COVENANT UNIVERSITY

CANAANLAND, OTA

PETROLEUM ENGINEERING LABOURATORY

LIQUID PERMEABILITY DETERMINATION

BY

GOLLEY OGHENEMINE EXCEL (16CN021086)

DATE PERFORMED: 03-06-2021

DATE SUBMITTED: 07-06-2021

LIQUID PERMEABILITY DETERMINATION

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 ABSTRACT
The flow characteristics of turbulent and laminar flow regime is of utmost importance in
different aspects of production and reservoir engineering. An important parameter to determine
in fluid is the permeability of the porous media (reservoir rock). The equations used in the oil
and gas industry to characterize the flow of fluid in a porous media at laminar regime is the
Darcy equation and at turbulent regime is the Forchheimers equation.
This core flooding experiment was performed on a cylindrically shaped core sample from
a sandstone formation. The core sample used was approximately 1.85cm diameter and 2.3cm in
length subjected to a laminar regime flowrate basis using water. With the aid of a liquid
permeameter, the flowrate, inlet and outlet pressure and time for the water solution to pass
through the core sample was measured and from these parameters permeability of the sandstone
sample was calculated via Darcy equation.
From the results obtained, a plot of permeability as against pressure drop was used to
monitor the flow regimes in the porous media. Similarly, a plot of pressure drop against the rate
of flow of water into the core sample revealed the level of connectivity of pores in the media.
The results from the experiments indicated that an increase in the pressure drop applied
across the core sample resulted to an increased flowrate. It also indicated that the method of core
sample manipulation and preservation, experiment control parameters and test profiles are
important in measuring the permeability of a core sample in the laboratory.

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Table of Contents
ABSTRACT...................................................................................................................................................... 2
LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................................................ 4
LIST OF TABLES .............................................................................................................................................. 4
CHAPTER 1 .................................................................................................................................................... 5
Permeability .............................................................................................................................................. 5
Darcy’s equation ....................................................................................................................................... 5
Relationship between permeability and porosity..................................................................................... 6
AIM OF STUDY .......................................................................................................................................... 6
OBJECTIVES ............................................................................................................................................... 6
SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY .......................................................................................................................... 6
SCOPE OF STUDY ...................................................................................................................................... 7
CHAPTER 2 .................................................................................................................................................... 8
1. LIQUID PERMEAMETER ..................................................................................................................... 8
2. STOP WATCH ..................................................................................................................................... 9
3. MEASURING CYLINDER ..................................................................................................................... 9
MATERIAL ................................................................................................................................................ 10
CORE SAMPLE ..................................................................................................................................... 10
CHAPTER 3 .................................................................................................................................................. 11
CHAPTER 4 .................................................................................................................................................. 12
CHAPTER 5 .................................................................................................................................................. 15
CHATER 6..................................................................................................................................................... 17
REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................................ 18

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 LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE 1: LIQUID PERMEAMETER ..........................................................................................................................................8
FIGURE 2: STOP WATCH .......................................................................................................................................................9
FIGURE 3: MEASURING CYLINDER ..........................................................................................................................................9
FIGURE 4: SANDSTONE CORE SAMPLE ...................................................................................................................................10

LIST OF TABLES
TABLE 1: MEASURED PARAMETERS ......................................................................................................................................13
TABLE 2: PLOT OF PERMEABILITY AGAINST PRESSURE DROP.......................................................................................................13
TABLE 3: PLOT OF PRESSURE DROP AGAINST FLOWRATE ...........................................................................................................14

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 CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION

The study of fluid transport into and through porous rocks is of importance to many
scientific and engineering fields including petroleum and chemical engineering, geology,
hydrology, physics and so on. In order to accurately predict fluid transport through an given
rock, the knowledge of it’s porosity and permeability is critical. Permeability and porosity are
two (2) important factors determining the movement and storing capacity of rocks for fluids
(Rahmouni, Boulanouar, Boukalouch & Samaouali, 2014)

Permeability
Permeability is the measure of the ability or the property of a porous media capacity to transmit
fluids or permit the flow of fluid through it. With regards to rocks, permeability is defined as the relative
ease of fluid flow via the network of pores within the rock. The measured permeability of a rock saturated
with a single fluid is “Absolute Permeability”. If saturated with more than a single fluid, the permeability
will reduce and is termed “Effective Permeability” (Ismail & Sidek, 2020) .

The rock permeability is (k), is an important rock property. Rock permeability controls the flow
of reservoir fluids through the formation as well as the flowrate of such fluids.

Darcy’s equation
The calculation of permeability is derived from Darcy’s law which for liquids under steady state
conditions of viscous or laminar flow can be written as:

𝐤𝐀 (𝐏𝟏 – 𝐏𝟐)
𝐐= µ.𝐋

where,

k = permeability (mD)
µ = viscosity (cp)
Q = flow rate (cc/sec)
L = length of core plug (cm)
A = cross-sectional area of flow (cm2)
(P1 – P2) = pressure change (psig)
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In geological applications the darcy is commonly too large for practical purposes, so the
millidarcy (mD) is used, where 1000 mD = 1D (Paul Glover, 2012)

Relationship between permeability and porosity

The permeability of a rock is dependent on its porosity. The higher the porosity of a
formation, the higher the rocks permeability. Similarly, permeability is also determined by the
extent of connectivity of the rock’s pore spaces, this factor enables the formation of pathways
within the rock formation enabling flow. The connectivity of the pores within the rock is
determined by numerous factors, some of which include: shape of grains, grain size distribution,
size of grains, depositional history of the rock and so on.

From the relationship between permeability and porosity, some generalizations can be
made in light of other factors:

• The higher the porosity of a rock, the higher the permeability will be
• Rocks with smaller grains will have smaller pores and pore throats and hence lower
permeabilities
• Smaller grain sizes also result to more exposed surface area for fluid flow leading to
larger friction between fluids and the rock formation and lower permeability.

AIM OF STUDY
• This study aims to determine the liquid permeability of a rock core sample

OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this study are as follows:

• To determine flow rate of water through the core sample

• To calculate absolute permeability of the core sample using Darcy’s equation.
• Determination of the pressure drop associated with the flowrate of water through sample

SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY
The ultimate goal of drilling and reservoir engineers in drilling a well is the economical
and safe production of oil and gas at the surface. For a rock to serve as a reservoir, its porosity

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LIQUID PERMEABILITY DETERMINATION 6
and permeability must be appreciable enough to carry a significant quantity of hydrocarbons as
rock permeability controls the flow of reservoir fluids through the rock to the drilled well.

Hence, the study and determination of a reservoir rocks permeability is of utmost

importance as it determines if a reservoir rock is structurally capable of housing hydrocarbons
and how efficient it’ll be to produce from such reservoirs. Accurate determination of reservoir
permeability could be the only rescue from the investment of large funds to no avail.

SCOPE OF STUDY
This study is focused on determining the rate at which water flows through a sandstone
core sample at an inlet pressure of 25psi with the aid of a liquid permeameter. From the results
the rocks absolute permeability to water is calculated.

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 CHAPTER 2
EXPERIMENTAL APPARATUS

1. LIQUID PERMEAMETER
In the course of this experiment, the core lab PERL-200 liquid permeameter was used.
This is a manually-operated device, used to measure the permeability to liquid of 1-2 inches
diameter core plugs. This device is designed to be used with water or brine only.

Figure 1: Liquid Permeameter

DESCRIPTION

This device consists of two (2) pressure control valves. The respective ranges of the
valves are 0 – 30psig and 0 – 100psig respectively. They are used to sense gas (in this case air)
pressure from a pressurized air cylinder. The air pressure from the compressed air cylinder
transfers water into the core sample at a constant pressure.

The flow out from the liquid permeameter is determined by measuring the time required
for the displaced water to fill a graduated flask or cylinder. After determining the sample length
and diameter as well as the measured flowrate and pressure drop, the permeability of the rock
can be calculated using Darcy’s equation.

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ASSUMPTIONS USED IN OPERATION

The liquid permeameter in operation assumes the fluid being injected into the core (in
this case water) is in single phase and is an incompressible fluid with no rock-fluid interactions.

2. STOP WATCH
A stopwatch is a hand-held time-piece that is used to measure time that elapses between
activation and deactivation. In the course of the experiment, it was used to measure the time
taken for the fluid to saturate the core sample within the indicated liquid level.

Figure 2: Stop watch

3. MEASURING CYLINDER
A graduated measuring cylinder is used to measure the volume of a liquid in the laboratory. In
this experiment the measuring cylinder was used to measure the fluid being displaced from the
core sample under pressure.

Figure 3: Measuring Cylinder

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MATERIAL
CORE SAMPLE
A core sample is a cylindrical section of a rock formation obtained with the use of special
drills with hollow openings to accommodate the formation sample. After core samples have
been obtained, they are passed through some preserving processes in order to ensure the
natural integrity of the samples are not compromised. Processes like drying, insulation and so
on are parts of these processes.

In the course of this experiment the core sample used was that of a sandstone formation
saturated with water.

Figure 4: Sandstone core sample

PRECAUTIONS
In order to obtain correct values in the course of this experiment, some precautionary
steps must be taken to ensure the core sample isn’t compromised. Several factors could lead to
error some of which include:

• Incomplete core recovery

• Altered permeability of core sample while the sample is being prepared for
analysis
• Core sample may not be a true representative o rock of concern in the case of
heterogeneity.

Hence, in the operation of the permeameter and obtaining of core, its important to ensure
accuracy.

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 CHAPTER 3
PROCEDURES

1. I measured the core samples dimensions; diameter and length.

2. I connected the liquid permeameter to the gas (compressed air) cylinder through a closed
valve.
3. The core sample was fully saturated with the liquid (water) then loaded into the Fancher
holder.
4. The PERL-200 liquid permeameter was filled with water.
5. The core holder was tightened adequately using the handle underneath the apparatus and
connected to the top of the apparatus.
6. The apparatus was opened by rotating the discharge fill valve. This fills the core holder
and burette.
7. The burette was filled to the internally indicated liquid level to the up-most mark and a
little over and then the core holder valve was closed.
8. Slowly the gas cylinder was opened using the regulator valve and the pressure on the core
sample was increased.
9. The discharge fill valve was then turned to drain the liquid in the burette into the now
compressed core sample.
10. A stop watch was set to measure the required time for the water to flow from the upper to
the lower meniscus indicator of the liquid level. This determined the flowrate and was
noted.
11. The permeability of the sandstone core sample was then calculated from the measured
flowrates and pressure drops obtained in the course of the experiment.
12. The steps 8 – 10 is repeated continually while increasing the inlet pressure.
13. For each pressure increase and newly determined flowrate value, the permeability was
calculated.

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 CHAPTER 4
RESULTS

SANDSTONE CORE DIMENSIONS

• Length (L) = 2.3 cm
• Diameter (D) = 1.85 cm
FLUID (WATER) VISCOSITY
• Viscosity () = 1.07 cp
TIME TO FLOW 10CM3 OF FLUID
• Time taken (T) = 678 secs

CROSS SECTIONAL AREA OF FLOW

𝜋𝐷 2
• Area (A) = 4

Where;

π = 3.142

D = 1.85 cm

D2 = (1.85) x (1.85) = 3.423 cm

• 3.142 𝑥 3.423
A= = 2.69 cm2
4

PERMEABILITY (K) OF CORE SAMPLE

• Permeability K =14500 𝑽𝑳

𝑨𝑻▽𝐏

QUESTIONS

1. Estimate the average permeability

2. Make a plot of permeability against pressure drop
3. Make a plot of pressure drop against flowrate

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 Table 1: Measured parameters
flow Flowrate- Inlet Pressure- Outlet Pressure- Pressure drop Permeability- Average
volume- q (cm3/s) P1 (psig) P2 (psig) (P1 - P2) psig K (mD) Permeability
V (cm3)
10 1.1003 38.4 7.7 30.7 475.445 185.936
10 0.8898 67.5 13.5 54 218.588
10 0.765 88.1 17.6 70.5 143.946
10 0.3206 78.2 15.6 62.6 67.939
10 0.1227 85.6 17.1 68.5 23.762

1. AVERAGE PERMEABILITY
∑(𝑷𝟏−𝑷𝟐)
• Average permeability = = 186Md
𝟓

2. FLOW VOLUME(V) AND DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE (▽P)

Table 2: Plot of Permeability against pressure drop

Permeability against pressure drop

500
475.445
450
400
Permeability (mD)

350
300
250 218.588
200 143.946
150
100 67.939
50 23.762
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Pressure drop (psig)

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 3. PRESSURE DROP AND FLOWRATE

Table 3: Plot of pressure drop against flowrate

Pressure drop against flowrate

80 68.5 70.5
70 62.6
Pressure drop (psig)

60 54
50
40 30.7
30
20
10
0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2
Flowrate (cm3/sec)

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 CHAPTER 5
DISCSSION OF RESULT

In this study, we have determined the absolute permeability to water of the sandstone
core sample. From this calculated value, we have found the laws of Darcy in His equation to
hold true. Darcy’s law equation states that:
𝐤𝐀 (𝐏𝟏 – 𝐏𝟐)
𝐐= µ.𝐋

where,
k = permeability (mD)
µ = viscosity (cp)
Q = flow rate (cc/sec)
L = length of core plug (cm)
A = cross-sectional area of flow (cm2)
(P1 – P2) = pressure change (psig)

According to Darcy’s law:

1. Darcy’s law also shows that the pressure drop across a rock formation is inversely
proportional to the permeability of that rock

2. The pressure drop across a rock formation is directly proportional to the flowrate of the
fluid passing through the pores of the rock

Similarly, from the results of this experiment, I have found this law to hold true:

1. From the plot of the calculated permeability against the pressure drop it is observed that
as the pressure drop applied across the core sample increased, the permeability of the
core sample decreased in accordance to Darcy’s law

2. Also, from the plot of the applied pressure drop against the flowrate of water through the
core sample, it was shown that there exists an irregularity between the relations, as
pressure drop both increased and decreased at intervals as the flowrate increased steadily,

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 thus revealing that flowrate alone is not a determining factor for measuring and gaining
control of the fluid production rate of a sock sample.

3. Another observation made was that temperature has no effect in the increase or decrease
of the samples permeability but pressure has a high effect on the permeability.

4. It was also observed that the relationship between permeability and time taken is an
inverse relationship also in accordance to Darcy’s principle. Therefore, it was observed
that the permeability for shorter times frames was higher at increased flowrates and vice
versa.

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 CHATER 6
CONCLUSION

In conclusion, from the results of this experiment, it was been confirmed that the
principles upon which the Darcy’s equation was built hold true in the practical demonstration of
such theories

It is also concluded that an increase in pressure drop and flowrate results in an increase in
permeability and a decrease in the time taken for the fluid to pass through the core sample.

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 REFERENCES
1. Evaluation, F., & Glover, P. (n.d.). 3. 3.1 PERMEABILITY Theory. 21–31.

2. Ismail, A. R., & Sidek, A. (2020). RESERVOIR ENGINEERING LABORATORY

Supervisor : Assoc . Prof . Abdul Razak Ismail Dr . Mohd Akhmal Muhamad Sidek
Technician : Mr . Roslan Jas Mr . Zulkifle Nasir Petroleum Engineering Department
Reservoir Engineering Lab Sheet 2017. December.
https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.28478.51524

3. Rahmouni, A., Boulanouar, A., Boukalouch, M., Samaouali, A., Geraud, Y., & Sebbani,
J. (2014). Porosity, permeability and bulk density of rocks and their relationships based
on laboratory measurements. Revista Romana de Materiale-Romanian Journal of
Materials, 44(2), 147–152.

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