Page 1 of 9

Table of Contents

Abstract

Theory

Procedure & Experimental Set-Up

Calculation & Results

Discussion

10

Conclusion

10

References

10

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ABSTRACT

Permeability is a measure of the ability of a porous material like rocks, to

allow the fluid to pass through them. Moreover permeability helps us to
determine the speed of passing the liquid/gas through the reservoir rock.
There are 2 different procedures in order to determine the permeability in
consolidated cores and unconsolidated sand packs.

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THEORY
As we see from the definition, to find the permeability we need to force some fluid
of known viscosity through the cross section of the core sample. At the same time
we need to measure the flow rate and the pressure drop in the system. Actually we
should create such conditions for which using of Darcy equations is allowable:

(1 2 2 2 )
=
L 2Patm

Where Q is a flow rate = V/t

A is the cross sectional area of the sample
= dynamic viscosity
k= permeability
L =length of the sample
So that gas flow is measured at atmospheric conditions Patm = 1 atm.

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Gas Permeameter was used in the experiment.

Using the apparatus shown above, we gained measurements of the pressure from the
display, and using graduated cylinder with the stop-watch we measured the flow
rate.

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PROCEDURE and EXPERIMENTAL SET-UP
The equipment we used in this experiment:
1. Gas Supply:
It is pressurized gas cylinder with a regulator on it.
2. Core Holder:
It is a vertical stainless steel cylinder with coreplug and leakproof viton sleeve
in it.
3. Main Panel & Controls:
It is a framework to keep all connections, valves, inlets and outlets, pressure
gauge in an order and at a fixed place.
4. Wet Test Meter:
It is used for determination of flow rate of the gas leaving the core holder.

Procedure:
1. Place the core into the holder, close the lid and tighten it firmly.
2. Turn the V1 valve to off and V2 valve to inlet position.
3. Open the main gas (air) valve on the pressure air bottle. Adjust the pressure on
the pressure regulator on the air bottle.
4. Adjust the pressure of the regulator on the main panel.
5. Turn the V1 valve to on position for gas to flow through the system.
6. Increase the pressure of the regulator step by step by rotating the valve on the
main panel.

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Calculations and Results

The main equation used in this experiment would be as follows;
(1 2 )2
=
2
We are given that;
Core No.
1

Length (cm)
7.5

Diameter (cm)
3.8

= 0.0176 cp
The measurements that we took are as follows;
Measurement No.
1
2
3
4
5

Pinlet (bar-g)
2.02
5.01
7.22
9.22
11.28

Poutlet (bar-g)
0
0
0
0
0

2 =0.0176 cp
Atmospheric pressure= 1 atm
1 bar=0.9869 atm

Qatm =

12 22
2

P2 is constant and equals to 1 atm

Area =

(3.8)2
4

= 11.34 cm2

conversions: bar-g -> bar -> atm

bar-g + 1 = bar
bar * 0.9869 = atm

Pm =

1 +2
2

Flow rate (cm3/min)

31
128
244
375
540

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Sample calculation for measurement 1:

Pi = 2.02 bar-g = (2.02+1)*0.9869 = 2.9804 atm
Pm =

2.9804+1

Q = 31

2
cm3
min

= 1.990 atm 1/Pm = 0.503 atm-1

1 min
60 sec

= 0.52 cm3/sec

Measurement
No

Pinlet (bar-g)

Pinlet (bar)

2.02

Flowrate

Pinlet (atm)

Poutlet
(atm)

Flowrate
(scc/min)

(scc/min)

3.02

2.9804

31

0.52

5.01

6.01

5.9313

128

2.13

7.22

8.22

8.1123

244

4.07

9.22

10.22

10.0861

375

6.25

11.28

12.28

12.1191

540

9.00

From Darcy Equation (for No 1):

ka =

(12 22 )

0.520.01767.521
2

(2.980 1)11.34

= 1.536 mD

Measurement No

P (atm)

Q (scc/sec)

ka (mD)

Pm (atm)

1/Pm (atm-1)

2.980

0.52

1.536

1.99

0.503

5.931

2.13

1.448

3.47

0.288

8.112

4.07

1.462

4.56

0.219

10.086

6.25

1.445

5.54

0.181

12.119

9.00

1.436

6.56

0.152

Page 8 of 9

Ka vs 1Pm
1.56
1.54

y = 0.2732x + 1.392

Ka

1.52
1.5
1.48
1.46

1.44
1.42
0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

1/Pm

m = 0.2732 = kL*b
ka = kL + (kL*b) *

1
Pm

=> kL = 1.536 0.2732/0.503 =0.993

b = m/kL = 0.2732/0.993 =
b = 0.3

0.5

0.6

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DISCUSSION
During the calculations after the experiment, there can clearly be seen, that the data
we obtained during the experiment has some error. This can clearly be seen on the
graph, though it should be a perfectly straight line, however it is not. This is due to
external factors which are not taken into account during calculations. Here are
some factors that could affect our data:
Human factor: there could be some error during measuring the time due to late
stop.
Some error in the volume of gas in cylinder.
Also, even though viton sleeve considered to be leak-proof, there could be a little
flow between its and cylinder's borders.
We used Nitrogen gas instead of Helium because of high price and it effects the
flow because heliums gas particles are smaller than nitrogens and it passes the
core much more easier than nitrogen.

CONCLUSION
In this experiment laboratory method of calculating rock gas permeability by using
Darcy equation was studied. During the experiment there was clearly seen that
permeability is one of the main properties that helps to anticipate how the gas will
flow through the rock. Knowing rock permeability is essential in petroleum
industry, so that this knowledge helps to extract gas more efficiently. To sum up,
the experiment was successful. All data obtained during the experiment were used
in calculations. Permeability was determined and graphs were plotted.