Modern approaches to pore space scale digital modeling of core structure and multiphase flow

Abstract

In current review, we consider the Russian and, mainly, international experience of the “digital core» technology, namely – the possibility of creating a numerical models of internal structure of the cores and multiphase flow at pore space scale. Moreover, our paper try to gives an answer on a key question for the industry: if digital core technology really allows effective to solve the problems of the oil and gas field, then why does it still not do this despite the abundance of scientific work in this area? In particular, the analysis presented in the review allows us to clarify the generally skeptical attitude to technology, as well as errors in R&D work that led to such an opinion within the oil and gas companies. In conclusion, we give a brief assessment of the development of technology in the near future.

Keywords

• petrophysics
• pore space structure
• multiphase filtration
• computed tomography
• physical and mathematical modeling