Correction of laboratory gas permeability measurements using Klinkenberg-type correction models
Tuan G. Hoang A , Peter Behrenbruch B C and Phil Do Huu BA Australian School of Petroleum, University of Adelaide, South Australia 5000.
B Bear and Brook Consulting Pty Ltd, 135 Hilda Street, Corinda, Queensland 4075.
C Corresponding author. Email: peter.behrenbruch@adelaide.edu.au
The APPEA Journal 57(1) 171-176 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ16064
Accepted: 14 February 2017 Published: 29 May 2017
Abstract
Routine laboratory permeability measurements require both overburden correction and in the case of lower permeability gas measurements also Klinkenberg-type correction, accounting for slippage of gas when flowing through a porous medium. These corrections are necessary for obtaining representative permeability values for dynamic simulation. The objective of this paper is to determine the most suitable technique for determining representative, equivalent reservoir permeability.
Laboratory permeability is routinely measured using different types of gases, most often helium and air, less often liquid. Single phase permeability measurements should be independent of the measuring fluid. However, laboratory permeability measurements using gas tend to overestimate sample permeability due to gas slippage. This effect was first reported by Klinkenberg (1941). Influencing factors are type of gas, mean experimental pressure and rock properties. The so called ‘Square-root model’ (Florence et al. 2007) accounts for all of these factors and is an extension of Klinkenberg’s original equation. The applicability of the Square-root model and earlier Klinkenberg-type models of Jones and Owens (1979) and Sampath and Keighin (1981) for correcting single-point laboratory gas permeability measurements are investigated on a comparative basis. Furthermore, Klinkenberg-type corrections are best made after overburden correction.
The study presented involves a parametric approach of the gas slippage influencing factors, in addition to a comparison of alternative formulations. In comparing various Klinkenberg-type corrections, it is shown that the Square-root model compares most favourably and is most suitable for correcting laboratory data in the absence of specific measurements, as validated by comparison with laboratory deduced measurements.
Datasets from the Asia-Pacific region and elsewhere are used to exemplify the methodology.
Tuan G. Hoang is currently a postgraduate student at the University of Adelaide, studying for his Master by research degree. Prior to commencing his current studies in early 2016, he worked for Bear and Brook Consulting during the second half of 2015. He completed his undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Western Australia earlier in 2015. |
Peter Behrenbruch is currently an independent consultant with over 40 years of industry experience. Commencing his career in Canada in the early 1970s, Peter worked for Shell in Europe in the late 1970s before migrating to Australia, working for Woodside in the early 1980s, involved in implementing the initial phase of the North West Shelf (LNG) Development. He subsequently worked for BHP Billiton for 16 years, involved in many Timor Sea developments and other Australian offshore projects – project manager for the Skua and Griffin developments (feasibility stage), as well as worldwide operations, including Deepwater Gulf of Mexico, North Sea and Vietnam. His next major engagement was in academia, where he started the School of Petroleum Engineering and Management at the University of Adelaide in 2001 ($25 million grant by Santos), and as inaugural Head of School saw the first students graduate in 2005. He subsequently re-joined the industry in 2007 and was responsible as project director and COO for establishing first production from the Puffin field, Timor Sea (AED Oil and SINOPEC). Over the last few years, Peter established Bear and Brook Consulting, engaged in consulting, teaching of university and industry courses, and research and development activities in the area of special core analysis. |
Phil Do Huu has been employed as principal reservoir engineer by Bear and Brook Consulting since early 2014, being responsible for computer programming new methodologies for the development of a comprehensive core data evaluation, analysis and modelling system. He commenced his career in Vietnam after doing postgraduate work at the University of Adelaide, the School of Petroleum Engineering and Management (now the Australian School of Petroleum), first teaching (2006–07) at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and subsequently working as a senior reservoir engineer (2008–14) at Cuu Long, a Joint Operating Co. between Petrovietnam and foreign parties. |
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