Abstract: Systems and methods for visualizing fluid flows in a virtual reality (VR) environment are disclosed. A digital volume image representing a reservoir formation sample is obtained from an imaging device. The digital volume is segmented by assigning hydraulic properties of the formation sample to each volume element based on image properties associated with that volume element. Fluid flow is simulated using the segmented digital volume. A vector field representing flow properties at different points along one or more flow lines through the pore space is generated. An interactive visualization of a three-dimensional (3D) virtual environment representing the formation sample with the flow line(s) is provided via a VR display. Responsive to receiving user input specifying an area of the environment to view at a selected level of detail, the specified area is rendered at the selected level of detail and a current view of the interactive visualization is updated accordingly.

Abstract: A graphical representation of an image of a subterranean formation along with log properties of the formation provided in a single graphical representation. Logged formation property values are coded into graphic representations of images of the formation in order to provide a graphical representation which allows the user to visually perceive the formation images and the logged formation properties simultaneously. A method may include receiving an image of a formation, the image including image values based on the formation, and also receiving a log property of the formation, the log property including log property values based on the formation. The log property values of the formation are correlated to corresponding locations in the image. A transfer function with the image values and the correlated log property values as inputs is determined. Based on the transfer function, a joint graphical representation of the image and the log property is rendered.

Abstract: Systems and methods for visualizing fluid flows in a virtual reality (VR) environment are disclosed. A digital volume image representing a reservoir formation sample is obtained from an imaging device. The digital volume is segmented by assigning hydraulic properties of the formation sample to each volume element based on image properties associated with that volume element. Fluid flow is simulated using the segmented digital volume. A vector field representing flow properties at different points along one or more flow lines through the pore space is generated. An interactive visualization of a three-dimensional (3D) virtual environment representing the formation sample with the flow line(s) is provided via a VR display. Responsive to receiving user input specifying an area of the environment to view at a selected level of detail, the specified area is rendered at the selected level of detail and a current view of the interactive visualization is updated accordingly.

Abstract: A graphical representation of an image of a subterranean formation along with log properties of the formation provided in a single graphical representation. Logged formation property values are coded into graphic representations of images of the formation in order to provide a graphical representation which allows the user to visually perceive the formation images and the logged formation properties simultaneously. A method may include receiving an image of a formation, the image including image values based on the formation, and also receiving a log property of the formation, the log property including log property values based on the formation. The log property values of the formation are correlated to corresponding locations in the image. A transfer function with the image values and the correlated log property values as inputs is determined. Based on the transfer function, a joint graphical representation of the image and the log property is rendered.

Abstract: An example method includes acquiring two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) digital images of a rock sample. The method also includes iteratively analyzing property measurements collected throughout the digital images using different subsample sizes to identify a property distribution convergence as a function of subsample size. The method also includes selecting a smallest subsample size associated with the property distribution convergence as a representative elementary area or volume for the rock sample.

Abstract: A method for determining fabric and upscaled properties of a geological sample, such as a rock sample. A system for the method also is provided.

Abstract: A method and a system are provided to prepare a plurality of cuttings or other rock fragments or other porous media, such as cuttings from a drilling interval or multiple intervals, for computer tomographic scanning at the same time. A method and system also are provided to allow organization of mass quantities of cuttings or other rock fragments obtained from intervals of a well to more accurately categorize the cuttings to assist selections thereof for more detailed digital rock analysis, such as using SEM and FIB-SEM systems, are provided. A method and system also are provided to allow characterization of facies occurrence frequency of a depth interval using drill cuttings or other rock fragments. Computerized systems, computer readable media, and programs for performing the methods are also provided.

Abstract: An example method includes acquiring two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) digital images of a rock sample. The method also includes iteratively analyzing property measurements collected throughout the digital images using different subsample sizes to identify a property distribution convergence as a function of subsample size. The method also includes selecting a smallest subsample size associated with the property distribution convergence as a representative elementary area or volume for the rock sample.

Abstract: A method for determining fabric and upscaled properties of a geological sample, such as a rock sample. A system for the method also is provided.

Abstract: A method for increasing the accuracy of a target property value derived from a rock sample is described in which the sample is scanned to obtain a three-dimensional tomographic digital image which can be processed to pore space and solid material phases through a segmentation process. A process is used which revises the segmented volume, e.g., by increasing pore space connectivity, in a manner affecting the target property value that would be derived. Another described method increases the accuracy with which a segmented volume represents a material sample having structure not adequately resolved in an original three-dimensional tomographic digital image. Further, a system for performing the processes, and a segmented digital volume which more accurately represents a sample of a porous media, are described.

Abstract: A method is provided to allow characterization of rock or other types of samples using a sliver that is prepared to have a sample and optionally a plurality of thin discrete reference objects encapsulated by hardened encapsulant that surrounds the peripheral edges of the sample and any reference objects. Systems for performing the methods are also provided. An x-ray scannable sliver also is provided as a single unit that has a thin discrete sample and a plurality of thin discrete reference objects encapsulated by hardened encapsulant that encases the peripheral edges of the sample and reference objects.

Abstract: A method for increasing the accuracy of a target property value derived from a rock sample is described in which the sample is scanned to obtain a three-dimensional tomographic digital image which can be processed to pore space and solid material phases through a segmentation process. A process is used which revises the segmented volume, e.g., by increasing pore space connectivity, in a manner affecting the target property value that would be derived. Another described method increases the accuracy with which a segmented volume represents a material sample having structure not adequately resolved in an original three-dimensional tomographic digital image. Further, a system for performing the processes, and a segmented digital volume which more accurately represents a sample of a porous media, are described.

Abstract: A method is provided for efficiently characterizing rock traversed while drilling a borehole for hydrocarbon reservoir development. A rock sample can be obtained having a provenance of collection linked to a specific region of the borehole, which is scanned to obtain a 2D digital image that is segmented to pixels characterized as pore space and as mineral matrix and defining a boundary between them. A transform relationship, for example, a form of the Kozeny-Carman equation adapted for application to a 2D segmented image environment, can be applied to calculate the estimated value for a target rock property, which can be absolute permeability, relative permeability, formation factor, elasticity, bulk modulus, shear modulus, compressional velocity, shear velocity, electrical resistivity, or capillary pressure, and the estimated value is used to characterize the rock at that region of the borehole.

Abstract: A method for increasing the accuracy of a target property value derived from a rock sample is described in which the sample is scanned to obtain a three-dimensional tomographic digital image which can be processed to pore space and solid material phases through a segmentation process. A process is used which revises the segmented volume, e.g., by increasing pore space connectivity, in a manner affecting the target property value that would be derived. Another described method increases the accuracy with which a segmented volume represents a material sample having structure not adequately resolved in an original three-dimensional tomographic digital image. Further, a system for performing the processes, and a segmented digital volume which more accurately represents a sample of a porous media, are described.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a reservoir includes a multi-energy X-ray CT scan of a sample, obtaining bulk density and photoelectric effect index effect for the sample, estimation of at least mineral property using data obtained from at least one of a core gamma scan, a spectral gamma ray scan, an X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis, or an X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of the sample, and determination of at least one sample property by combining the bulk density, photoelectric effect index, and the at least one mineral property (e.g., total clay content). Reservoir properties, such as one or more of formation brittleness, porosity, organic material content, and permeability, can be determined by the method without need of detailed lab physical measurements or destruction of the sample. A system for evaluating a reservoir also is provided.

Abstract: A method for estimating effective atomic number and bulk density of objects, such as rock samples or well cores, using X-ray computed tomographic imaging techniques is provided. The method effectively compensates for errors in the interpretation of CT scan data and produces bulk densities which have lower residual error compared to actual bulk densities and produces bulk density—effective atomic number trends which are consistent with physical observations.

Abstract: A method is provided to allow characterization of rock or other types of samples using a sliver that is prepared to have a sample and optionally a plurality of thin discrete reference objects encapsulated by hardened encapsulant that surrounds the peripheral edges of the sample and any reference objects. Systems for performing the methods are also provided. An x-ray scannable sliver also is provided as a single unit that has a thin discrete sample and a plurality of thin discrete reference objects encapsulated by hardened encapsulant that encases the peripheral edges of the sample and reference objects.

Abstract: A method for increasing the accuracy of a target property value derived from a rock sample is described in which the sample is scanned to obtain a three-dimensional tomographic digital image which can be processed to pore space and solid material phases through a segmentation process. A process is used which revises the segmented volume, e.g., by increasing pore space connectivity, in a manner affecting the target property value that would be derived. Another described method increases the accuracy with which a segmented volume represents a material sample having structure not adequately resolved in an original three-dimensional tomographic digital image. Further, a system for performing the processes, and a segmented digital volume which more accurately represents a sample of a porous media, are described.

Abstract: A method is provided for efficiently characterizing rock traversed while drilling a borehole for hydrocarbon reservoir development. A rock sample can be obtained having a provenance of collection linked to a specific region of the borehole, which is scanned to obtain a 2D digital image that is segmented to pixels characterized as pore space and as mineral matrix and defining a boundary between them. A transform relationship, for example, a form of the Kozeny-Carman equation adapted for application to a 2D segmented image environment, can be applied to calculate the estimated value for a target rock property, which can be absolute permeability, relative permeability, formation factor, elasticity, bulk modulus, shear modulus, compressional velocity, shear velocity, electrical resistivity, or capillary pressure, and the estimated value is used to characterize the rock at that region of the borehole.

Abstract: A method and a system are provided to prepare a plurality of cuttings or other rock fragments or other porous media, such as cuttings from a drilling interval or multiple intervals, for computer tomographic scanning at the same time. A method and system also are provided to allow organization of mass quantities of cuttings or other rock fragments obtained from intervals of a well to more accurately categorize the cuttings to assist selections thereof for more detailed digital rock analysis, such as using SEM and FIB-SEM systems, are provided. A method and system also are provided to allow characterization of facies occurrence frequency of a depth interval using drill cuttings or other rock fragments. Computerized systems, computer readable media, and programs for performing the methods are also provided.