Simulation of carbonate rocks elastic properties using 3D X-ray computed tomography images based on discrete element method and finite element method

Standard analytical models that estimate effective elastic properties of porous media present some limitations in carbonate rocks. Indeed, carbonates can reveal very heterogeneous grains and pores structures produced by diagenesis at several scales. In this paper, we estimate the elastic properties of core plug samples from a Middle East carbonate reservoir using X-ray computed tomography scanner images. First, we simulate the elastic properties by solving the elasticity equation using the finite element method. Then, we use the discrete element method to investigate its ability to predict the elastic properties using a Hertzian and a Hookean contact models. Furthermore, in order to validate the numerical simulations we compared our results with experimental measures at ambient pressure. Simulations results show a relatively good agreement for samples with relatively homogeneous pore spaces distribution for both methods. However, a mismatch is revealed for the highly heterogeneous samples. Finally, we analyze and discuss both numerical simulations methods and provide possible future improvements.