Transport properties of rocks from statistics and percolation

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · J. Int. Assoc. Math. Geol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00897237· OSTI ID:6147301

Gueguen, Y; Dienes, J

Two simplified microstructural models that account for permeability and conductivity of low-porosity rocks are compared. Both models result from statistics and percolation theory. The first model assumes that transport results from the connection of 1D objects or pipes; the second model assumes that transport results from the connection of 2D objects or cracks. In both cases, statistical methods permit calculation of permeability k and conductivity sigma, which are dependent on three independent microvariables: average pipe (crack) length, average pipe radius (crack aperture), and average pip (crack) spacing. The degree of connection is one aspect of percolation theory. Results show that use of the mathematical concept of percolation and use of the rock physics concept of tortuosity are equivalent. Percolation is used to discuss k and sigma near the threshold where these parameters vanish. Relations between bulk parameters (permeability, conductivity, porosity) are calculated and discussed in terms of microvariables.

• Research Organization: Ecole et Observatoire de Physique du Globe, Strasbourg (France)
• OSTI ID: 6147301
• Journal Information: J. Int. Assoc. Math. Geol.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Int. Assoc. Math. Geol.; (United States) Vol. 21:1; ISSN IMGJB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

58 GEOSCIENCES
580203* -- Geophysics-- Geophysical Survey Methods-- (1980-1989)
CRACKS
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
DIFFUSION
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
GEOLOGIC FRACTURES
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
GRANITES
IGNEOUS ROCKS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MICROSTRUCTURE
ONE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
PERMEABILITY
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PIPES
PLUTONIC ROCKS
POROSITY
PROBABILITY
RANDOMNESS
RESERVOIR ROCK
ROCKS
SANDSTONES
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
STATISTICAL MODELS
SURVEYS
TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS