For different activities like building, mining, oil production, groundwater production and geothermal activities it is important to have knowledge about the rock and fluid properties of the subsurface. The focus of the reservoir engineering lab lies on the fluid and gas flow and containment in porous rocks, and more general: porous media. Areas of interest are oil and gas production, CO2 storage and groundwater flow. Beside rocks we can also consider other kind of porous materials as membranes and fuel cells.

In the reservoir laboratory, porosity and permeability of rocks are measured to find the reservoir's storage and flow properties. These measurements are used to determine the amount of oil and gas in the reservoir and what production rates can be obtained. With higher oil prices and less oil reservoirs to be found it becomes more relevant to do laboratory studies to investigate new methods for increased recovery. In these aforementioned measurements we mainly use a sandstone test rock. By injecting different liquids into the sample with a pump, such as saline mixtures and various types of oils, the sample's oil production can be determined. These measurements are done in a flood rig or 2D models.

A special lab is available for mud analysis, as part of drilling fluid analysis. In this sludge laboratory we can make different mixtures, for example water with Bentonite and water with Barytt. We also measure the density and viscosity, the sand content of the mixture, and we perform filter press tests.

In our reservoir engineering lab, open for students, staff and guest researchers, analytics can be performed for the characterization of reservoir rock, fluids and additives like enhanced oil recovery methods. We can study single and multiphase fluid flow through porous media at different scales, in 2D and 3D, and at different pressure and temperature conditions. We have a micro Ct scan available to perform pore scale imaging. A complete list of the available techniques and set-ups can be found in the link below. 

Roger Overå is the lab engineer of the reservoir laboratory:

- As an engineer in the reservoir laboratory, I procure consumables, instruments and equipment, build equipment, maintain equipment and guide when students have laboratory exercises. In addition, students need guidance in the laboratory as they complete the semester thesis and the master thesis. I also support PhD students who have experimental experiments.

You can visit us in S.P. Andersens vei 15A, PTS1, 3^rd floor.