Technique and test fixture to conduct flow testing simulating a gravel pack in a lab environment at downhole conditions

A rock core flow test system, comprising:

• a pressure vessel;
• a test gravel pack assembly positioned within the pressure vessel, the test gravel pack assembly including:
• a gravel pack simulation lab fixture, including:
• a housing having first surface and a second opposing surface, the first surface and second opposing surface defining a thickness that simulates a desired downhole gravel pack thickness;
• an opening extending entirely through the housing from the first surface to the second opposing surface, the opening having a diameter that simulates a desired downhole wellbore casing perforation diameter;
• and
• a proppant screen coupled proximate the first surface and over the opening;
• a wellbore test structure surrounding the gravel pack simulation lab fixture;
• and
• a rock core sample having a pore axial end and a wellbore facing end, and further wherein the wellbore facing end is in contact with the second opposing surface;
• a first high pressure accumulator coupled to the pressure vessel and in fluid communication with the pore axial end of the rock core sample;
• a second high pressure accumulator coupled to the pressure vessel and in fluid communication with the wellbore facing end of the rock core sample;
• and
• a pressure sensor coupled to the pressure vessel to measure changes in pressure to one or both of the first high pressure accumulator or the second high pressure accumulator.

A method of performing a rock core flow performance test, comprising:

• positioning a test gravel pack assembly within a pressure vessel, the test gravel pack assembly including:
• a gravel pack simulation lab fixture, including:
• a housing having a first surface and a second opposing surface, the first surface and the second opposing surface defining a thickness that simulates a desired downhole gravel pack thickness;
• an opening extending entirely through the housing from the first surface to the second opposing surface, the opening having a diameter that simulates a desired downhole wellbore casing perforation diameter;
• and
• a removable proppant screen coupled proximate the first surface and over the opening;
• a wellbore test structure surrounding the gravel pack simulation lab fixture;
• and
• a rock core sample having a pore axial end and a wellbore facing end, and further wherein the wellbore facing end of rock core sample is in contact with the second opposing surface;
• increasing a pressure applied to the pore axial end of the rock core sample to a first pressure, wherein the first pressure is greater than 15,000 pounds per square inch (PSI);
• increasing a pressure applied to the wellbore facing end of the rock core sample to a second pressure greater than 15,000 pounds per square inch (PSI);
• creating a pressure differential between the pressures applied to the pore axial end of the rock core sample and the wellbore facing end of the rock core sample, the pressure differential inducing fluid flow between the pore axial end and the wellbore facing end and through the opening;
• capturing an overflow of a fluid that flows through the rock core sample, the opening, and the removable proppant screen after the creating the pressure differential;
• weighing the overflow of the fluid;
• and
• determining a first flow volume of the fluid through the rock core sample based on a weight of the overflow of the fluid.

A test gravel pack assembly, comprising:

• a housing having a first surface and a second opposing surface, the first surface and second opposing surface defining a thickness that simulates a desired downhole gravel pack thickness;
• an opening extending entirely through the housing from the first surface to the second opposing surface, the opening having a diameter that simulates a desired downhole wellbore casing perforation diameter;
• a proppant screen coupled proximate the first surface and over the opening;
• and
• a rock core sample having a pore axial end and a wellbore facing end, and further wherein the wellbore facing end of the rock core sample is in contact with the second opposing surface.