Abstract
A few researches have been conducted to study effects of cryogenic treatment (known as thermal shocking) on unconventional rock properties, while they have been extensively studied in geothermal projects. The results show that cryogenic treatment significantly alters the rock mechanical properties by creation of new cracks owing to thermally induced stresses resulting in the permeability enhancement. In this laboratory study, effects of cryogenic treatment (thermal shocking) on permeability and dynamic elastic properties of three Wolfcamp core samples (one outcrop and two downhole samples) at downhole conditions were experimentally evaluated. Permeability and dynamic rock mechanical properties were measured before and after conducting each cycle of thermal shock. Using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis, the mineral compositions of the cores were determined. The results demonstrate that implementing the thermal shock technique on the core samples results in increasing their permeability and ductility.
Original language | English |
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DOIs | |
State | Published - 2020 |
Event | SPE Western Regional Meeting 2020, WRM 2020 - Bakersfield, United States Duration: Apr 20 2020 → Apr 22 2020 |
Conference
Conference | SPE Western Regional Meeting 2020, WRM 2020 |
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Country/Territory | United States |
City | Bakersfield |
Period | 04/20/20 → 04/22/20 |