Abstract: A method, apparatus, and program product perform microstructure analysis of a digital image of rock using a trained convolutional neural network model to generate a plurality of rock features. The rock features can represent a pore space in the microstructure of the rock including pores and throats. In many implementations, a statistical process can be applied to the rock features to generate characteristics of the pore space which can be used in classifying the rock.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and program product perform microstructure analysis of a digital image of rock using a trained convolutional neural network model to generate a plurality of rock features. The rock features can represent a pore space in the microstructure of the rock including pores and throats. In many implementations, a statistical process can be applied to the rock features to generate characteristics of the pore space which can be used in classifying the rock.

Abstract: Methods of well treatment include modeling approaches that account for the effect of pore structure during well stimulation treatments. In one aspect, methods may include preparing a computer model of a porous medium; simulating an injection of a fluid into the computer model of the porous medium; measuring a pore-scale heterogeneity of the computer model of the porous medium, and designing a stimulating fluid treatment for the porous medium. Other aspects may include the development of a wellbore stimulation methodology that allows stimulation fluid breakthrough curves of differing formation samples to be plotted as a single curve that accounts for the varied pore structure of the respective samples.

Abstract: A method for estimating porosity of a rock sample comprises the steps of defining a total mineral content of a sample, determining relative volume fractions for each mineral and determining X-ray attenuation coefficients for the defined minerals. Then, a first X-ray attenuation coefficient for a synthetic sample combined from the same minerals with the same volume fractions but with no pores is determined. X-ray micro/nanoCT scanning of the sample is performed and a second X-ray attenuation coefficient for the rock sample is determined. Porosity can be calculated as for a sample filled with a gas, water or light hydrocarbons, so for a sample which pores are filled with heavy hydrocarbons, or other liquid/gases with X-ray attenuation coefficient comparable with X-ray attenuation coefficient for the rock sample or for the synthetic sample.

Abstract: Methods of well treatment include modeling approaches that account for the effect of pore structure during well stimulation treatments. In one aspect, methods may include preparing a computer model of a porous medium; simulating an injection of a fluid into the computer model of the porous medium; measuring a pore-scale heterogeneity of the computer model of the porous medium, and designing a stimulating fluid treatment for the porous medium. Other aspects may include the development of a wellbore stimulation methodology that allows stimulation fluid breakthrough curves of differing formation samples to be plotted as a single curve that accounts for the varied pore structure of the respective samples.

Abstract: A method for estimating porosity of a rock sample comprises the steps of defining a total mineral content of a sample, determining relative volume fractions for each mineral and determining X-ray attenuation coefficients for the defined minerals. Then, a first X-ray attenuation coefficient for a synthetic sample combined from the same minerals with the same volume fractions but with no pores is determined. X-ray micro/nanoCT scanning of the sample is performed and a second X-ray attenuation coefficient for the rock sample is determined. Porosity can be calculated as for a sample filled with a gas, water or light hydrocarbons, so for a sample which pores are filled with heavy hydrocarbons, or other liquid/gases with X-ray attenuation coefficient comparable with X-ray attenuation coefficient for the rock sample or for the synthetic sample.

Abstract: Method for determining wettability of porous materials comprises placing a sample of a porous material into a cell of a calorimeter and contacting the sample with a wetting fluid. A heat flow into the cell is continuously measured. Based on results of the measurement and taking into account a thermal effect of the fluid compression, a first wetting contact angle of pores filled with the wetting fluid is calculated. Then, a pressure in the cell containing the sample is increased starting from an initial value until pores of the sample are completely filled with the fluid. Then, the pressure is reduced to the initial value while continuously measuring of a heat flow into the cell. The method enables calculation of a second wetting contact angle for pores completely filled with the fluid and of a third wetting contact angle for pores free from the fluid.

Abstract: A water-soluble salt of a metal with a high atomic weight is selected as an X-ray contrast substance providing a selective ion-exchange reaction with a component. The salt has a general formula R+M?, where R+ is selected from a group consisting of Ba2+; Sr2+; Tl+; Rb+ . . . , and M? is selected from a group consisting of Cln; NOn; OHn; CH3COO, SO4; . . . in accordance with a standard table of inorganic substances' water solubility. The X-ray contrast substance is injected into a sample of a porous material. Upon completion of the selective ion exchange reaction a non-contrast displacing agent is injected into the sample. The sample is scanned by computer X-ray microtomography and spatial distribution and concentration of the component in question is estimated by analysis of the obtained computer tomographic image of the sample.

Abstract: A method for treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore is provided. The method includes providing a treatment fluid containing a viscoelastic surfactant having at least one degradable linkage, a hydrolysable material, and a pH control material, and injecting the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation. The pH control material may have a pH equal or greater than about 9 and may include a strongly alkaline material and an oxidizing agent.

Abstract: Method for determining wettability of porous materials comprises placing a sample of a porous material into a cell of a calorimeter and contacting the sample with a wetting fluid. A heat flow into the cell is continuously measured. Based on results of the measurement and taking into account a thermal effect of the fluid compression, a first wetting contact angle of pores filled with the wetting fluid is calculated. Then, a pressure in the cell containing the sample is increased starting from an initial value until pores of the sample are completely filled with the fluid. Then, the pressure is reduced to the initial value while continuously measuring of a heat flow into the cell. The method enables calculation of a second wetting contact angle for pores completely filled with the fluid and of a third wetting contact angle for pores free from the fluid.

Abstract: A water-soluble salt of a metal with a high atomic weight is selected as an X-ray contrast substance providing a selective ion-exchange reaction with a component. The salt has a general formula R+M?, where R+ is selected from a group consisting of Ba2+; Sr2+; Tl+; Rb+ . . . , and M? is selected from a group consisting of Cln; NOn; OHn; CH3COO, SO4; . . . in accordance with a standard table of inorganic substances' water solubility. The X-ray contrast substance is injected into a sample of a porous material. Upon completion of the selective ion exchange reaction a non-contrast displacing agent is injected into the sample. The sample is scanned by computer X-ray microtomography and spatial distribution and concentration of the component in question is estimated by analysis of the obtained computer tomographic image of the sample.