Prediction of Formation Compaction from Laboratory Compressibility Data

DIRK TEEUW

KOtWNKLIJKE SHELL EXPLORATIEEN PRODUKTIE LABORATORIUM RIJSWIJK, THE NETHERLANDS

ABSTRACT
This reservoir /riable Core paper presents a new, simple behavior is both and inexpensive realistic and by in cemented nowadays

such reservoirs disregarding lateral (z according compaction the actual theory of elasticity amounts to
~z = cm

deformations, to the linear

laboratory

testing compaction

procedure

for simulating

A>. . . . . ......

rocks. compaction measured

where

various types and triaxial shortcomings displacement experimental nonlinear A

of equipment: Each cells. in the

oedometer, hydrostatic method has its own

of

reproduction

subsurface o{ by tricks. wbicb tbe the

compaction coefficient cm = uniaxial Ap = reduction in pore fluid pressure. This uniaxial compaction is furthermore related to the hydrostatic bulk deformation by the formula

conditions; interpretation complicated data is /urtber compaction uniaxial ,,. enables compaction behavior expression o~ porous is derived

cm-3

_A

theoretical

l+V ()
1-,

(l_p)cb

,.

.,...

(2)

interrelates . . and wbzcb reservoir compaction types Based compaction developed. independent of oedometer

and hydrostatic compaction, , J:-..: -- / ~,~e ;m. .- ..,. qif,, l~e preULLLLUU j from hydrostatic cell

in which

Cb

rock on

is veri{ied /or various data. This relation measurements in by comparative cells. these results,

v = Poissons ratio of the rock = rock bulk compressibility the ratio of rock p = cma/c~, rock bulk compressibility. reservoirs
Cma << Cb,

matrix

to

and hydrostatic measurement In addition, evaluation

For such compaction

a new

triaxial

cell-type

/or friable rocks has been this method p?OUideS G= of Poissons ratio.

negligible influence f3 can be calculated

J2 afiu ma For deteunining

showing a measurable and the factor (1 ~) has a the value of on Cm. Otherwise from experimental data on Cb in the laboratory there are

cm

INTRODUCTION In order to predicr the compaction behavior of reservoirs due to reduction in pore fluid pressure, to know the compaction or necessary is it compressibility characteristics of the reservoir rock. This paper is concerned with the laboratory measurement of compaction properties of hard and friable rock, allowing for the reservoir boundary conditions. In a theoretical analysis, Geertsmal has siiowii --...:~f ~eSerVOirS depends on cOtiipiULIUL1 that the reservoir geometry and that reservoirs which show large lateral dimensions compared to their (vertical) thickness deform mainly in the vertical plane. For
Original manuscript received in Society of Petroleum Engineers

two possible methods: 1. direct measurement by using equipment which simulates the reservoir boundary condition of zero lateral displacement. There are two ways of doing this, the familiar oedometer cell test, and a modified deformation of triaxial cell test in which lateral appropriate prevented by the sample is the adjustment of the lateral stress. In addition, this triaxial method enables an independent evaluation of v. 2. indirect measurement by measuring cb under hydrostatic load and estimating v. in view of the Eq. 2, h-h~vi~r --- of potous rock,2 i3iiiStiC ----noniiiiear which is derived for linear elastic behavior, has to be generalized. This paper reports on an investigation into which one of these different methods provides the most data for the evaluation of realistic compaction the in-situ reservoir compaction. For this purpose, experimental techniques are analyzed in detail, testing procedure which and: as a result, a laboratory enables the determination of realistic laboratory compaction data, is recommended.
263

office July 30, 1970. Revised manuscript received March 8, 1971. (SPE 2973) WaS presented at SPE 45th nua~ all paper Meeting, held in Houston, oct. 4-7, 1970. c Copyrght 1971 ?vletallurgica$? and petroleum American Institute of Mining, Engineers, Inc. lRefermces given This will paper will at end of PaPer. in Transactions volume 251, which

be printed

cover

1971.

SEPTEMBER,

1971

7-C=

FIELD AND LABORATORY LOADWG CONDITIONS The frame of a porous reservoir rock is frequently

stresses Moduli

As a result the elastic are different. also become different and the rock. behaves under the applled load, mechanically anisotropic even though it was isotropic uncle-r the hydrostatic load, taken and in the translation into acCOunt. this difference must be

loaded in the vertical plane by the weight of the stress IS usually overburden; the horizontal frame fluid unknown. In the pores a certain. reservoir If during production of reservoir pressure exists. fluids the Pore luid pressure ~ere~~re~~ stress, I.e., vertical effective between overburden increases pressure, compact. Though the frame complicated stress pressure and the stress tensor, and rese~voir fluid IS able to reservoir by a due

In theoretical studies on Mindlin,8 mechanical DereSleWICZ beh~vlo.r O: granular model packings, at elastic parameters which and Brandt 1 arrive For consolidated depend exponentially on stress . . are rocks similar empirical, exponential relatlons 2 Introducing given by Geertsma5 and van der Knaap. elasticity into the general theory of exponential elasticity but assuming constant for all loading relationship (Appendix that POk conditions, .. A)
SOflS

may be represented the internal stress

we arrive

ratlO,

at the

V,

1S

is a simple scalar quantity, to pore fluid pressure in every direction. i.e., it has the same magnitude The studies by Gassmannt3 ~ot~ ~~~~~~mas of van der fiaap2 resulted In and the that demonstrated They poroelasticity. depends only on the effective compaction behavior between external i.e., the difference frame stress, Therefore, to simulate stresses. internal and reservoir compaction in a laboratory experiment, It only requires the application of the stress difference Thus, experimentally instead of the actual stresses. .L: ___ 1,.-,-1 the SWrn.#eS the Most attractive approacn IS LU W. ..keeping the pore fluid pressure constant externallY, . . and atmospheric. Consequently are simulated effective stress (2) an increase by the reservoir /oading (1) reproduction of cond!tlons the orlglnal

cz=+(~v) e
which relates the uniaxial hydrostatic
hydrostatic

. .

(4)

compaction, pressures.

to the compaction, (Z, at equal uniaxial and e, actually a This is

to hold generalization of Eq. 2, which also appears behavior. (Strictly speaking, for nonlinear elastic this is only true for the condition of constant, atmospheric POre Press,ure--.lf. h! ore, !~e~s~~~ effects are neglected, [1 -~) 1s droPPea lronl = ). equation, which is justifiable as long as ~~ ~> cma and A similar expression for c~mpresslblllty by Gassmann,3 elasticity moduli, as given earner . . was derived for small stress and strain ,lncrements Over these increments the elastic coefficients were considered constant. The present derivation shows that the relation holds theoretically however large the stress increments may be. ANALYSIS
OEIXWIETER TEST

field at atmospheric pore pressure; of the effective external vertical

pressure equal to the pore pressure reduction in the and (3) the condition of zefo actual reservoir; lateral deformation, or its equivalent change m effective lateral stress. TRANSLATION OF HYDROSTATIC UNIAXIAL COMPACTION In hydrostatic tests the loading INTO are

OF MEASUR~G

METHODS

conditions

quite different . . from. those r. prevailing the reservoir. -1> _...J~-~ in+k- hvrlrostatic Hence for apphcatlon to rlelu SLUU,==, . .. . ... . . . . . . allowing for compaction data need to be translated these different conditions. For isotropic bodies of linear elasticity (Hookes law) the translation is given by Eq. 2. However, the strains generally do not for porous media, 2,6,7 In general, the depend linearly on stress. compaction, e, 1s volumetric hydrostatic the empirical exponentially related to stress, ~g, data being represented by the relatlons2

1) the sample is loaded In the oedometer (Fig. vertical direction, and the uniaxiallY in the height (volume) is change in corresponding --- .I,rt=cl. The rigid cylinder wall prevents later+ ,,L&e...-. --deformation of the sample. In this test the reservoir loading conditions are met reasonably well, provided by the use of thin sidewall friction is mi~lmized so that the uniaxial compaction data can samples, be applied directly to field studies. The accuracy of the experimental data is by the shape of the sample in two ways: 1. The upper and lower surfaces of to the must be flat and perpendicular will result surface, as any deviation influenced the .sarnple cylindrical in setting

e=a

Ue~
are

-o
empirical

constants

(3)

where u and n

for a given

rock. This means that the elastic modull of porous media are stress-dependent as well. For lsotroPlc rock under hydrostatic 10a~r~g t~~ee~~~~~~o~~ as equal in all directions, and the rock will test. In uniaxial
264

effects with too large compaction over the low pressure range of the test. must fit precisely into the 2. The sample _. oedometer. otherwise the requirement of zero lateral deformation will not be met. sands 11 - 13 the method For clays and loose with no difficulties being works satisfactorily, For samples. the shaping over encountered consolidated
sOCIETY

remain isotropic in the hydrostatic loading the vertical and lateral

rock it is very difficult

OF PETROLEUM

to avoid

a gap,

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be it small, between sample and cylinder wall. If there is a gap on loading, the lateral Stes~~~ become uncontrollable. In friable rock even res.ultmg in grain cementation can be destroyed: disintegration of the rock. Due to this disturbance of the sample, interpretation of the results In terms of formation compaction becomes uncertain. So in spite of the realistic loading conditions, the Oedometer test is not an attractive method of on friable rock; as for measurements taking well-consolidated rock the results depend on the precise shape of the samPle.
TRIAXIAL LATERAL TEST WITH ZERO DEFORMATION

cylindrical oedometer too large

. . as in the Any devlatlons, result in setting effects with over the low pressure range. B) the ratio of lateral to In theory (Appendix vertical stresses is
surface. will test, compaction

H =(~v)
z

I/n -

(5)

The triaxial test (Fig. 2) is used in the main to the strength of porous media under determine various conditions of stress. 145 The vert~cal and lateral stresses can be varied independently. The sample is enclosed by an elastomer sleeve which acts as a flexible, impermeable wal! around the rock. Really this is a biaxial test In three lateral behavior being assumed dimensions, isotropic. conditions in the l-. In.. r loading A ...LL. ~eservoir anY lateral deformation of the sample triaxial test, has to be counteracted by an appropriate lateral stress. This can be achieved by simultaneously monitoring the change in height and pore volume of during the experiment and makmg the the sample lateral pressure adjustments to the necessary during measurement. The elastomer sleeve fits the sample tightly so that there is no gap between sample and sleeve; and as the accuracy of the measurement depends on ~hanin~ the uPPer and 10wer the _.. = ..O of the sample, . surfaces have to be flat and perpendicular to the

exponential the exponent in the where n is relationship of compaction vs pressure. In reverse, it is possible to calculate u by establishing uH/uz data and n from triaxiai or from triaxial pressure hydrostatic compaction data. In this way the ~iaxial test Drovides an independent evaluation Of polssons . ratio of the rock. Even though the triaxial test is laboriou: -arid time-consuming, its unique experimental conditions useful, e.g., as a check on the make it extremely other experimental methods.
TEST

HYDROSTATIC

LOADING

The widely
. ----1

hydrostatic loading test (Fig. 3) has the pore compressibility used to measure
:4-.-J

been of
is fed),

CO1l SUIIUCZLGU enclosed by

.~--. a thin

.--L

2,6,7 jacket

In

this

test,

the

sample

(elastomer

or metal

which, sample

after being pressed around the core, fits tightly. Thus no shaping problem ex:sts.

the In

addition, the measurement is simple and rapid. The accuracy of the method is determined by the and thus on the degree of validity of the translation This is shown in Fig. certainty in Poissons ratio.

II--IA

,,
FIG. FIG. 1 UNIAXIAL
1971

2 TRIAXIAL

COMPACTION

CELL.
26S

COMPACTION

cELL

(a-~~.

SEPTEMBER,

4, where

the value

of the translation

factor~

data show variation in v is plotted vs v. Literature from 0.15to 0.4, seemingly without any relationship to rock type. For the most frequent range of v, 0.25 frQm. Q, 56 to facto: ranges to 0.35, the transition n {7 V.C,. This means that for most rocks using an of v = 0.30 the error in translation

()

l+V ~v

TABLE

1 -

POROSITY POROUS

AND POISSONS TEST MEDIA Porosity (percent)

RATlO

OF

Poissons 0.35 0.26 0.27

0.30

Ratio

Gildehaus sandstone Oberkirchen sandstone Kcyckeey de!~mite

Kayakoey Packing of limestone steel kteads

22 19 18
15 35

average value

0.25

from hydrostatic into uniaxial compaction will be in the order of t 10 percent. If triaxial tests are made on the cores, Poissons ratios may be determined from the triaxial data as indicated. RESULTS OF COMPACTION EXPERIMENTS ON VARIOUS POROUS MEDIA In order to test the applicability of the various we made series of compaction measuring techniques, experiments in oedometer and hydrostatic cells on The triaxial cell was only different porous media. . . . OrI W-~iC~ used in measurements on field cores ~caFpcC~QflS had also oedometer and h~-di~~tat~~ been determined.
ur.uum~lnm

(400/.l)

---n..--.mm For these

n..

ANn-

UVnRf)sT~TIc . . . . . . . . . .

COMPACTIONS

OF

CONSOLIDATED

ROCK

taken from Gildehaus and Obernkirchen outcrops which are known to be very (West Germany), uniform properties. and to have homogeneous Carbonate samples, a bioclastic limestone and a very-fine crystalline dolomite, were drilled from cores taken in a Kayakoey well (Turkey). For both was less than 3 carbonate rocks vuggy porosity percent. were loaded and unloaded in The samples successive cycles to check their reproducibility and elastic behavior (maximum pressure 400 bat = about 6,000 psi). Deformations oniy appeared to be eiastic after the fii~~ ~~~ie. ~ 0 riaxial ratio COUld measurements were made, the Poissons not be independently evaluated. For all rocks, we ., ----J-...-.*8.. ~Qd UCUW.-... observed a constant ratio Detwccn higher than ~.t-ri .s nydro~t~ti~ ~Cmr-.-- on--- for pressures 25 bar (about 350 psi). The magnitude of these ratios ~oints to acceptable Poissons ratios varying from 0~25 to 0.35 (se~ Table I). This is also show; and in Fig. 6 for the in Fig. 5 for the sandstones carbonate rocks. In the latter figures, oedometer data (dots) are compared to tiaia~iai compaction compaction (full line) computed from hydrostatic data using Eq. 1 and the Poissons ratio of Table 1. The sample compaction at 50 bar (about 700 psi) as zero. was taken 1 . l+V 3 () l-v 1.0

measurements
-Burette,

sandstone

samples

were

0.1 cm3/6 cm

Manometer O- 7U0kg/cm2

1r
0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 ~
mm

5mm

0.1

0.2

v
FIG.4+ FIG.
266

3 HYDROSTATIC

COMPACTION

CELL.
SOCIETY OF

()

l+U lv

Vs

v.

PETROLEUM

ENGINEERS

JO URXAL

OEDOMETER AND HYDROSTATIC COMPACTIONS OF AGGREGATES OF STEEL BEADS

f~
3X!(! -s

The aggregates of steel beads were selected as a model for elastic packings of loose particies, i.e., The aggregates with zero compressive strength. packings were formed directly in the measuring equipment according to the technique described by Wygal.lb Their initial porosity amounted to 35 percent. In the first loading/unloading cycle (up to 700 bar = about 10,000 psi) deformations were partly inelastic, porosities decreasing to 33.5 percent. In the following cycles the packings behaved almost elastic, the permanent deformations being 10 percent less of total deformations. NO triaxial or measurements were made, so Poissons ratio of the packings could not be evaluated. For these packings a reasonably constant ratio ~~~er%.e~ between and oedometer was also hydrostatic compaction for pressures above 25 bar (about 35o psi), which points to a poissons atio the oedometer of 0.25. In Fig. 7, for comparison, ~omPacCion~ (dQts) and uniaxial compaction (full line) computed from hydrostatic data are plotted for the second and third cycles. The sample compaction at 50 bar (about 700 psi) was taken as zero. COMPARISON OF COMPACTION MEASURED ON FIELD CORES DATA

Koyaki3y dolomite porosity 1870

q 3xui I I

Koyokby Imwstone p0r051ty15%

FIG. 6 DERIVED OBTAINED

COMPARISON OF UNIAXIAL COMPACTIONS FROM HYDROSTATIC DATA (CURVES) AND IN OEDOMETER TESTS (DOTS) FOR KAYAKOEY CARBONATE ROCKS.
fz 8 XW- 7[ Thd Ic.adq cyck o

4
5 & 3 2 1 0 loo200m

Y
o

1/

Loo=m6mm w~ b5

F-

We have applied all three measuring methods to samples of a sandstone formation, which was cored to investigate field compaction behavior. The cores showed a rather large porosity range; low to medium were found in hard, well-cemented porosities sections, and higher porosities in the more friable ones. Uniaxial compaction have been measured .by . or computed from oedometer, hydrostatic and trlaxlal .L . . --..1.:-.,. mm=,-f;m. GU...y -- . . . . loading experiments, and cne rC5ULLIIIg plotted in Fig. 8, as a per ~C~t pre~~~re d~g~~ne is function of the in-situ porosity. For the translation of hydrostatic to uniaxial compaction for Porssons ratio the average value of v = 0.30 was taken> Poissons ratios calculated independent of porosity. from the triaxial tests varied from 0.23 to 0.35, with 0.29 as the average. Fie. 8 shows that for the low-porosity values, as . rocks, all three methods in the hard, well-cemented

FIG. 7 COMPARISON OF UNIAXIAL COMPACTIONS DERIVED FROM HYDROSTATIC DATA (CURVES) AND OBTAINED IN OEDOMETER TESTS (DOTS) FOR ARTIFICIAL PACKINGS OF STEEL BEADS (DIAMETER 400/L, INITIAL POROSITY 35 PERCENT).

-t~
loxlo

c~

I
2

Cjddehoussandstone
~om5!!y ~~ ~

c~

3X10-3 t

3xlo-p

Obemkirchen sandstone porcmty 19 %

11

+&H--J, +4b+--J,
In-situporosity, Vb %

FIG.

COMPARISON

OF

UNIAXIAL

COMPACTIONS

DERIVED FROM HYDROSTATIC DATA (CURVES) AND OBTAINED IN OEDOMETER TESTS (DOTS) FOR GILDEHAUS AND OBERNKIRCHEN SANDSTONES.
SEPTEMBER. 1971

FIG. 8 OBTAINED

COMPARISON OF UNIAXIAL COMPACTIONS FOR FRIABLE SANDSTONES BY DIFFERENT MEASURING TECHNIQUES.

267

lead to about the same uniaxial compaction. For the in the friable rock, the triaxial higher porosities well with those derived from cell data agree hydrostatic measurements, but in the oedometer measurements much larger compaction are obtained. In addition, the samples remained intact in hydrostatic and triaxial measurements, whereas in the oedometer experiments most of the samples were destroyed. As the triaxial measurements prove that the friable rock can stand uniaxial loading without ~he destructioii iii cxx?cmeter tests must destruction, be due to an inadequate fit of the samples in the cell, resulting in clearly incorrect and too large compaction values. RECOMMENDED PROCEDURE FOR LABORATORY COMPACTION MEASUREMENTS ON FRIABLE AND WELL-CONSOLIDATED ROCKS In view of these findings we recommend the following laboratory testing procedure: 1. hydrostatic compaction measurements on suites of samples systematically taken from cores of rhe reservoir in question; 2. measurements of uniaxial compaction in rhe triaxial loading equipment on a limited amount of selected on the basis of the results samples, obtained in the hydrostatic measurements. In the triaxiaI measurements will enable addition, independent evaluation of Poissons ratio for the ,. . CSLiU1l, rocK In ~-U------3. translation of hydrostatic into uniaxial compaction with the aid of the simple relationship given in Eq. 4, using the average Poissons ratio established from the rriaxial measurements. CONCLUSIONS The uniaxial compaction of well-consolidated and friable rocks can be measured by differenr methods. m, deformation is the . .-:-1 .-s. q w;rh _ ..= lne tria~i~. .. ..- zero lateral most accurate, as it simulates the reservoir loading conditions direcrly and has the most favorable In addition, triaxial tests experimental conditions. enable independent evaluation of the Poissons ratio of rocks. The hydrostatic compaction method provides a simple and rapid technique for routine compaction measurements on well-consolidated and friable rock. A simple formula is given which allows the CO~~~CiiOtl data into translation of hydrostatic formation compaction. uniaxial For the translation of hydrostatic into uniaxial compaction the Poissons ratio of the rock must be known, For ~ ~;ven ~c~k these may be obtained from rriaxial tests. For the rocks investigated the Poissons ratios varied between 0.25 and 0.35. The use of an average value of 0.30 results for these error of t 10 percent in predicted ---i.. :- . re]arive luL&> s,, - -------. formation compaction. Oedometer tesrs are not suitable for compaction measurements on friable cores. fit of the samples due ro an inadequate
26S

oedometer cell, which may cause the destruction of rock during the measurement. For wellthe consolidated rock uniaxial compaction obtained in oedometer tests agree well with those found in the triaxial tests and those computed from hydrostatic data. compaction NOMENCLATURE
a=

coefficient coefficient coefficient (&)/(d) coefficient uniaxial

. .

in expression in expression m
.,-

for e for E
.

b=

c1 = C* = CL =
cm = Cma = e=

tneoreticrd

express~cn expression

f~~ for e

in theoretical compaction

rock bulk compressibility coefficient (relative change

in

rock matrix

compressibility

hydrostatic compaction bulk volume) Youngs exponent modulus in expression in pore fluid in expression

E= n= .& =

for e pressure for E rock matrix

to rock

reduction exponent

q= p=

the ratio of cma/cb, bulk compressibility unidirectional height) strain compaction ratio stress normal stress

(=

~z = uni axial ~. (J. e

(relative

change

in

Poissons normal
= effecrive

SUBSCRIPTS H = horizontal direction

Z = vertical x, y, z = directions

direction in rectangular coordinate system

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The author wishes to thank ]. Geemsma, W. van der Knaap and L. J. M. Smits for stimulating discussions; W. Moor and H. F. Lammerts for and the management carrying our the measurements; of SheH Research N. V., The Hague, The Netherlands for permission to publish this paper.
REFERENCES ( ~Problem~ of Rock Mechanics J.: 1. Geertsma, ?etroieiiin %odw+ifim .. Engineering, Ptoc., w. . Internatl. Cong. Rock Mech., Lisbon (1966). 2. van der Knsap, Porous Media, 187. 3. Por6per i%dierl~ Gassman, F.: (Cuber die Elastizit~t Vierteljahrschrift der Naturforschenden Gesellschaft, Zurich 4. (March, 1951) 1. Of Three-Dimensional Biot, M. A.: , CGeneral ~eory Ccn~e IidatiOn>>; ]. A~~L Pbys. (1941) Vol. 12, 155. W.: ttNonlinear AIME Behavior (1959) Vol. in 1st

Of Elastic 216, 179-

Trarrs.,

..

uniaxial This is in the

.5. Geertsma, J.: The Effect of Fluid on Volumetric Changes of Porous AIME (1957) Vol. 210, 331-430.

Pressure Rocks,

Decline

Trans.,

sOCIETY

OF

PETROLEUM

ENGINEERS

JOURNAL

Howard N.: Compressibility of Reservoir 6. Hall, Trans., AIME (1953) VO1. 198, 309-311. Rocks, 7. Carpenter, C. B. and Spencer, G. B.: Measurements ~--.nl~t.=d=d--Ofl-Bearing of Compressibility Of GW-------Sandstones, RI 3S40, USBM (Oct., 1940). , ,Mechsni~s of Granular Media R. D.: 2nd u. S. Natl. COng. APP1. Mech. P Ann Ar@, 13. Relations for a Simple J. Appl. Mecb. (1958) !

investigated the nonline= model packing of spheres.

elastic For

behavior of a cubic lattice

8. Mindlin,
PTOC.,

Mich.

(1954)

H.: Stress-Strain 9, Deresiewicz, Model of a Granular Medium, Vol. 25, 402.

arrangement, the deformation of the packing is related to the deformation of the single grains. Using Hertzs theorylg on the deformation Of spheres and defining the elastic parameters as the derivatives of strain to stress, they arrive at elastic moduli which are exponentially related to stress by the expression

10. Brandt, H.: ,(A study on the Speed of &.und in Porous Granular Media, J. Af@l. Mecb. (195S) Vol. 22, 479. 1L Bofset: H. G. and Reed, D. W.: Experiment (i!135j on Vol. Compressibility 19, 1053. of Sand,

. . . . . (A-2) ,. L. Lby the 6c:-:.=-P m wnlcn cnc coe...b. b... Ci ~S determined elastic material constants of the separate grains. Thus they arrive at sets of stress-strain equations in differential form. Brandt1 investigated a more complicated model aggregate of spheres. Using Hertzs theory, he under derived for the volumetric compaction
hydrostatic preSSuie

ButL,

AAPG

12. Roberts, J. E. and de Souza, J. M.: The Compressibility of Sands, %oc., ASTM (1958) VOL 58, 1269. 13. van der Knaap, W. and van der Vlis, A. C.: On the Cause of Subsidence in Oil-Producing Areas, Proc.. 7th World Pet. Cong., Mexico City (1967) Vol. 3, 85. .. --A ,,e,...-., n 1.: of 14. Bishop, A. %. MM u ..~=i -. a.. The Measurement Soil Properties in the Triaxial Test, 2nd ed., E. J. Arnold & Son, Ltd., London (1962). 15. WiIhelmi, Bernhard and Somerton, Wilbur H.: Simultaneous Measurement of Pore and Elastic Properties of Rocks
Eng. J.

2/3 =c2ue

(A-3)

Under Triaxial Stress (Sept., 1967) 283-294.

Conditions,

So c. Pet.

Of Models that Simulate 16. Wygal, R. J.: ,( Constmction Oil Reservoirs, SOC. Pet. En& J. (Dec. ! 1963) 281286. 1.: Elastic 17. Holubec, ]. Soil Mech. (i96Sj 18. Timoshenko,
Elasticity,

Behavior Goodier,

of Cohesionless J. Book N.: Co.,

Soil\ O/ York

in which the coefficient C2 is determined by the elastic material constants of the constituting grains, the porosity of the packing and the number of points per grain. The coefficient C2 cannot contact simply be compared to that obtained by integration . , ,: f ---d of Eq. A-2 because or rne alfrercuc crrmpcsith. an_ geometrical arrangement of the grains in the model packings. Nevertheless there is clearly similarity in Eqs. A-2 and A-3. In sedimentary rock the grains are not perfectly spherical nor are the grains stacked in a regular geometric pattern. Hence it is impossible to express -~ .,,= .... . . . . their elastic properties in terms u~ qL=. maher;al..constants of the constituting grains. Nevertheless, the empirical stress-dependent hydrostatic compacresembles Brandts tion (Eq. A-I) very much theoretical expression (Eq. A-3), which suggests :hat, in analozv -. to Eq. A-2, the stress-dependent elastic by parameters of porous rock may be represented

VGI. 94, 1215. Theory New

S.

and

2nd ed., McGraw-Hill

(19.51).

APPENDIX

RELATION BETWEEN COhf PACTIOFJS OF ISOTROPIC ELASTIC POROUS MEDIA UNDER UNIAXIAL AND HYDROSTATIC LOADING NONLINEAR ELASTICITY

As a rule, the elastic bulk deformations of porous sedimentary rock under hydrostatic pressure are found to depend on stress ,2*6*7 the experimental data being adequately represented 5*2 by e= a o n, e . . . . . . . . . . . . . (A-1)

~=$=@)%
in which

.
q are

..

(A-4) rock.

b and

constants

for a given

constants for a given in which a and n are empirical rock and Ue the effective stress. Therefore the elastic bulk moduli are stress dependent as well, which means that if the stresses in the horizontal and vertical are different, there is also a difference in horizontal and vertical elastic moduli. Hence the rock will behave mechanically anisotropic under triaxial loading, even if it behaves isotropic under hydrostatic load. Such ani sotropic behavior can be described using 4 instead of 2 elastic parameters, e.g., Holubec17 distinguishes different vertical and lateral Poissons ratios, all dependent Mindlin8 and Deresiewiczg SEPTEMBER, 1971 for cohesionless soil Youngs moduli and on stress. have theoretically

This expression combined with the assumption of a constant Poissons ratio enables the description of anisotropic mechanical behavior uader triaxial load with only two parameters instead of four, as suggested by Holubec. 17
GENERAL STRESS-STRAIN RELATIONSHIPS FOR ELASTIC POROUS BODIES

If we neglect for the time being pore-pressure effects, the stress-strain relations from the general theory of elasticity can be written in differential form,

269

do do dex=&%&-v-E# x Y

do (A-5) z

6 b(l-q)e

1-2V

l-q

(A-12)

with analogous expressions for dey and dc=. Under in-situ loading conditions the vertical and lateral normal stresses will be of different magnitude. We however assume that the lateral normal stresses UH will be equal. According to Eq. A-4, =Uy= g% the Youngs moduli in lateral and vertical directions will be

For small strains the change in bulk volume, e = 3e, which substituted

three-dimensional (relative) e, may be approximated by into Eq. A-12 gives

e.wuel-q

. . . . . .( A-13)

RELATION UNIAXIAL Comparing

BETWEEN HYDROSTATIC COMPACTIONS Eqs.

AND

=b(%)q H

. . . . . . . . . . ..

(A-6a)

=b(oz)q

...

. . . . . . ..(A-6bJ
into Eq. A-5 after in the stress-strain

Ue in hydrostatic arrive at

A-10 and A-13 for equal pressures and ~z in uniaxial loadings, we

= 1 l+V
introduced results z ~f-v)e

(2

(A-14) to the

These expressions SoKle rearrangement relationships

which relates the uniaxial compaction hydrostatic voiumetfi~ compaction e.

d~.+

(uH)

qtMH- ; (Oz)-qduz
- ~ (uH) q duH

APPENDIX

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (A-7a)

dez

= ; (uz) qduz

EVALUATION OF POISSONS RATIO FROM TRIAXIAL TEST DATA The formulas of Eq. A-1 and A-13 of Appendix A both express the total relative change in bulk volume as a function of hydrostatic stress e=a~ n e

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (A-7b)
APPLICATION STRESS WITH Here the TO CONDITION ZERO LATERAL condition OF UNIAXIAL DISPLACEMENT of Eq.

boundary

&f.f = O, which

substituted

into

Eq.

becomes A-7a results in

A-7

do

- ~ r% ) -qdz z
l-v [.~ H
Eq. A-7b gives ( =

(A-8)

e- W22.).- Gel-q. 13(1-q)

It follows that n = 1 -q. Thus, by substitu% becomes Eq. A-8 q = n -1, this equation into

Eq. A-8 into dcZ Integration crz finally

l+V) (1-2y) b(l-v)

A-g over

(Uz)q dgz .
the stress interval

(A-9) O to

(UH) -1 doH = ~

(az)

n-1

duz
intervals

. (B-1)
O to

of Eq. gives

Integration of Eq. B-1 over the stress OH and O to oz gives

z = &;)
APPLICATION HYDROSTATIC TO STRESS

;;!;)

(U z)

l-q

. . (A-1o)
and

(@n =+
H _ (*V)

(6z)n , . . . . . .
l/n

(B-2)

CONDITIONS

In hydrostatic loading, the normal stresses equal in all directions are Ue = CTH = Oz; so for the elastic properties: EH = Ez = bueq. For equal stress increments &H = &z, Eqs. A-7a and A-7b provide

(B-3)

dc=dc

=dc

= 1-2V Zbee

~ -q*

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (A-n)
After integration of Eq. interval O to Ue, we obtain
270

which predicts for the triaxial test with zero lateral deformation, the ratio of lateral to vertical stresses as a function of Poissons ratio of the rock and the exponent n. Alternatively Poissons ratio can be determined ratio of JH/0.z and the from the experimental n can be obtained from exponent n. The exponent
hydrostatic tests as well as from triaxial tests.

A-11

over

the

stress

SOCIETY

OF

PETROLEUM

ENGINEERS

JOURNAL

And as according to Eq. A-14, Cz is a linear function of e, the relationship of (z VS az in the triaxial test shows the same exponent as that in the relationship of e vs Oe in the hydrostatic test. The theoretical value of the exponent n for aggregates of perfect spheres amounts to n = 2/3. For Iinear elastic media, n = 1, reducing Eq. B-3 to the well known equation

H = z

v l-V

..-

. .

. .

(B-4)

Real vaIues of n for sandstones and carbonates vary for given rocks; typical values are quoted in Refs. 2 and 5. ***

SEPTEMBER,

1971

271