Measurement of Absolute Permeability by Core Flooding

Rig

I. Permeability

Permeability is a property of a porous medium and is a measure of its ability to transmit

fluids. The measurement of permeability of a porous rock is a measurement of the fluid
conductivity of the particular rock material. Permeability represents a property of the
medium alone and is independent of the fluid. Measurement of the flow of fluid through
a sample in a particular direction yields permeability of the sample in that direction. The
permeability of a homogeneous, isotropic medium is the same everywhere, and in all
directions. However, real rocks are neither perfectly homogeneous nor isotropic.

The flow of fluid in porous media is governed by Darcy’s empirical expression of the
variables involved in flow. The expression was deduced from Darcy’s Law which states
that “the volumetric rate of flow per unit cross-sectional area of permeable medium is
directly proportional to the potential gradient, and inversely proportional to the viscosity
of the fluid. The coefficient of proportionality is permeability.

where

Q 𝑐𝑚3/𝑠
k darcies
A 𝑐𝑚2
∆𝑝 atm
cp
L cm
The use of liquids for permeability measurements eliminates the problem of gas
slippage, and at reasonable and usual flow rates, inertial resistance is generally
negligible. Thus, Darcy’s Law can be used directly to calculate permeability from a
single flow rate measurement.

II. Core flooding rig

It contains three main parts: the up-stream, the core block, and the downstream. The
upstream supplies relevant fluids to the core block using pumps. The core block
contains the porous media and often simulates the reservoir conditions, which could
include overburden pressure. The downstream collects the effluent from the core block.

Core flooding rig equipment is designed for core plug permeability measurements.
Single phase or multiphase liquid permeability measurements under reservoir pressure
and room temperature can be performed.
 Figure 1: Schematic of Laboratory Core Flooding Rig

First of all, a core sample is saturated with the fluid to be flowed. Then, this sample is
placed in a rock core holder with dimensions upon request. Once the core installed the
outer surface is pressurized to simulate the same pressure as it was in the reservoir and
then flooding follows.

Figure 2: High-Pressure Core holder

Upstream and downstream pressures are measured by manometers on both sides of

the core. A differential pressure manometer is also used to measure pressure difference
(dP) between inlet and outlet of the core plug for accuracy dP record. Liquid flow rate is
set directly from the pump.

At the end of the experiment, confining pressure is released, the end lugs and
distribution plugs are removed and the core sample is easily removed from the sleeve.
 III. Experimental Procedures for Absolute Permeability Measurement by Core
Flooding Rig

A. Core Mounting
i. Insert core in a sleeve corresponding to the diameter and length of the core
Note: O-rings on inlet and outlet should be greased ii.
Insert sleeve with core into the core holder and close the holder.

iii. Connect inlet flowline valve (400), outlet flowline valve (401), sleeve pressure valve
402 and PSV400 to the core holder.

B. Setting sleeve/confining pressure and leakage test

i. With the core in the holder, open valves from the container containing sleeve
pressure fluid (water). [Valves: 301 ➔ 302 ➔ 303 ➔ 402]. To be sure that
sleeve pressure line works perfectly valve 403 should be kept open and facing
upward

ii. Use HASKEL pump to pump liquid manually to the holder until liquid start coming
out of valve 403.

iii. Close valve 403, and continue pumping to fill containing pressure buffer vessel until
it is half or until PI 605 reads approximately 2 bars.

iv. Open Nitrogen gas line toward pressure buffer vessel. This is done by opening
valves 603 and increase pressure using pressure regulator 602 until PI605 reads
20bars.

Note: Make sure NCP (Net Confining pressure) is above 10 bar

NCP= Sleeve pressure – Line pressure (injection pressure)
v. Close valve 603 and return pressure regulator nob to its upper position (Close the
nob)
vi. Record pressure change on PI 605 and check for water leakage

Time Pressure (Bar)

(Minutes)

vii. Plot Pressure (bar) vs Time (minutes)

Note: If there is no any leakage in the system, pressure should remain constant.

C. Kw Determination (Darcy experiment)

i. Open valves along the line from the brine reservoir through water pump, core
holder, back pressure (PBSV 500) to the receiving container. [Valves: 101 (201
should be closed) ➔ 500 ➔ 501 ➔400 ➔ 401 ➔ 502 ➔503 ➔504 ]

ii. Set the back pressure by using Nitrogen gas line. Open pressure regulation nob
601 to a desired pressure (maximum 10 bars). PI 602 indicates the value of the
pilot back pressure in the system.

iii. Run the pump starting at a lower rate of 60 ml/hr, then increase to 120 ml/h
and record the pressure difference when the flow and pressure are stable.
Increase rate to 240, 360 and 480 ml/h.

Rate 𝑃𝑖𝑛 𝑃𝑜𝑢𝑡 ∆𝑃 = (𝑃𝑖𝑛 − 𝑃𝑜𝑢𝑡 ∆𝑃 𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑙

(ml/h)
iv. Plot Rate (ml/s) vs ∆𝑃 (atm)

v. Determine absolute permeability of the core sample.