COVENANT UNIVERSITY, CANAANLAND, OTA.

PET 527 - PETROLEUM ENGINEERING LABORTORY II

EXPERIMENT 2: POROSITY DETERMINATION 1

(Using Porosimeter)

BY

ADEYEMI M. OLUWAFISAYO
15CN03211

DATE SUBMITTED: OCT-8-2020

PET 527 – ASSIGNMENT 2

ABSTRACT

The porosity of a reservoir is one of the main factors that establishes the viability of any oil and gas

reservoir, hence it is highly essentially to estimate the reservoir rock’s porosity. One way to do this is to

carry out experiments on core samples and analyze the results obtained thereafter. Another method is to

evaluate the well log data. Data obtained from log evaluation should, however, be compared with core

sample analysis. This is because the results obtained from core samples are more accurate as they are

usually devoid of any contamination.

This report contains information on how the experiment was performed employing the use of a porosimeter.

The porosimeter applies Boyle’s Law in its use. In this report, the procedure, results analysis, observations,

and conclusions are clearly outlined and explained.

Two core samples were provided

 Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 4

CHAPTER 2: EXPERIMENTAL APPARATUS & MATERIALS ........................................................................ 6
2.0 INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................. 6
CHAPTER 3: PROCEDURE ........................................................................................................................ 7
CHAPTER 4: RESULTS............................................................................................................................... 8
First sample ....................................................................................................................................... 8
Second Sample................................................................................................................................... 8
CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION ..................................................................................................................... 10
REFERENCES .......................................................................................................................................... 11
 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

A rock’s capacity to store fluids is known as the porosity of the rock. It is a very important reservoir

rock property. A reservoir rock is a porous medium. A reservoir rock with a good porosity will contain

many reservoir fluids. The porosity of a rock can be determined either by core sample analysis or by

analysis of well logs. The porosity of a rock sample is expressed mathematically as:

Pore Volume
𝜙= Bulk Volume

It is computed either as percentage of the form of a fraction.

Theoretically, the largest porosity value a reservoir rock can possess is 48% for minimum packing.

Practically, it ranges from about 1% in granite to about 50% in clay, for regular sandstone reservoirs,

the values lie between 15% to 25%. The porosity value of a rock is required in order to compute the

STOIIP. Porosity can be classified into the following three categories based on the formation:

1. Primary porosity: This is developed in the initial stages of deposition & diagenesis of the rock

formation. It is also called original porosity. The intergranular pore nature of sandstones and the

intercrystalline porosity of limestones are examples of primary porosity.

2. Secondary porosity: This type of porosity is formed in post depositional rock processes. It is sometimes

referred to as induced porosity. An example is fractures found in shale and dissolution cavities found in

limestone formations. Rocks with primary porosity tend to be more homogenous in nature.

On the basis of pore interconnectivity, porosity can be classified as:

1. Absolute porosity

This is the ratio of the total pore volume to the bulk volume of the rock. It is expressed mathematically

as:

Total Pore (Interconnected and Isolated)Volume

𝜙𝑎 = Bulk Volume
 Bulk Volume − Grain Volume
𝜙𝑎 =
Bulk Volume

2. Effective Porosity

This is the ratio of interconnected pore spaces to the bulk volume of the rock. It is given mathematically

as:

Interconnected Pore Volume

Effective Porosity, ϕe = Bulk Volume

This is the most important porosity value for use in the computation of STOIIP. Only the hydrocarbons

in interconnected pore spaces are recoverable.

STOIIP is given by the following two formulas in ft3 and barrels respectively.

PV = 43,560 Ah𝜙𝑒 ft3

PV = 7,758 Ah𝜙𝑒 bbl

Figure 1: Different porosities in a reservoir rock

 CHAPTER 2: EXPERIMENTAL APPARATUS & MATERIALS

2.0 INTRODUCTION

In this experiment, the following equipment were used:

• core porosimeter: This is used to measure the porosity of the core sample

Figure 2: porosimeter

• vernier caliper: this is used to measure the diameter of the core sample.

Figure 3: Vernier caliper

• core plug: this is a piece of the reservoir rock that is obtained for analysis.

Figure 4: Core sample

 CHAPTER 3: PROCEDURE

This experiment was carried out in the following steps:

1. Before the experiment started, I put the valves in a vertical orientation

2. I made sure that the regulator in the front panel was turned completely clockwise.

3. I put on the porosimeter and made it to heat for about 5-10 minutes.

4. After that, I measured the dimensions of the core using the vernier caliper.

5. Following that, I unscrewed the holder and put the core sample after which I screwed it back.

6. I then twisted the P2 test valve to the off orientation.

7. After that, I turned the regulator clockwise till the pressure was about 180psi.

8. Following that, I put the P1 lock in valve to the off orientation and allowed P1 to settle before I recorded

the value.
 CHAPTER 4: RESULTS
Grain Volume Calculation

At first reading, Vg= 10.47-4.15 = 6.32

At second reading, V= 10.32 – 4.11 = 6.21

At first reading, Vg = 11.16 - 4.31 =6.85

At second reading, Vg= 11.62-4.31=7.31

Bulk Volume Calculation

Vb = (πD*D*L)/4

At First reading, Vb = 15,473

At second reading, Vb = 13,428.74

At First reading, Vb = 20962.8

At second reading, Vb = 20739.45

Using Porosity = (Bulk Volume-Grain Volume)/(Bulk Volume)

First sample

At First reading, Porosity = 0.999592

At second reading, Porosity = 0.999538

Second Sample

At First reading, porosity = 0.999673

At second reading, Porosity = 0.999648

 Gas Expansion
S/N Advantages
1 Because Helium gas is inert and clean, it does
not cause unwanted rock-fluid interactions that
may affect or change the porosity
2 Because gas molecules (Helium) are relatively
small and can penetrate the small pores, Very
accurate results are obtained in normal porosity
cores
3 Porosity measurements can be completed in a
short time
4 Helium has a high diffusivity and therefore
affords a useful means for determining porosity
of low permeability rocks.
5 Can be used for irregularly shaped core samples
Gravimetry
S/N Advantages
1 methods often do not require expensive
equipment
2 If the methods are followed very carefully, can
result in very precise analysis
3 Regularly shaped samples can be used
4 Can even be used to calibrate equipment
5 Relatively simple method.
Disadvantages
It is an expensive method
Method might lead to inaccurate result for very
low permeability samples that require fairly
long time to reach equilibrium
It is slightly more complex to run
There is a risk oh encountering high gas
pressures
Inaccuracy can arise small samples compared
to large.
Disadvantages
Core not reusable because of destructive mode
of testing
Difficulty in judging how much excess fluid to
remove from the surface of the plug
Very likely to overestimate Bulk Volume
Careful core preparation is needed
Samples need to be fully saturated in the
saturating fluid
 CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION
The porosimeter measures the porosity quickly. The porosity value obtained from the experiment
calculations was 99.9% for the core plug provided.
 REFERENCES

1. American Heritage Dictionaries. (2011). The American Heritage Dictionary of the

English Language, Fifth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
2. OFI Testing Equipment, Inc. (2015, 10 12). BLP-530 Gas Porosimeter. Instruction
Manual. Houston, Texas, U.S.A: OFITE.
3. Peter, C. M., & Kersey, D. G. (n.d.). Development Geology Reference Manual.
4. Schlumberger oilfield glossary. (n.d.). the oilfield glossary. Retrieved from
schlumberger oilfield glossary:
http://www.glossary.oilfield.slb.com/Terms/c/core_plug.aspx
5. Schlumberger Oilfield Glossary. (n.d.). The oilfield glossary. Retrieved from
Schlumberger oilfield glossary:
http://www.glossary.oilfield.slb.com/Terms/p/porosimeter.aspx
6. Torsaeter, O., & Abtahi, M. (2000). Experimental Reservoir Engineering Laboratory
Workbook. Norwegian.