Proceedings of the NMR USERS MEETING
PROCEEDINGS OF THE 19ᵗʰ NMR USERS MEETING - Vol.2 2023

Matrix acidization is a widely used technique in oil reservoirs that involves the application of acid to rocks, creating pathways called wormholes that enhance fluid flow. However, there is still a need for comprehensive information about the characteristics of these wormholes. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has emerged as a valuable tool in this field. However, the evaluation of wormholes and fluid dynamics in acidized rocks has been challenging due to the limitations of conventional techniques in providing spatial information. In this study, we propose advanced MRI imaging methods to address this challenge and provide valuable insights into porous media. Our focus is on both static and dynamic analyses of these media. We can extract detailed information about rock morphology by employing state-of-the-art image analysis techniques, specifically identifying and characterizing wormholes. Additionally, we have developed novel methods to investigate fluid flow within the rocks, enabling the generation of velocity maps that offer a better understanding of flow patterns within the wormholes. These findings demonstrate the significant potential of MRI in studying porous media, providing unique insights into fluid dynamics, particularly in wormholes. Our results not only confirm the hypothesis that MRI imaging can significantly contribute to the study of porous media but also highlight its distinct advantages compared to other established techniques. The spatial information provided by MRI complements and, in some cases, surpasses the capabilities of conventional methods, making it an invaluable tool for understanding fluid behavior in porous media, particularly in the context of wormhole formation by matrix acidization.