PETE 311-Reservoir Spring 2023
Lab 8 - Determination of Permeability Using Gas
Determination of Permeability Using Gas
OBJECTIVE
The objective is to study the concept of permeability and its measurement using gases as
the measurement fluid during flow through a core sample. Determination of permeability is
particularly important because it can change by 5 to 6 orders of magnitude over vertical distances
of a few cm in the formation.
PERMEABILITY DETERMINATION USING STEADY STATE METHOD
Last week, we measured the permeability of a core sample using a liquid under “steady
state” conditions. Steady state refers to when a fluid is injected through a core sample with a
constant flow rate while maintaining a constant pressure differential across the core (Figure 5).
This week we will make permeability measurements using a gas (Nitrogen) under steady state
conditions. Figure 1 shows the laboratory setup for the method.
We can use the flow equation given for compressible fluids (gases) in Lecture Notes 5 to
calculate the permeability. If we assume 𝑇 = 𝑇𝑠𝑐 , 𝑧 = 1, 𝑃2 = 𝑃𝑠𝑐 , the equation simplifies to;
2000𝜇𝑞𝑃2 𝐿
𝑘= … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … . (1)
𝐴(𝑃12 − 𝑃22 )
where:
q = Flow rate, cc/s k = Permeability, mD A = Area, cm2
P = Pressure, atm 𝜇 = Viscosity, cp L = Length, cm
Valve 3
Valve 1
Inlet
Valve 2
Pressure
Valve 1
Conf.
Pressure
Flow
Regulator
Inlet Outlet
Flowmeter
Figure 1 – Laboratory setup for the steady state gas permeameter
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PETE 311-Reservoir Spring 2023
Lab 8 - Determination of Permeability Using Gas
THE KLINKENBERG EFFECT
Figure 2 - Left: Velocity profile during laminar flow; Right: Modified velocity profile
showing molecular slip velocity at the capillary wall
One would think that a safe strategy for measuring permeability in the laminar region
(Figure 2, left) would be to use small gas pressure during the flow experiment. However, a
complexity arises at low pressure using simple gases with low molecular weight, such as helium
and methane. A phenomenon known as “gas slippage” develops by the capillary walls. The gas
molecules by the walls maintain a non-zero velocity, which in turn leads to an amplified velocity
profile and affect the flow (Figure 2, right). In essence, in the presence of gas slip, we measure
higher gas flow rates (hence predict larger permeability) during the flow experiment.
L. J. Klinkenberg was the first to observe this phenomenon and proposed a slip correction
method during the permeability measurements with gas. To honor his name, we often referred
to this correction as the Klinkenberg effect in the petroleum industry. Based on his theory of
molecular slip, he proposed the following equation also known as the Klinkenberg equation:
𝑏
𝑘𝑔 = 𝑘 [1 + 𝑝 ] .....................................................................................(2)
𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒
where:
𝑘𝑔 = 𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑔𝑎𝑠, 𝑚𝑑
𝑘 = 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑠 𝑖𝑓 𝑢𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑙𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑑, 𝑚𝑑
𝑏 = 𝐾𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑘𝑒𝑛𝑏𝑒𝑟𝑔′ 𝑠 𝑠𝑙𝑖𝑝 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡
(𝑝1 + 𝑝2 )
𝑝𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 = , 𝑃𝑎
2
According to Eq. 2, a plot of the apparent permeability 𝑘𝑔 measured at different levels of mean
pressure 𝑝𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 versus the mean pressure should give a straight line (Figure 3) and the y-axis
intercept (i.e., permeability at infinite gas pressure) should be the slippage-corrected
permeability, or the “liquid” permeability. (Here we use the word liquid because of the fact that
molecules of liquid do not slip by the capillary walls.)
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PETE 311-Reservoir Spring 2023
Lab 8 - Determination of Permeability Using Gas
In Figure 3, three separate straight lines -one for each type of gas- with different levels of
slip. Note that flow of Gas 1 in the rock experiences the highest level of slip (the largest slope)
compared to Gas 2 and Gas 3, due to its small molecular weight. The greater the molecular weight
of the flowing gas, the less slippage observed. Also note that, regardless of the gas type, the
intercept point is the same, which is the “true” or “liquid” permeability of the rock.
Figure 3 – Gas Permeability of a sample varies with the pressure and molecular weight
of the gas
Under reservoir conditions, where the pressure is high, the Klinkenberg effect is seldom
large enough to be a concern. However, in the lab, the Klinkenberg effect results in measured
permeability values that are greater than the true values obtained using a liquid in the same
medium (as shown in Figure 3).
PERMEABILITY DETERMINATION USING PULSE DECAY METHOD
Slightly different than previous laboratory session, during this session we will determine
permeability using gas on different core plugs by employing a transient measurement method
also known as pressure pulse decay method. We will measure the pressure drop across a dry,
clean core sample when pulse gas is injected through the sample at different injection pressure.
This method is more common in laboratory because it gives faster results compared to the
steady-state measurements with liquid. Using this method, all measurements are taken during
its pressure transient response to the applied pulse, therefore there is no need to wait until flow
condition reaches steady-state, which could take long time in the case of ultra-low permeability
rock samples such as shale. This lab exercise also addresses the Klinkenberg’s gas slippage effect,
a peculiar phenomenon due to mass transport of gas molecules developing near the capillary
walls of the pore-network.
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PETE 311-Reservoir Spring 2023
Lab 8 - Determination of Permeability Using Gas
Because of its usefulness in measuring low permeability, nowadays the pulse decay
method is often discussed in the industry. Figure 4 shows the laboratory setup for the method.
It is based on unsteady-state flow conditions imposed during the experiment. Here, unsteady-
state flow means that the flow takes place in a time-dependent fashion (Figure 5); this type of
flow is also known as transient flow. Initially, the core holder with the core sample under
confining stress and the upstream and downstream tanks are under equilibrium and charged
with measurement fluid at a relatively high fluid pressure value and temperature, representative
of the formation conditions. In this technique, a small pore pressure pulse ∆𝑝𝑖 is applied to one
end of a core sample by increasing the pressure at the upstream tank p2, while maintaining the
pressure at the downstream tank constant p1. This initial pressure difference ∆𝑝𝑖 is the pulse
needed to trigger gas flow through the rock from the upstream end of the sample to downstream
end. As the flow continues the pressure pulse ∆𝑝 decays as a nonlinear function of time. Let us
assume that the pulse decay follows an exponential decay as follows:
∆𝑝
= 𝑒 −(𝛼𝑘𝑡) ..............................................................................................(3)
∆𝑝𝑖
Here, t is the time during flow and pulse decay, and k the permeability of the core plug sample
and α is a laboratory parameter, which is influenced by the sizes of the tanks V1 and V2,
geometrical factors of the core plug (assuming a cylinder: L, A=π r2) and μg the viscosity of the
flowing gas.
𝐴 1 1
𝛼= [ + ] ...................................................................................(4)
𝑐𝑔 𝜇𝑔 𝐿 𝑉1 𝑉2
Figure 4 - Laboratory setup for pressure pulse decay experiment
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PETE 311-Reservoir Spring 2023
Lab 8 - Determination of Permeability Using Gas
Let us summarize the pressure pulse decay experiment related quantities and their units:
∆𝑝 = 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑑𝑟𝑜𝑝 𝑎𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑒 (𝑝𝑢𝑝𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑚 − 𝑝𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑚 ), 𝑃𝑎
𝑘𝑔 = 𝑔𝑎𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦, 𝑚𝑑
𝑡 = 𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑝𝑠𝑒 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒, 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑
𝐴 = 𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎, 𝑚2
1
𝑐𝑔 = 𝑔𝑎𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦,
𝑃𝑎
𝜇𝑔 = 𝑔𝑎𝑠 𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦, 𝑃𝑎. 𝑠
𝐿 = 𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ, 𝑚
𝑉1 , 𝑉2 = 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑚 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑢𝑝𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑚 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑘𝑠 , 𝑚3
Now, let us arrange Eq.3 to yield a plotting function as follows:
∆𝑝
ln ( ) = 𝛼𝑘𝑡 ............................................................................................(5)
∆𝑝𝑖
Indeed Eq. 5 takes a linear form with zero intercept, similar to 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥, where
∆𝑝
𝑦 = ln (∆𝑝 )
𝑖
𝑥=𝑡
𝑚 = 𝛼𝑘𝑔
and permeability k can be estimated from the constant slope of the straight line, 𝑚:
𝑚
𝑘= .............................................................................................................(6)
𝛼
Figure 5 – Flow rate and pressure behavior during steady state and unsteady state flow
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PETE 311-Reservoir Spring 2023
Lab 8 - Determination of Permeability Using Gas
LABORATORY EXPERIMENT
Equipment
• Steady-State Gas Permeameter
• 1-inch diameter core sample
• Nitrogen supply
Safety and Precautions
• When working with the nitrogen/Helium tank, it is necessary to be extremely cautious
because the tank is under high pressure.
• When working with a core holder, it is important to be very cautious. Avoid injuries and
damage to the equipment. Keep in mind that you are working with gas at high pressure.
The expansion properties of gas are much greater than liquid.
• It is important to wear safety glasses at all times in the lab; use caution and do not become
complacent because the lab tests are repetitive.
Experimental Procedure
Core samples should be clean and in dry condition for the experiment. It is important that the
edges of the sample are flat to fit in the core-holder without gaps that can cause overestimation
of sample pore volume. The experiments are conducted at ambient temperature 25 °C. Nitrogen
is used for the permeability measurements.
Steady State Method
1. Check core-holder inside, clean it if needed.
2. Insert core sample, close end caps by tightening the screws, and adjust the position of the
sample by pushing the piston of the core-holder, exercise care such that no gaps are left
between the sample and the caps.
3. Apply a confining pressure of 350 psi using the Nitrogen tank.
• While Valve 3 is closed and Valve 2 is pointing “Confining”, open Valve 1. Observe
350 psi on confining pressure gauge.
• Open Valve 3 and observe a slight drop on confining pressure. It should go back to
350 psi, confirming the successful application of confining pressure on the core.
4. Record the pressure reading on the Inlet Pressure Gauge as atmospheric pressure (𝑃2 =
𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚 ).
5. Gently turn the flow regulator knob clockwise. Observe the pressure increase on the Inlet
Pressure Gauge. Observe flow rate increase on the flow meter. (The maximum capacity
of the flowmeter is 540 ml/min. Do not exceed).
6. Wait for pressure and flow rate to stabilize.
7. Record the pressure and flow rate.
8. Repeat the procedure at higher pressures 2 times more to perform Klinkenberg
correction.
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PETE 311-Reservoir Spring 2023
Lab 8 - Determination of Permeability Using Gas
9. Gently turn the flow regulator knob counter clockwise until the inlet pressure reads
atmospheric pressure.
10. Close the nitrogen supply valve.
11. Vent all the pressure by turning Valve 2 to “vent”.
12. Close all three valves (Valve 1, Valve 2, Valve 3).
13. Remove the core sample from the core holder.
Unsteady State Method (Pulse Decay)
1. Check core-holder inside, clean it if needed.
2. Insert core sample, close end caps by tightening the screws, and adjust the position of the
sample by pushing the piston of the core-holder, exercise care such that no gaps are left
between the sample and the caps.
3. Apply confining pressure using the water hydraulic pump. Monitor confinement pressure
from display port of syringe Pump.
4. Open the DAQ software system in the computer to record pressures from the
transducers.
5. Check pressures from gauges to match transducer reading. If not, perform the proper
calibration on transducers.
6. Check that all valves are initially closed. Also pressures inside core-holder should be
atmospheric.
7. Then, open fill up valve to let gas fill upstream volume (V1). A difference between
confinement pressure and initial pore pressure should be held, at least of 200 psi.
8. Open Valve #1 to admit gas into the sample held in core-holder and reach initial pore
pressure. Let system to fully permeate the core sample.
9. Then, induce a pulse across the sample by filling up downstream volume, let system re-
equilibrate by allowing gas to expand in downstream volume, while pulse is traveling the
length of core.
10. While pressure in upstream volume is decaying, pressure in downstream volume is
increasing, and the core experience a transient flow of gas. Acquire pressure drop data
over time using differential pressure transducer. Observe pressure drop-transient
response. Pressure difference (upstream-downstream pressures) should equilibrate back
to zero pressure difference. Make sure to acquire enough data from the test (sample at
least every second).
11. Repeat procedure for higher initial pressures. A complete set (at least 3 tests) of gas
injections should be performed, then compute apparent permeabilities and correct using
Klinkenberg correction.
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PETE 311-Reservoir Spring 2023
Lab 8 - Determination of Permeability Using Gas
THE PROBE PERMEAMETER
The probe or mini-permeameter is a simple gas-flow measuring device designed to make
a large number of very rapid, localized, non-destructive permeability measurements using the
pulse method (Figure 6). The device is very simple in concept; a hollow tube is pressed against a
flat rock surface and gas injected through the tube into the rock. The gas pressure and flow rate
are monitored and a value of permeability calculated for the rock near the tip.
The primary factors affecting the probe gas-flow are the permeability of the rock at the sampling
location, the viscosity of the gas at the injection pressure and temperature, the sealing quality
between the tip and the rock, the gas flow geometry within the rock, and some flow effects at
low and high gas pressures. A revised form of Eq. 4 can be used to determine the permeability
from the gas flow and pressure:
Figure 6 – Schematic diagram of a probe permeameter
2𝑞𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑓 𝜇 1
𝑘= ; ………………………………………………………………………………………….. (7)
𝑃1 2 −𝑃2 2 𝑎𝐺𝑝
where,
P1 = injection pressure (absolute) of the gas at the tip, atm
P2 = is the outlet pressure i.e., atmospheric pressure, atm
a = internal radius of the tip-seal, cm
Gp = a geometric factor for the tip and its seal, unitless.
The geometrical factor G in Eqs. 3 and 4 has units of length and the product aGp also has those
units. Both give a scale or characteristic distance of the system. The same gas flow equation is
used for the probe as for core plugs; only the geometric factor has changed to denote a change
in the direction of gas flow in the rock, which is approximately hemispherical for the probe.
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PETE 311-Reservoir Spring 2023
Lab 8 - Determination of Permeability Using Gas
The probe measurement is non-destructive because no core plugs need to be cut to make a
measurement. This means that it is more economical to use the probe rather than cut plugs.
Economics, however, are only one aspect of the story. Core plugs may still be preferred if other
measurements, such as porosity and fluid saturations, are desired. Probe data are useful for
detailed permeability measurements because measurements may be made at much smaller
spacing than core plugs. For example, a probe permeability measurement can be made every few
mm along the core.
DATA SHEET
Steady State Method
Parameters to use
D (inch) 1
L (inch) 1.5
μ (cP) 0.01744
A (inch2)
D (cm)
L (cm)
A (cm2)
1 inch = 2.54 cm
P1 (psi) P2 (psi) P1 (atm) P2 (atm) ΔP (atm) q (ml/min) q (cc/s) k (mD) 1/Pavg
1 psi = 0.068 atm 1 ml/min = 0.0167 cc/s Pavg = (P1+P2)/2
Hints:
• Perform necessary unit conversions
• Atmospheric pressure you read at the start of the experiment is P 2.
• Calculate permeability using Equation 1.
• Plot permeability vs. 1/Pavg to obtain Klinkenberg permeability. Show your plot.
Unsteady State Method (Pulse Decay)
Refer to the Excel spreadsheet (PETE 311 – Lab 08 (USS Data Set).xlsx) attached on Canvas.
Don’t forget to perform necessary unit conversions given inside the spreadsheet.
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