Resolving pore-space characteristics by rate-controlled porosimetry

Journal Article · Wed Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Format. Eval.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2118/14892-PA· OSTI ID:6162107

Yuan, H H; Swanson, B F

By monitoring the mercury capillary pressure in rate-controlled porosimetry (intrusion) experiments, new information regarding the pore space of a rock sample has been obtained. With this technique, called an apparatus for pore examination (APEX), it is now possible to resolve the pore space of a rock sample into two interconnected parts. One part identifies the individual pore systems (pore bodies), which are low-energy sumps or regions of low capillarity. The other part corresponds to the pore throats that interconnect with pore systems. New capillary-pressure curves have been obtained by partitioning the total capillary-pressure curve (normal capillary-pressure curve) into two subcurves: the subison capillary-pressure curve, which details the distribution of pore bodies, and the rison capillary-pressure curve, which details the distribution of pore throats. The authors present APEX data on Berea sandstone and San Andres dolomite that show the volume distribution of low-capillarity regions within the pore space of these rocks. These regions of low capillarity are the principal pore-space regions that trap the residual nonwetting phase upon imbibition of a strongly wetting fluid, as measured by toluene/air systems. The residual nonwetting-phase saturations as determined by the APEX method and by the toluene/air method are in excellent agreement. Thus, the detailed volume distribution of pore systems responsible for trapped nonwetting-phase saturation is determined from APEX measurements, which can have important implications for EOR.

• Research Organization: Shell Development Co. (US)
• OSTI ID: 6162107
• Journal Information: SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Format. Eval.; (United States), Journal Name: SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Format. Eval.; (United States) Vol. 4:1; ISSN SFEVE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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AIR
ALKYLATED AROMATICS
AROMATICS
DATA
ENHANCED RECOVERY
EVALUATION
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FLUIDS
GASES
HYDROCARBONS
INFORMATION
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RESERVOIR PRESSURE
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TOLUENE