Forming facsimile formation core samples using three-dimensional printing

摘要

Methods including providing an actual formation core sample; determining an internal anatomy of at least a portion of the actual formation core sample; determining a virtual 3D model of the external anatomy of the actual formation core sample in a computer readable format, wherein the virtual 3D model of the external anatomy of the actual formation core sample is represented by successive 2D cross-sectional layers; providing a 3D printer; transmitting the virtual 3D model of the external anatomy of the actual formation core sample to the 3D printer; and printing a facsimile core sample using the 3D printer, thereby replicating at least a portion of the external anatomy of the actual formation core sample.