fontainebleau, Berea, and Sumatera sandstones) with block size of 256
3
voxels were used in this study. LBM was applied to calculate permeability of each smallest block (i.e., 64 and 128 voxels) as sub-blocks of the larger block (256
3
voxels). The calculated permeability will form analogue to hydraulic conductance networks. RGA were then applied to the networks for all three perpendicular directions using several RGA schemes, i.e., King, Karim–Krabbenhoft, Green–Paterson, and their combinations. It was shown that as the number of renormalizations increases, the average permeability decreases. The effective permeability calculated by combining RGA and LBM were lower than permeability of the single largest block. Karim and Krabbenhoft’s scheme produced mostly higher estimation than the others and closest to the true permeability. Degree of anisotropy is influenced by the initial block size prior to RGA scheme.