Modeling the role of microporosity in flow in carbonates

We present a new object-based methodology for the reconstruction of microporous carbonate rocks based on calcite crystal fabrics observed in SEM images. The impact of microporosity on fluid flow through a carbonate reservoir rock is not fully understood, even though it is very important for assessing reservoir quality. This method will allow investigation into the influence of micropores, macropores and their interaction on fluid flow within a carbonate reservoir rock by adjusting geological textural properties such as micrite crystal size and spatial distribution, macropore size and spatial distribution, and macropore occlusion. By reconstructing various microporous carbonate rock fabrics, and simulation of fluid flow, it will be possible to examine the geologically controlled 'tipping points' in multi-phase fluid flow properties. Preliminary results suggest that the model is capable of capturing the heterogeneous structure of microporous carbonates as well as the variation in connectivity between different fabrics.