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Vertical-Horizontal Permeability Relationships for Sandstone Reservoirs

Article · August 2012

DOI: 10.2118/163011-MS

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SPE 163011

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Vertical-Horizontal Permeability Relationships for Sandstone Reservoirs
Philip C. Iheanacho, SPE, African University of Science and Technology; Djebbar Tiab, SPE, University of
Oklahoma; Alpheus O. Igbokoyi, SPE, African University of Science and Technology

Copyright 2012, Society of Petroleum Engineers

This paper was prepared for presentation at the Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition held in Abuja, Nigeria, 6–8 August 2012.

This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper have not been
reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material does not necessarily reflect any position of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, its
officers, or members. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of any part of this paper without the written consent of the Society of Petroleum Engineers is prohibited. Permission to reproduce
in print is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words; illustrations may not be copied. The abstract must contain conspicuous acknowledgment of SPE copyright.

Abstract The main objective of this work is to develop, semi-

One of the important petrophysical parameter in reservoir empirically, different correlations between vertical
description is the permeability distribution in a given permeability and horizontal permeability for sandstone
reservoir. It is well known that most reservoir are reservoirs. Log and core data are gathered and analyzed
heterogeneous in nature and homogeneous ones being the from a Niger-Delta sandstone reservoir. Different
few exceptions. Therefore, most reservoirs exist with parameters are plotted to show their correlation coefficient
different degree of permeability anisotropy and reservoir and the reliability of such correlation. A new and more
heterogeneity. accurate correlation for shaly formation is developed from
an analytical approach. This paper also discusses the
This work investigates the relationship between vertical and developed relationships and their applications.
horizontal permeability in sandstone reservoirs. Various
petrophysical properties were estimated from core and log Underlying Theory of Permeability
data obtained from a Niger-Delta sandstone reservoir. New Relationships
and improved correlations between vertical permeability,
horizontal permeability, effective porosity and shale It is well-documented in the literature that permeability of a
fraction were developed for the zones that were analyzed. formation depends on its grain size, grain distribution and
shape; pore throat size, distribution and shape; and clay
These correlations show that there is a strong relationship content, clay type and clay distribution.
between vertical permeability, horizontal permeability, Kozeny (1927) first developed the permeability-porosity
effective porosity, and shale fraction for the different zones relationship, which was then modified by Carman (1939).
that were analyzed and that these correlations are affected The modified Kozeny-Carman equation is
by the number of flow units in each zone.
!! ! !
!! ! (1)
Introduction !!!! ! !!" !! !!" !

Accurate representation and distribution of reservoir Where:

petrophysical properties is very important when building a ! = permeability
reservoir model. This helps in the analysis and prediction of !! = effective porosity
the reservoir performance. Vertical and horizontal !!" = 3-D pore shape factor
permeability distribution becomes important when reservoir
! = tortuosity
anisotropy and heterogeneity cannot be neglected. The
!!" = specific surface area per unit volume
presence of clay minerals in a formation also affects the
rock properties of that formation. The clay type, volume
fraction and morphology play an important role in Dividing the equation above and taking square root of both
controlling the formation properties. sides results in
2 SPE 163011

!!
! !! ! !!
!! (2) !! ! !! !! (6)
!! !!!! !!" !"!" !!

!
is called the mean hydraulic radius For shaly formation, applying the same concept applied in
!! the derivation of equation (4) to equations (6), the following
equation is obtained:
It was shown that the mean hydraulic radius can be

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correlated to various petrophysical parameter (Amaefule et !! !! !!!!!
!!

al., 1993). This led to the concept of hydraulic flow unit !! ! ! ! (7)
!!!!! !!
and rock typing.
Sample Field Case
Correlating the horizontal mean hydraulic radius with
vertical permeability yields the following relationship as Sandstone reservoirs are not as stress sensitive as carbonate
developed by Zahaf and Tiab (2002): reservoirs. There depositional processes mostly control
petrophysical properties. They are mostly not as
!!
!! heterogeneous as their carbonate counterparts are. They are
!! ! !! (3) relatively easier to characterize, since the effects of post
!!
depositional attributes are mostly negligible. Different
Where: relationships between vertical permeability and other
petrophysical parameters exist for sandstone formation.
A1 and B1 are constants.
Niger-Delta Sandstone Case
A New Permeability Relationship for Shaly The field was formed during the tertiary period and is made
Formation up of at least seven different reservoir facies with shale
intercalations. The facies were described from the core
For shaly formations, the clay content, clay type and clay
taken from the reservoir. The facies that where identified
distribution affect both the value of horizontal and vertical
include the transgressive sands, tidal channels, tidal flats,
permeability by reducing the pore volume and thereby
point bars, upper and lower shore faces. The reservoir is
reducing the effective porosity. Removing the effect of
layered and has vertical heterogeneity. The log data and
shale volume from the effective porosity gives the effective
drilling operation confirmed the presence of gas in the
porosity with respect to the sum of pore and matrix volume
reservoir. The porosity was calculated from core-calibrated
i.e.
well logs. Permeability was measured in the lab.
!!
!! ! ! The zone that was used for the analysis was easily identified
! ! !!! and characterized from wireline log and core data. The
depth of the zone ranges from 11850 ft. to 12150 ft. and is
Substituting into equation (3) gives: made up of at least seven different discrete rock types. The
!!
average grain density of the layers is 2.66 g/cm3. The
!! ! !!
!! !!!!!
(4) variation of vertical and horizontal permeability with depth
!! and effective porosity are shown in figures (1), (2), (3) and
(4) respectively. It could be seen from figures (1) and (2)
The effect of the clay type and distribution would affect the that both horizontal and vertical permeability generally
value of the two constants, hence, A1 and B1 becomes A2 and decreases with increase in depth. In addition, figures (3) and
B2 constants. (4) show a semi log relationship between effective porosity
and permeability in both horizontal and vertical directions.
Also, by multiplying both sides of equation 1 with !! and Combining both relationships in figure (3) and (4) yields a
taking square root of both sides results in: relationship between vertical and horizontal permeability.

! !! ! ! By plotting the vertical permeability and horizontal

!!! ! !! ! (5)
!! !!!! !!" !!!!!" permeability on a log-log graph, we obtain the following
correlation with a correlation coefficient of 0.9543 (see
Taking ! in equation (5) to be horizontal permeability and figure 5):
correlating vertical permeability with the product of
effective porosity and horizontal mean hydraulic radius !! ! !!!""#!!!!!"!" (8)
yields the following relationships:
SPE 163011 3

The range of the permeability anisotropy ratio (i.e. !! !!! ) !!

6. Plot of !! vs. ! ! !!! gave a better
is from 0.15 to 1.0 and is shown in the Figure (6). Figure (7) !!
shows the variation of effective porosity with the correlation coefficient than that of !!!! !"!! ! !
permeability anisotropy ratio. !!
!!! ! for the sandstone reservoir case.
!!
The variations of vertical permeability with other

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parameters are shown in Figure (8) through (13).

From figure (8) through (13), the following correlations are Acknowledgments
obtained:
The authors wish to thank the board and members of staff of
!!!!"" the African University of Science and Technology Abuja
!!
!! ! !!!"#$ (R! = 0.9389) (9) and the African Union for their financial support. Special
!!
thanks go to the Almighty God for the wisdom and strength
!!!"#$
that He gave for this work.
!! ! !!!"#$ !! !! (R! = 0.9334) (10)

!! !!!!! !!!"!# Nomenclature

!! ! !!!"#$ (R! = 0.953) (11)
!!

!!!"##
A, B = correlation constants
!! ! !
!! ! !!!"## (R! = 0.9293) (12) D = depth, ft.
!!!!!
F, f = pore shape factor, dimensionless
!!!"#$
!! ! !!!"#$ !! ! ! !!! !! (R! = 0.9445) (13) GR = gamma ray, API

!!
!!!!"# I = shale index, dimensionless
!! ! !!!"#$ ! ! !!!
!!
(R! = 0.9411) (14)
K, k = permeability, mD

The conventional vertical-horizontal permeability plot as V = volume, fraction

shown in figure (5) may not always yield meaningful ! = porosity, dimensionless
relationship, but equations (9) through (14) provide an
excellent method of analysis i.e. relating !! to !! by
including both porosity and shaliness of the formation. Subscripts

Conclusions cs = clean sand

The conclusions of this work are as follow: h = horizontal direction

1. Core and core-calibrated log data were gathered v = vertical direction

and used for the analysis and correlation of vertical e = effective
permeability with horizontal permeability and other
petrophysical parameters for sandstone reservoirs. ma = rock matrix

2. The permeability anisotropy ratio varies over a o = initial conditions

wide range for the Niger-Delta reservoir case that was p = pore
used for this study.
ps = pore shape
3. Vertical permeability can be estimated from
measured horizontal permeability and other sh = shale
petrophysical parameters.

4. Plot of !! vs.
!!
gave a better correlation References
!!

coefficient than that of !! vs. !!

!!
! !for the 1. Amaefule, J.O., Altunbay, M., Tiab, D., Kersey, D.G.
!! and Keelan, D.K., 1993. “Enhanced Reservoir
sandstone reservoir case. Description: Using Core and Log Data to Identify
5. A new vertical permeability correlation for shaly Hydraulic (Flow) Units and Predict Permeability in
formation is developed. Uncored Intervals/Wells”, SPE 26436, 1-16
4 SPE 163011

2. Carman, P. C., 1939. “Permeability of Saturated Sands,

Soils and Clays.” J. Agr. Sci., Vol. 29, Also, J. Soc.
Chem. Ind., pp. 57–58.

3. Iheanacho, P.C., 2011. Vertical-Horizontal

Permeability Relationships in Stress and Non-Stress

Downloaded from http://onepetro.org/SPENAIC/proceedings-pdf/12NAICE/All-12NAICE/SPE-163011-MS/1660253/spe-163011-ms.pdf by University of Oklahoma Libraries user on 08 October 2021

Sensitive Reservoirs, Unpublished MSc Thesis, African
University of Science and technology, Abuja

4. Kasap, E., 2001. Estimating kv/kh Ratio for Conductive

and Nonconductive Shales and Mudstones. SPE-68782.

5. Kozeny, J., 1927. “Über kapillare Leitung des Wassers

im Boden (Aufstieg Versikerung und Anwendung auf
die Bemasserung).” Sitzungsber Akad., Wiss, Wein,
Math- Naturwiss, KL, Vol. 136 (Ila), pp. 271–306.!

6. Tiab, D. and Donaldson, E. 2004. Petrophysics, second

edition. Oxford: Elsevier.

7. Zahaf, K. and Tiab, D. 2002. Vertical Permeability

From In Situ Horizontal Measurements in Shaly-Sand
Reservoirs, J Can Pet Tech 41 (8): 43-50. PETSOC-02-
08-01-P.
SPE 163011 5

Appendix 1)))))!
"#!$!&)1634736124387!

2*)))! 1))))!

!"#$%&'()"#*"&+,',-./(*0(
"#!$!%&'()*+,-./!(!&'()0!

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1)))!
2))))!
!"#$%&'()"#*"&+,',-./(*0(

1))!
1*)))!

1)!
1))))! "#!

1!
)! )61! )62! )6&!
*)))!
"6"%$!"()3#37,-.(

Figure 3- Variation of vertical permeability with effective

)! porosity for Niger-Delta sandstone case.
11*))! 113))! 114))! 121))! 12&))! 12*))!
0")-1/(2(
Figure 1- Variation of vertical permeability with depth for
Niger-Delta sandstone case.
1)))))!
"5!$!*326&7362*0*87!

1))))!
13#,435-&'()"#*"&+,',-./(*0(

2*)))!
"5!$!%&'()*+,-./!(!&'()0!
1)))!
2))))!
13#,435-&'()"#*"&+,',-./(*0(

1))!
1*)))!

1)!
1))))! "5!

1!
*)))! )! )61! )62! )6&!

"6"%$!"()3#37,-.(
)! Figure 4- Variation of horizontal permeability with effective
11*))! 113))! 114))! 121))! 12&))! 12*))! porosity for Niger-Delta sandstone case.

0")-1/(2(

Figure 2- Variation of horizontal permeability with depth

for Niger-Delta sandstone case.
6 SPE 163011

1)))))! 162!
"#!$!)62443"5 16)3)3!

9:!$!)64*;&! 1!
1))))!

)6<!

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!"#$%&'()"#*"&+,',-./(*0(

1)))!

8!981(
)60!

1))! )6;!

)62!
1)!

)!
)! )61! )62! )6&! )6;! )6*!
1! "6"%$!"()3#37,-.(

Figure 7- Variation of anisotropic permeability ratio with

effective porosity for the Niger-Delta sandstone case.
)61!
1! 1)! 1))! 1)))! 1))))! 1)))))!
13#,435-&'()"#*"&+,',-./(*0(

Figure 5- Variation of vertical permeability with horizontal 1))))))!

permeability for Niger-Delta sandstone case. "#!$!)6)*1&=-"5>87/261144!
9:!$!)64&<4!
1)))))!
!"#$%&'()"#*"&+,',-./(*0(

11*))! 1))))!
110))!
113))! 1)))!
11<))!
114))!
0")-1/(2(

1))!
12)))!
121))!
122))! 1)!
12&))!
12;))! 1!
12*))! 1! 1)! 1))! 1)))! 1))))!
)! )6*! 1! 16*!
=-"5>87/!
8!981(
Figure 8- Variation of vertical permeability with mean
Figure 6- Variation of anisotropic permeability ratio with hydraulic radius for the Niger-Delta sandstone case.
depth for the Niger-Delta sandstone case.
SPE 163011 7

1)))))! 1)))))!

"#!$!26&1;3=-"587/26)<1&! "#!$!1601<<C=?"587>-1%@A5/B261&;;!
9:!$!)64&&;! 9:!$!)6424&!
1))))!
1))))!
!"#$%&'()"#*"&+,',-./(*0(

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!"#$%&'()"#*"&+,',-./(*0(
1)))!
1)))!

1))!
1))!

1)!
1)!

1!
)61! 1! 1)! 1))! 1)))!
=-"587/! 1!
)61! 1! 1)! 1))!
Figure 9- Variation of vertical permeability with ! ! !! =?"587>-1%@A5/B!
for the Niger-Delta sandstone case.
Figure 11- Variation of vertical permeability with
!! !! ! ! ! !!! for the Niger-Delta sandstone case.

1)))))!
1)))))!
"#$!)6)31<=?"5-1%@A5/>87B26)4)1! "#!$!16)204D"5C=?87-1%@A5/BE16);12!
1))))!
9:!$!)64*&! 9:!$!)64;;*!
1))))!
!"#$%&'()"#*"&+,',-./(*0(

!"#$%&'()"#*"&+,',-./(*0(

1)))!
1)))!

1))! 1))!

1)! 1)!

1! 1!

)61! )61!
1! 1)! 1))! 1)))! )61! 1! 1)! 1))! 1)))! 1))))!
=?"5-1%@A5/>87B! "5=?87-1%@A5/B(
Figure 10- Variation of vertical permeability with Figure 12- Variation of vertical permeability with
!! ! ! !!! !!! for the Niger-Delta sandstone case. !! ! !! ! ! !!! for the Niger-Delta sandstone case.
8 SPE 163011

1))))))!
"#!$!)6123*?-1%@A5/=-"5>87/B26))0*!
9:!$!)64;11!
1)))))!
!"#$%&'()"#*"&+,',-./(*0(

1))))!

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1)))!

1))!

1)!

1!
1! 1)! 1))! 1)))! 1))))!

)61!
-1%@A5/=-"5>87/!
Figure 13- Variation of vertical permeability with
! ! !!" ! ! !!! for the Niger-Delta sandstone case.

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