Displacements, Saturations, and Porosity Profiles from Steady-State Permeability Measurements

Abstract

Steady-state permeameters were extensively automated to decide when steady-state conditions are reached and when to change the fluid injection ratios for reduced operator demand and improve data quality. A communication system was installed to allow monitoring and control of the permeameter using computers at remote locations. The permeameters use a X-ray scanning system to determine the fluid saturations. Since data are collected at incremental points along the length of the test rock, the saturation measurement system was used to determine the shapes of displacement fronts. Examples are given of immiscible gas-brine and oil-brine displacement fronts. A method for determining porosity profiles from steady-state data is given. Several examples of porosity profiles for sandstone and carbonates are presented.