MEMORANDUM

TO: Emre Arslan

FROM: Drake Wells
PETE 311 – 501
SUBJECT: Lab No 11: SURFACE TENSION AND DETERMNATION OF CAPILLARY PRESSURE
USING IMBIBITION DATA
DATE: 4/18/2023

“On my honor, Aggies do not lie they don’t cheat, or they don’t steal or even tolerate those who do.
I abided by the values outlined in the Aggie Honor Code.”

Attachment(s): Lab report

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 Lab 11: Surface Tension and Determination of Capillary Pressure Using Imbibition Data
Executive Summary:
The objective of this laboratory session is to use a tensiometer to measure and determine the surface
tension. In the second phase of this laboratory experiment, the aim is to determine the capillary pressure
of various core samples via a spontaneous imbibition experiment.
Surface tension is the force that exists at the boundary between two different phases of matter, such as a
liquid and a gas, due to the attraction between molecules of the same substance.
Interfacial tension refers to the force acting between the surface of two immiscible substances, such as
oil and water, at their boundary or interface. It is the measure of the degree of attraction or repulsion
between the two substances at their interface (Donaldson) and is expressed in units of force per unit
length.
Capillary pressure refers to the pressure difference that exists across the interface between two
immiscible fluids, such as water and oil, when they are in contact with a porous medium like a rock or
soil. It is caused by the intermolecular forces between the fluids and the solid surface of the porous
medium, which results in the fluids being drawn into the pores of the medium and creating a pressure
difference (Schon).
Capillary pressure measurement is a critical aspect of petroleum engineering, as it provides valuable
information about the behavior of fluids in porous rock formations. In the oil and gas industry, capillary
pressure data is used to understand how oil, gas, and water move through reservoir rocks, and to optimize
the recovery of hydrocarbons from these formations (Donaldson). Capillary pressure measurements are
essential for calculating important reservoir parameters, such as permeability, porosity, and saturation.
These parameters are used to estimate the amount of oil and gas that can be extracted from a given
reservoir, and to design effective production strategies.
Capillary pressure measurements are also important for understanding the effects of fluid-rock
interactions, such as wettability, which can impact the distribution of fluids in the reservoir and affect
production rates (Schon). By analyzing capillary pressure data, engineers can identify areas of the
reservoir that are likely to have higher or lower fluid saturation and optimize well placement and
completion strategies accordingly.

Discussion and Results:

Equipment used (refer to Appendix A)
Procedural steps used (refer to Appendix B)
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2 Pc k w ∅ A S w
Starting with Handy’s Equation: Qw2 = ( )t, where: 𝑸𝒘: the amount of water absorbed (in
μw
milliliters squared), 𝑷𝒄: the pressure difference across a curved interface (in atmospheres), 𝒌𝒘: the ease
with which water can flow through a material (in darcys), 𝛟: the fraction of a rock's volume that is empty
space, 𝐀: the area of the cross-section of a rock sample (in square centimeters), 𝑺𝒘: the proportion of
pore space that is filled with water, 𝝁𝒘: the resistance of water to flow - viscosity (in centipoise), 𝐭: the
duration of the imbibition process (in seconds)

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 2
2 Pc k w ∅ A S w 2
The slope, m = , so rearranging the expression for Pc gives: Pc =¿ m * μw / 2 k w ∅ A Sw
μw

Table 1 shows the dimensions/parameters of the core sample used in the imbibition experiment.
Table 1: Core Sample Parameters/Dimensions

Diameter (in) 1.0

Length (in) 1.5
Porosity 0.2
mdry (g) 40.37
mwet (g) 41.08
Kw (D) 0.12

The bulk volume Vb = pi/4 * d^2 * l = pi/4 * (1.0*2.54 cm) ^2 * 3.81 = 19.3056 cm^3.
Knowing Vb, Vp can be calculated for using: Vp = Vb * porosity = 19.3056*0.2 = 3.86 cm^3
After the imbibition steps are followed (in appendix B), Sw, the water saturation can be calculated:
Sw = (Mwet – Mdry) / Vp = 41.08 - 40.37 / 3.86 = 18.389%
Table 2: Readings Collected from Experiment

Time (s) Q (ml) Q2 (ml2)

10 0.1 0.01

60 0.2 0.04

140 0.3 0.09

Figure 1: Imbibed Volume (ml^2) vs time (s)

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 Q^2 (ml^2) vs Time (s)
0.1
0.09
f(x) = 0.000616279069767442 x + 0.00352713178294574
0.08
0.07
0.06
Q^2(ml^2)

0.05
0.04
0.03
0.02
0.01
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160
Time (s)

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Using the expression derived earlier Pc =¿ m * μw / 2 k w ∅ A Sw , where m is the slope of the plot shown
in Figure 1 (0.0006 ml^2/s), the capillary pressure Pc can be calculated: Pc =¿ (0.0006*1) /
(2*0.12*0.02*5.067^2*0.183885) = 0.01342 atm.

Based on Handy’s Equation and the expression for the capillary pressure Pc =¿ m * μw / 2 k w ∅ A Sw , it
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can be noted that capillary pressure increases with water viscosity, as well as m, which is the rate of
change at which imbibed volume increases with time. In other words, capillary pressure increases with
increasing imbibed volume and water viscosity, as it is directly proportional to these factors. Capillary
pressure is inversely proportional to permeability, porosity, cross sectional area, and water saturation.
To dig deeper into why, the capillary pressure increases with the imbibed volume of water because as
more water is imbibed into the porous medium, the interface between the water and oil phases shifts,
causing the effective pore size available for the water phase to decrease (Schon). This reduced pore size
means that the water phase is subject to a higher capillary pressure to move into and through the smaller
pores.
Water viscosity also plays a role in capillary pressure. The viscosity of water is a measure of its resistance
to flow. As water viscosity increases, it becomes more difficult for water to flow through the pores of the
porous medium, requiring a higher-pressure differential to overcome this resistance (Donaldson).
Therefore, as water viscosity increases, the capillary pressure required to move water through the porous
medium also increases.
Additionally, the interfacial tension between the two immiscible fluids also influences capillary pressure.
Higher interfacial tension between water and oil leads to a higher capillary pressure, making it more
difficult for water to displace oil from the porous medium.
With extra time, I wanted to explore some more history and background into how Handy’s Equation came
about. The equation was first derived by Handy in 1942 as a modification of Darcy's law to account for
capillary flow in a porous medium (Schon). Since its derivation, Handy's equation has been widely used
in the petroleum industry to model and predict fluid flow in reservoirs. It has also been used in other
applications such as groundwater hydrology and soil physics.

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Over time, modifications and extensions have been made to Handy's equation to account for more
complex fluid flow phenomena. For example, researchers have developed equations that incorporate the
effects of gravity and heat transfer on capillary flow (Donaldson). These modified equations are important
for understanding more complex fluid flow scenarios, such as those encountered in geothermal systems or
in oil recovery methods that involve the injection of heated fluids.
In recent years, advancements in computational fluid dynamics have allowed for the simulation of fluid
flow in porous media at a much greater level of detail. These simulations are used to optimize oil
recovery techniques and to better understand groundwater hydrology.

Conclusions:

 The bulk volume of the core sample was 19.3056 cm^3, the pore volume was 3.86 cm^3, and the
water saturation was 18.389%.
 The slope of the plot for the data gathered was 0.0006 ml^2/s, and the respective capillary
pressure using Handy’s equation was found to be 0.01342 atm.
 Capillary pressure increases with imbibed volume and water viscosity, and decreases with
permeability, porosity, cross sectional area, and water saturation.

References:
Tiab, D. and Donaldson, E.C. 2004 Petrophysics: Theory and Practice of Measuring Reservoir Rock and Fluid
Transport Properties, 2nd edition, Elsevier, New York.

Schon, J.H. 1996. Physical Properties of Rocks: Fundamentals and Principles of Petrophysics. 2nd edition,

Pergamon Press, New York.

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 Appendix A
Equipment Used:
 Tensiometer
 Water
 Wilhelmy plate
 Du Noüy ring
 Timer
 Water apparatus for imbibition:
 Coors filter funnel with a layer of coarse sand (20/40 mesh-size) on top of a filter paper
 10-ml buret connected to the funnel stem through Tygon tubing
 Cylindrical core (2 in. length)


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 Appendix B
Surface Tension Measurement:
 Use the tensiometer under the guidance of the TA to measure surface/interfacial tension.
 Record the measured value according to the instructions provided by the TA.
 Divide the class into groups of four students each.
 Assign each group the task of measuring the surface tension of water.
 Capillary Pressure
Determination Procedure Core Sample Characterization:
 Use a caliper to measure the core diameter, and then calculate the core's bulk volume
(Vb) and cross-sectional area (A) in cm2.
 Calculate the pore volume in cm3 (Vp) using the equation 𝑽𝒑 = 𝑽𝒃 ∗ 𝛟.
 Weigh the core on a scale to obtain its dry weight in grams (Mdry).
Imbibition Procedure:
 In the funnel, place the core on top of the sand layer.
 Pour water into the buret, ensuring that the water level in the funnel is slightly below the
sand's upper surface.
 Maintain a constant water level in the funnel throughout the experiment.
 Begin timing with a stopwatch.
 At 100-second intervals, determine the amount of water imbibed by subtracting the initial
water level from the current water level in the buret and recording the result in milliliters.
 To maintain a steady water level in the funnel, adjust the buret's vertical position.
 Record the total amount of imbibed water every 100 seconds until the imbibition process
comes to a halt (when the water level in the buret stabilizes).
 Following the experiment, weigh the core to determine its wet weight in grams (Mwet).
 Calculate the water saturation by applying the formula: 𝑺𝒘 = (𝑴𝒘𝒆𝒕 − 𝑴𝒅𝒓𝒚) / 𝑽𝒑.
Capillary Pressure Calculation:
 Plot the square of the imbibed volume (on the y-axis) versus time (on the x-axis) on
Cartesian paper.
 Draw a straight line passing through the points that best fit the data.
 Measure the slope of the straight line (m).