An Overview of Relating Pore Size Distribution Diagrams to Permeability
Open Access
Author:
Al Mulhim, Noorah
Area of Honors:
Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Anne Menefee, Thesis Supervisor Eugene C Morgan, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
Permeability pore size distribution permeability and pore size distribution relationship
Abstract:
Pore size, pore structure, and pore size distribution (PSD) are primary controls on permeability in porous media. Measuring PSD is a straightforward exercise and typically shows a bimodal distribution of pore sizes in rocks. The set of larger pores is the primary control on permeability, whereas the set of smaller pores contributes only a fraction to the bulk permeability. Permeability is a measure of a rock's ability to conduct fluid, however, its relationship to pore size distribution is complex. This thesis provides a comprehensive literature review comparing the advantages and disadvantages of pore size distribution measurements and permeability models for various reservoir engineering applications. In addition, an analytic evaluation of models that attempt to predict permeability based on PSD data either empirically or semi-empirically is presented, along with a discussion of limitations of such models and recommendations for best practices. To enclose the relationship between pore size distribution and permeability requires more research from specialists in the field work. Regarding this matter, there is no accurate testing to conclude this relationship.
