Comparison of the Petrography and Petrophysical Parameters of Fontainebleau Sandstone

Abstract

Characterizing and understanding porous media is essential prior to standardized core-flow experiments, to investigate oil mobilization on a single-mineral porous medium with a limited permeability/porosity band width, and a homogenous pore- and grain-framework. Literature shows that one almost pure quartz horizon in the Fontainebleau sandstone meet these preconditions. Fresh samples were gathered from the “Gres de Fontainebleu and Cie” Quarry. Knowing the depositional environment and burial history, we measured and quantified spatial attributes of the matrix by CTS image analysis, associated stereological measurements, statistical 2D/3D reconstructions and petrophysical laboratory measurements. Permeability, porosity, capillarity, specific surface, pore framework and pore coordination number distribution were measured and compared with literature. This new database provides a comprehensive review on the Fontainebleau sandstone from micro-scale to meter scale for a porosity bandwidth of 0.05 – 0.11 and permeability bandwidth of 10 – 400 mD. The combined measurements, petrophysical and spatial properties support, are used for prediction, modeling and interpretation of comparative core-flow experiments meant for oil mobilization by chemical injections (surfactant & solvent), i.e. chemo-physical interaction of rock/fluids and multi-phase fluid/fluid adsorptions. Similarly, mapping the pore framework helps modelling the mobilization and transport of the oil from mm-scale to m-scale.