Pme 111 - L3-5 - Dmim

PME 111 Reservoir Rock and Fluid Properties
L ECTURES 3-5
Darcy’s Law and Average Rock Permeability
Course Instructor
Dr. Mohammad Islam Miah
Associate Professor, Dept. of PME, CUET
1
Course Outline
✓ Concept of Permeability (k)

✓ Unit Conversion of k,
✓ Darcy’s Law,
✓ Application of Darcy’s equation,
✓ Horizontal and Vertical permeability,
✓ Parallel and Series fluid flow in porous beds,
✓ Example/Exercise
Copyright PME 111 @Dr. Mohammad Islam Miah, Associate Professor, Dept. of PME, CUET. E-mail: islam.m@cuet.ac.bd 2
Permeability
▪ Permeability is a property of the porous medium that measures the capacity and ability of
the formation to transmit fluids. It is denoted by k.
▪ It is measure of the cumulative permeability capacity Σ𝑘ℎ or it is also called as a measure
of the formation flow capacity, 𝒌𝒉
Here: k = permeability and h = pay thickness or thickness of the formation
▪ In a word: Permeability is “the ability of a porous medium to conduct fluids”.

▪ k is an intrinsic property of the medium, independent of the fluid used, which in the case
of reservoir rock expresses a dynamic indication of the production capacity of the
reservoir.
Importance of Rock Permeability
▪ The rock permeability, k, is a very important rock property because:
• It controls the directional movement and the flow rate of the reservoir fluids in the
formation.
• Any information on the rate at which fluids could flow through the reservoir rock is
provided by rock permeability.
• It is measure of the cumulative permeability capacity, Σ𝑘ℎ.
• It is also called as a measure of the formation flow capacity, 𝑘ℎ.
• It is an inherent property of the medium that controlled its ability to conduct fluids.
o Permeability in sandstones and conglomerates is high because of the relatively large, interconnected
pore spaces between the grains.
Darcy’s Law and Permeability
▪ The earliest attempt at quantifying permeability was the work of Henry Darcy in 1856.
▪ Conducting many experiments on beds of packed sand and using different liquids, Darcy observed
the following relationships: L
P2
𝑞=𝐾
𝐴 (𝑃1 − 𝑃2 ) A
𝐿 𝜇
P1
DP Fig. 1
Where:
q = rate of flow, cm3/sec
(i.e. viscous flow) A = cross sectional area, cm2
(i.e. pressure throughout the reservoir does not change with time) L = Length, cm
P1 = initial pressure, psi
P2 = producing pressure, psi
𝜇 = Fluid viscosity, cP
Sign Convention
(𝑑Φ)
• If distance is measured positive in the direction of flow, then the potential gradient must
𝑑𝑙
be negative in the same direction since fluids move from high to low potential.
• Therefore, Darcy's law is for linear flow: 𝜌𝑘 (𝑑Φ) Fluid energy, Φ = + 𝑔𝑧
𝑝
𝑞 = 𝑢. 𝐴 = 𝐴 𝜌
𝜇 𝑑𝑙
𝑘 Φ1 − Φ 2
𝑞=𝐴 .
𝜇 𝐿
Fig. 2: Horizontal flow system.

Fig. 3: Inclined or dipping flow system.
Sign Convention
• It should be pointed out that the fluid potential drop (Φ1 − Φ2 ) is equal to the pressure
drop (p1 − p2 ) only when the flow system is horizontal.
𝜌𝑘 (𝑑Φ) 𝜌𝑘 (𝑑p)
𝑞=𝐴 =𝐴
𝜇 𝑑𝑙 𝜇 𝑑𝑙
▪ Darcy's law is for radial flow:
• If production from the reservoir into the well is taken

as positive, which is the convention adopted in this
book, then, since the radius is measured as being Fig. 4: Radial Flow
positive in the direction opposite to the flow, dΦ/dr is
positive and Darcy's law may be stated as
Differential Form of Darcy’s Law
▪ It should be pointed out that the volumetric flow rate, q, is constant for liquids because the
density does not change significantly with pressure.
▪ Since P1 is greater than P2 , the pressure terms can be rearranged, which will eliminate the
negative term in the equation.
L
𝐴 (𝑃1 − 𝑃2 )
Where s : coordinate along direction of flow 𝑞=𝑘
𝐿 𝜇 P2
As : area perpendicular to flow
A
P : pressure
ks : permeability in the s-direction
qs : fluid flow in the s-direction P1
𝛿𝑝
DP
pressure gradient, is negative.
𝛿𝑠
Differential Form of Darcy’s Law-Cont’d
▪ The Darcy equation for the radial low system can be
written in the lowing differential form: 𝑘𝐴 𝑑𝑝
𝑄=
𝜇 𝑑𝑟
▪ The Darcy equation can be integrated between the well
bore and the external boundary of the system as follows:
where Q is the low rate (m3 /s),

k is the absolute permeability (m2 ), h is the thickness (m),
Pe is the pressure at drainage radius (N/m2 ) Pwf is the lowing pressure
(N/m2 )
μ is the luid viscosity (N s/m2 )
re is the drainage radius (m) rw is the well-bore radius (m)
Fig. 5: Radial fluid flow in porous media
Inclined Fluid Flow System
• The Darcy's law is for inclined (linear) flow: Φ𝑖 = 𝑝𝑖 − 0.4335𝛾. Δ𝑧
𝑘 1 𝑑p 𝑘 Φ1 − Φ2
▪ 𝑞=𝐴 𝜌. + 𝜌𝑔. 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 𝑞=𝐴
𝜇 𝐿
.
𝜇 𝜌 𝑑𝑙
𝑘 p2− p1
▪ 𝑞 = −𝐴 + 𝜌𝑔. 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
𝜇 𝑑𝑙
𝑘 𝑑p
𝑞=𝐴 − 𝜌𝑔. 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
𝜇 𝑑𝑙
𝑘 𝑑p
=𝐴 − 0.4335𝛾. 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
𝜇 𝑑𝑙
▪ The generalized equation with Darcy’s flow is for inclined system:

𝑘 P1 − P2
𝑞=𝐴 − 𝜌𝑔. 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼
𝜇 𝐿
Fig. 6: Inclined or dipping flow system.

Unit of Permeability
• From Darcy’s law: unit of permeability is cm2 and Dimension of k is [L2].
• Common unit is the Darcy:
“If 1 atmosphere of pressure drop is required to flow a liquid of 1 cp viscosity through a porous
medium of 1cm length and 1cm2 cross-sectional area at a rate of 1cm3 per second, then the
medium has a permeability of 1 darcy”
• In Field Unit, where
q, k, A, ΔP, μ and L are in bbl/day, mD, ft2 , psi, cp

and ft, respectively.
Unit Conversion of Permeability
• Common unit is the Darcy: 1 Darcy = 9.869 x 10-9 cm2 = 10-8 cm2 = 10-12 m2 = 1𝝁𝒎𝟐
𝑘 𝑑p
𝑞=𝐴
𝜇 𝑑𝑙
• However, 1 Darcy is a relatively high permeability

because most reservoir rocks have permeabilities less
than 1 Darcy.
• In order to avoid the use of fractions in describing the
reservoir rock permeability, the term millidarcy (mD) is
used:
𝟏𝒎𝑫 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟏𝑫
Example
• A homogeneous core is placed inside a metal cylinder such that there is no leakage
between the core and the cylinder. The apparatus is tilted 45o , and the core is flooded with
water. The pressure at the upper end of the core is 1.20 bar and the pressure at the lower
end is 1.00 bar. The cross sectional area of the core is 15 cm2 and the length of the core is
1.0 m. The permeability of the core is 5.0 D.
i. Find the flow rate through the core.
ii. Find the pressure required at the lower end to stop the flow through the core.
Solution:
𝑘 p2 − p1
i. 𝑞 = −𝐴
𝜇 𝑑𝑙
+ 𝜌𝑔. 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 17 m3/day.
𝑘 p2 − p1
ii. 𝑞 = 0 = −𝐴 + 𝜌𝑔. 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 , p1 = 1.27 𝑏𝑎𝑟
𝜇 𝑑𝑙
Unit System in PE
Horizontal and Vertical Permeability
• Horizontal permeability: Permeability for flow in a direction that is perpendicular to
gravity, It is kh.
▪ By contrast, vertical permeability (kv) is the permeability for flow in the direction aligned with
the direction of the gravitational field.
▪ Horizontal permeability kh (i.e., parallel to bedding) is generally greater than vertical kv (i.e.,
normal to bedding) because of vertical changes in sorting and because of bedding laminations.
▪ High vertical, kv generally results from fracturing or even burrowing that cuts across bedding.
▪ Most reservoir rocks have space variations of permeability.
▪ For example, reservoir rocks may contain distinct layers, blocks, or concentric rings of ixed
permeability. In such cases, the permeability values are averaged according to the particular
type of low: Parallel or Series
Upscaled Horizontal Permeability
▪ Horizontal permeability kh (i.e., parallel to bedding): Consider the case of fluid low taking
place in parallel through different layers of vertically stacked porous media in Fig. A.
▪ These individual layers of porous media that have varying ∆p=𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕

permeability and thickness are separated from one another
by ininitely thin impermeable barriers that prevent the
Layer 1
possibility of cross low or vertical low. Layer 2
▪ The average permeability for such a combination can be Layer 3
easily developed by applying Darcy’s law to the

individual layers.
Fig. A: Fluid low through a parallel combination.
▪ By following Darcy’s law, when A = Wh:
𝑘1 ∆p 𝑘2 ∆p 𝑘3 ∆p
For layer 1: 𝑄1 = 𝑊ℎ1 , For layer 2: 𝑄2 = 𝑊ℎ2 , For layer 3: 𝑄3 = 𝑊ℎ3
𝜇 𝐿 𝜇 𝐿 𝜇 𝐿
Upscaled Horizontal Permeability-Cont’d
▪ Since flow is taking place in parallel, the total volumetric low rate can be equated to the
summation of the individual low rates through the three layers:
𝑸𝒕 = 𝑸𝟏 + 𝑸𝟐 + 𝑸𝟑 𝒉𝒕 = 𝒉 𝟏 + 𝒉 𝟐 + 𝒉 𝟑 𝑾𝒕 = 𝑾𝟏 + 𝑾𝟐 + 𝑾 𝟑 = W
▪ Darcy’s law can be written for the total low rate for the entire systems 𝒏
𝒌𝒊 𝑨𝒊
𝒌𝒂𝒗𝒈 =෍
using 𝑘𝑎𝑣𝑔 as the average permeability: 𝑨𝒕
𝒊=𝟏
𝑘𝑎𝑣𝑔 ∆p
𝑄𝑡 = 𝑊ℎ𝑡
𝜇 𝐿
Layer 1
𝑘1 ∆p 𝑘2 ∆p 𝑘3 ∆p
𝑄𝑡 = 𝑊ℎ1 + 𝑊ℎ2 + 𝑊ℎ3 Layer 2
Layer 3
𝒏
𝒌𝒂𝒗𝒈 𝒉𝒕 = 𝒌𝟏 𝒉𝟏 + 𝒌𝟐 𝒉𝟐 + 𝒌𝟑 𝒉𝟑 𝒌𝒊 𝒉𝒊
𝒌𝒂𝒗𝒈 = ෍
𝒉𝒕 Fig. A: Fluid low through a parallel combination.
𝒊=𝟏
Upscaled Horizontal Permeability-Cont’d
▪ Since flow is taking place in parallel, 𝑸𝒕 = 𝑸𝟏 + 𝑸𝟐 + 𝑸𝟑 𝑾𝒕 = 𝑾𝟏 + 𝑾𝟐 + 𝑾𝟑
𝑘𝑎𝑣𝑔 ∆p
𝑄𝑡 = 𝐴𝑐𝑡
𝜇 𝐿 𝒏
𝒌𝒊 𝑨𝒄𝒊
𝑘 ∆p 𝑘 ∆p 𝑘 ∆p
𝒌𝒂𝒗𝒈 =෍
𝑄𝑡 =𝐴𝑐1 1 + 𝐴𝑐2 2 + 𝐴𝑐3 3 𝑨𝒄𝒕
𝒊=𝟏
𝒌𝒂𝒗𝒈 𝐴𝑐𝑡 = 𝒌𝟏 𝐴𝑐1 + 𝒌𝟐 𝐴𝑐1 + 𝒌𝟑 𝐴𝑐1 Bed (Layer) 1
𝒏
𝒌𝒊 𝒉𝒊 𝑾𝒊 Bed (Layer) 2
𝒌𝒂𝒗𝒈 = ෍ where 𝑨𝒄𝒊 = 𝑾𝒊 𝒉𝒊
𝒉𝒕 𝑾𝒕
𝒊=𝟏
Bed (Layer) 3
▪ Where all beds are of the same width (W), 𝒏

𝒌𝒊 𝒉𝒊
𝒌𝒂𝒗𝒈 = ෍ Fig. B: Fluid low through a parallel beds.
𝒉𝒕
𝒊=𝟏
Upscaled Permeability for Series Flow
▪ The other type of low encountered primarily in horizontal wells is vertical low in which
fluids must pass in series from one zone to the next.
Q=𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕
▪ Figure C illustrates a series low taking place through a
stack of porous media of varying 𝑘𝑎 and lengths.
▪ The mathematical expression for calculating the 𝑘𝑎𝑣𝑔 for

a low system shown in Figure C is developed in the Layer 1 Layer 1 Layer 3
following text.
▪ Again writing Darcy’s law for each of the layers or blocks
of porous medium stacked in series
Fig. C: Fluid low through a series combination.
𝑘1 ∆𝑝1
For layer 1: 𝑄1 = 𝑤ℎ , For layer 2: 𝑄2 = 𝑤ℎ 𝑘2 ∆𝑝2
, For layer 3: 𝑄3 = 𝑤ℎ
𝑘1 ∆𝑝3
𝜇 𝐿1 𝜇 𝐿2 𝜇 𝐿3
Upscaled Permeability for Series Flow-Cont’d
▪ For series low, each of these layers (or blocks) has a different differential pressure and the
summation of these is equal to the total differential pressure of the entire flow system.
Q= 𝑄1 = 𝑄2 = 𝑄3 Q=𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕
∆𝑷𝒕 = ∆𝑷𝟏 + ∆𝑷𝟐 + ∆𝑷𝟑 = 𝑷𝟒 − 𝑷𝟏 𝑳𝒕 = 𝑳𝟏 + 𝑳𝟐 + 𝑳𝟑
▪ Darcy’s law can be written for the total low rate using the
entire systems to obtain 𝑘𝑎𝑣𝑔 :
Layer 1 Layer 2 Layer 3
𝐿𝑡 𝑄𝑡 𝐿𝑡 𝑄𝑡 𝐿1 𝑄1 𝐿2 𝑄2 𝐿3 𝑄3
∆𝑷𝒕 = = + +
𝑘𝑎𝑣𝑔 𝑊ℎ 𝑘𝑎𝑣𝑔 𝑊ℎ 𝑘1 𝑊ℎ 𝑘2 𝑊ℎ 𝑘3 𝑊ℎ
𝑳𝒕 𝑳𝟏 𝑳𝟐 𝑳𝟑 𝒏
= + + 𝑳𝒊
𝒌𝒂𝒗𝒈 𝒌𝟏 𝒌𝟐 𝒌𝟑 𝒌𝒂𝒗𝒈 = ෍ 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒇𝒍𝒐𝒘
(𝑳𝒊 /𝒌𝒊 )
𝒊=𝟏
Fig. C: Fluid low through a series.
▪ A similar mathematical treatment used here can also be used to derive equations for a radial flow
system for parallel flow and serial flow beds.
Home Task/Self Study
1. What is the conversion factor between k, expressed in Darcies to cm2 and metre2.
2. Convert the full equation for the linear flow of an incompressible fluid, which in Darcy
units is to field units.
3. Develop the following equation for the linear

flow of compressible fluid:
4. Develop the following model of kavg for radial

flow in series beds,
21
Home Task/Self Study
22

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PME 111 Reservoir Rock and Fluid Properties

Darcy’s Law and Average Rock Permeability

✓ Concept of Permeability (k)

▪ In a word: Permeability is “the ability of a porous medium to conduct fluids”.

Fig. 2: Horizontal flow system.

▪ Darcy's law is for radial flow:

• If production from the reservoir into the well is taken

where Q is the low rate (m3 /s),

▪ The generalized equation with Darcy’s flow is for inclined system:

Fig. 6: Inclined or dipping flow system.

• In Field Unit, where

q, k, A, ΔP, μ and L are in bbl/day, mD, ft2 , psi, cp

• However, 1 Darcy is a relatively high permeability

▪ These individual layers of porous media that have varying ∆p=𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕

▪ The average permeability for such a combination can be Layer 3

easily developed by applying Darcy’s law to the

𝒌𝒂𝒗𝒈 𝐴𝑐𝑡 = 𝒌𝟏 𝐴𝑐1 + 𝒌𝟐 𝐴𝑐1 + 𝒌𝟑 𝐴𝑐1 Bed (Layer) 1

▪ Where all beds are of the same width (W), 𝒏

▪ The mathematical expression for calculating the 𝑘𝑎𝑣𝑔 for

3. Develop the following equation for the linear

4. Develop the following model of kavg for radial

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