Settle3D - A numerical generator for artificial porous media

Reservoir rocks, regardless of what kind (oil-, gas- or water-bearing), are classified by their specific properties. Most rock properties, such as storage, permeability, electric conductivity, heat capacity and so on are determined by laboratory experiments and field tests under different external conditions. Besides temperature, pressure and chemical reactions, also the geometry of the pore space as well as porosity control the specific behaviour of a rock. In most experiments, heterogeneous deformation of the pore space, changes in porosity and inner surface or closing of micro-cracks or pore-throats, cannot be observed directly. To study the dynamic processes behind these changes, we developed the sedimentary tool "Settle3D". With this software it is possible to generate different clastic rocks in a discrete way, which means that each grain inside this rock can be handled separately. The resulting porous medium can be directly used as import structure for different mechanical, hydraulic and thermal simulations. So the structural information of rocks can be linked to the petrophysical behaviour of porous media. To address these questions, we will present the development as well as the possibilities of "Settle3D". These include the generation of various 3D grainpacks, handling of input parameters (such as grain size distribution of different materials), sedimentary processes via direct collision procedures and an analysis of the final pore space geometry. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.