NETL's Geomechanics and Flow Laboratory is a multi-functional, state-of-the-art facility that performs a wide spectrum of geological studies and provides an experimental basis for modeling of various subsurface phenomena and processes. This includes, but is not limited to: long term (months or even years) exposure of geological samples to specific conditions (for example, CO₂ saturation of samples at elevated pressure and temperature); and the study of various geomechanical properties and behavior of fluids in the samples, including fluid-solid and fluid-fluid physical and chemical interactions. The laboratory has a wide range of tools and instruments to ensure a complete cycle of scientific studies: from preparation of representative samples, through the preliminary measurements of basic properties, to the advanced investigation of the processes of interest under simulated subsurface conditions.

Geologic Samples Preparation Equipment

Variable-speed coring drill, with 1.0-, 1.5-, 2.0-, and 4.0-inch diameter coring capability   EcoMet-3000 grinder-polisher with AutoMet-2000 power head (Buehler, Inc.) Secotom-10 precision cut-off machine with diamond wheels (Struers, Inc.)

Core Porosity Equipment

Helium porosimeter, HP-401 (TEMCO, Inc.) is able to measure core porosity as low as 1% with reasonable precision

Equipment for studying core morphology

“Spin Track 2-40” instrument (Resonance Systems Ltd.) uses principles of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) to assess pore size distribution in a sample Optical microscopes used for petrographic analysis of samples

Multipurpose Computer-controlled Servo-hydraulic Triaxial Test System Autolab 1500

Autolab 1500 unit (NER, Inc.) Dual purpose core holder assembly (for permeability and sonic velocity measurements) – ready to insert into the high pressure vessel Resistivity heads with a carbonate core between them

Capabilities of Autolab 1500:

• Storage capacity of geologic samples
• Permeability of tight or moderately permeable samples
• Elastic constants via strain gages and linear variable differential transducers (LVDTs)
• Sonic velocity and resistivity – unique “sonic/ resistive fingerprints” of the representative samples for remote “on-site” monitoring of subsurface fluid storage and motion.

Specialized gas permeameters

Ultraperm-500 flow-through unit (TEMCO, Inc.) for reservoir samples PDP-200 pulse decay unit for moderate/ low permeability samples

Flow-through unit for studying CO2-driven enhanced oil recovery (EOR)

The efficiency of oil displacement by CO2 can be enhanced either by thickening CO2 or by forming CO2-in-brine emulsions when injected into the reservoir

A set of static batch reactors for long term experimentation

Long term effects of injected fluids (for example, CO2) are studied on the properties of such subsurface materials as reservoirs, seals, and well cements at variable pressures/ temperatures.

CFS-839Z Water-Rock Flow-Through System

CFS-839Z flow-through system (CoreTest Systems, Inc.) is intended for measurements of relative permeability of immiscible fluids to study fluids displacement in reservoir rocks. It can also be used to study the flow through fractured seal materials such as wellbore cements or caprocks

Other Instrumentation
The laboratory also uses NETL's scanning electron microscope (SEM), ion chromatograph, x-ray diffractometer (XRD), computer-aided tomography (CT) scanner, as well as other traditional instruments for rock and mineral analysis. The variety of experimental capabilities of the laboratory provides a broad spectrum of possible applications, including, but not limited to: integrity of geological seals in the neighborhood of CO₂ injection; wellbore integrity; effect of injected CO₂ on the properties of coal seams; remote monitoring of subsurface fluids based on experimentally obtained unique “fingerprints” of the geological structure of interest; testing non-conventional methods of enhanced oil and gas production; studies of the pore structure of the constituent rocks for a better understanding of  interaction mechanisms.

For more information contact: T. Robert McLendon