Research
The Wolfson Multiphase Flow Laboratory was initially established to investigate the relative permeability characteristics of fault rocks. We have now conducted a significant amount of data on the relative permeability and capillary pressure of fault rocks through PhD studentships and Joint Industry Projects.
We currently have three JIPs that utilise the specialist facilities in these labs. These JIPs remain open to new sponsors. More information can be obtained by contacting Quentin Fisher.
Petrophysics of Tight Gas Sandstone Reservoirs (PETGAS) - Phase II open for new sponsors
The PETGAS JIP utilises the facilities in the Wolfson Multiphase Flow Laboratory to create a database on the petrophysical properties of tight gas sandstone reservoirs. Currently, the extensive database includes measurements of porosity, stress dependence of gas and brine permeability, microstructure, Hg-injection, quantitative XRD, NMR T2 distributions, electrical resistivity, relative permeability and capilliary pressure, stress dependency of Vp-Vs and stress dependence of permeability.
The project is sponsored by BG, BP, EBN, GDF Suez Shell, Wintershall and Aurelian. The results of this project are available on the password protected sponsor website.
Shale Permeability (SHAPE)
This JIP aims to improve the measurement and understanding of shale permeability by comparing permeability measurements using a range of standard techniques (steady state and pulse decay method on core samples and the GRI method) and developing and testing new experimental techniques designed to make rapid measurements of effective gas permeability at reservoir stress conditions both parallel and perpendicular to the shale lamination.
This project is sponsored by Chevron, EBN and Nexen. A project website will be available soon.
Fault Rock Petrophysics
New - project website now live. Click here for details.
This JIP aims to generate new data and understanding on the petrophysical properties of fault rocks essential for successful fault seal analysis. This project is generating high quality experimental data on the absolute and relative permeability of fault rocks and their stress sensitivity, assessing the impact of wettability alteration on the capillary pressure and relative permeability of fault rocks and assessing methods to model the relative permeability and capillary pressure of fault rocks using easy to derive measurements such as micro-CT scanning and Hg-injection.
In addition to these major research projects were have also initiated studies to:-
- Investigate the impact of temperature on wettability alteration in carbonates.
- Undertaken a study to measure the three-phase flow properties of tight gas reservoirs.
- Studied the impact of steam injection on fracture permeability.
- To measure the petrophysical properties of shale gas reservoirs.
- To measure the absolute and relative permeability of caprocks.
- Measured the impact of super-critical CO2 saturation on Vp and Vs.
We are also open to other suggestions. For example, we are keen to work with groups conducting numerical modelling of some of these issues. Indeed, our staff are already collaborating with other research groups conducting Lattice Boltzmann modelling of multiphase flow. So if you are interested in collaborating please feel free to contact us.
