Further Developments in the Laboratory Determination of Relative Permeability

Abstract

Abstract An earlier publication has discussed three methods for obtaining relativepermeability data on small core samples and the apparatus and technique for thecapillary pressure displacement method. This paper describes the apparatus andtechnique for the solution gas and the dynamic displacement methods andpresents a routine procedure for obtaining oil-gas and water-oil relativepermeability data. Theoretical and experimental considerations are presented to show that theend effect commonly associated with the dynamic flow mechanism is extremelysmall where constant rates are employed in the flowing phase. An effect of flowrate on relative permeabilities obtained by the dynamic system is found onlywhen gas is one of the flowing phases and this effect is ascribed to a form ofchanneling in the capillary system. The apparatus and procedures used to obtain relative permeability data withthree phases flowing are described and some preliminary results of the use ofthis method are shown. Introduction In a previous publication from this laboratory there appeared a briefdiscussion of the concepts behind three basic methods for obtaining relativepermeability data. These three methods were called the capillary pressuredisplacement method, the solution gas displacement method, and the dynamicdisplacement method - the names being suggestive of the type of process usedfor obtaining the desired saturation prior to making the permeabilitymeasurements. In the same publication, the apparatus and technique for thecapillary pressure displacement method were described and some typical resultsobtained by this method were presented. This paper will present:The routine procedure used to obtain permeability data on small coresamples flowing;The experimental techniques for the solution gas and dynamic displacementmethods for obtaining relative permeability data;The results of some studies on the mechanism of fluid flow throughconsolidated porous media; and,The preliminary results on the determination of relative permeability for asystem in which three phases are flowing. T.P. 3056