3D reconstitution of porous media from image processing data using a multiscale percolation system

The concept of multiscale percolation system (MPS) is proposed as a tool for the reconstitution of a 3D idealized pore space. The statistical properties of the MPS are generated on the basis of the size distributions of pores and solid particles of the porous medium under investigation that were obtained by microphotograph processing. The generation process is based on upscaling by means of renormalization. Renormalization is also used for computing MPS intrinsic permeability. The method is applied to a series of 23 reservoir sandstones which experimental permeability vary in a range 1:400. Permeability values computed according to the MPS model appear to be well correlated with experimental values. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.