Applications of mercury intrusion capillary pressure for pore structures: A review
Abstract view|706|times PDF download|333|times
Abstract
The shape, size, and connectivity of porous structures control the overall storage capacity and flow in oil and gas reservoirs. The mercury intrusion capillary pressure (MICP) technique is widely utilized to measure capillary pressure and calculate pore size distribution of core samples in the geo-energy industry. Combining the MICP capillary pressure data with parameters from other experimental methods (such as scanning electron microscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance) or theoretical approaches (such as fractal theory) can more accurately describe the pore structure of reservoirs. In this paper, the latest advances on the application of primary drainage MICP curves from reservoir porous structures are reviewed in three main aspects: The measurement and calculation of MICP capillary pressure, estimation of pore size distributions making use of fractal characteristics, and determination of permeability. Experimental measurements and numerical simulation methods of MICP capillary pressure with its influencing factors are also discussed. MICP capillary pressure combined with other methods are argued to be one of the main directions for future research on reservoir pore structures.
Cited as: Jiao, L., Andersen, P.Ø., Zhou, J., Cai, J. Applications of mercury intrusion capillary pressure for pore structures: A review. Capillarity, 2020, 3(4): 62-74, doi: 10.46690/capi.2020.04.02
Keywords
Full Text:
PDFReferences
Allen, T. Particle Size Measurement. New York, USA, Chapman and Hall, 1974.
Angulo, R.F., Alvarado, V., Gonzalez, H. Fractal dimensions from mercury intrusion capillary tests. Paper SPE 23695 Presented at SPE Latin America Petroleum Engineering Conference, Caracas, Venezuela, 8-11 March, 1992.
Arns, C.H., Bauget, F., Limaye, A., et al. Pore-scale charac-terization of carbonates using X-ray microtomography. SPE J. 2005, 10(4): 475-484.
Brooks, R., Corey, A. Hydraulic properties of porous media. Hydrol. Pap. 1964, 7: 892-898.
Buiting, J.J.M., Clerke, E.A. Permeability from porosimetry measurements: Derivation for a tortuous and fractal tubular bundle. J. Pet. Sci. Eng. 2013, 108: 267-278.
Butt, H.J., Graf, K., Kappl, M. Physics and Chemistry of Interface. Weinheim, Germany, Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 2003.
Cai, J., Luo, L., Ye, R., et al. Recent advances on fractal modeling of permeability for fibrous porous media. Fractals 2015, 23(1): 1540006.
Cai, J., Wei, W., Hu, X., et al. Fractal characterization of dynamic fracture network extension in porous media. Fractals 2017, 25(2): 1750023.
Cai, Y., Liu, D., Pan, Z., et al. Investigating the effects of seepage-pores and fractures on coal permeability by fractal analysis. Transp. Porous Media 2016, 111(2): 479-497.
Cerepi, A., Durand, C., Brosse, E. Pore microgeometry analysis in low-resistivity sandstone reservoirs. J. Pet. Sci. Eng. 2002, 35(3): 205-232.
Cheng, Z., Ning, Z., Yu, X., et al. New insights into spontaneous imbibition in tight oil sandstones with NMR. J. Pet. Sci. Eng. 2019, 179: 455-464.
Chung, C., Lin, H. Enhancing immiscible fluid displacement in porous media by capillary pressure discontinuities. Transp. Porous Media 2017, 120(2): 309-325.
Comisky, J., Newsham, K., Rushing, J., et al. A Comparative study of capillary-pressure-based empirical models for estimating absolute permeability in tight gas sands. Paper SPE 110050 Presented at SPE Annual Technical Conferencend Exhibition, Anaheim, California, 11-14 November, 2007.
Comisky, J.T., Santiago, M., McCollom, B., et al. Sample size effects on the application of mercury injection capillary pressure for determining the storage capacity of tight gas and oil shales. Paper SPE 149432 Presented at SPE Canadian Unconventional Resources Conference, Calgary, Alberta, 15-17 November, 2011.
Corey, A.T. The interrelation between gas and oil relative permeabilities. Prod. Mon. 1954, 19(1): 38-41.
Culligan, K.A., Wildenschild, D., Christensen, B., et al. Interfacial area measurements for unsaturated flow through a porous medium. Water Resour. Res. 2004, 40(12): 1-12.
Dakhelpour-Ghoveifel, J., Shegeftfard, M., Dejam, M. Capillary-based method for rock typing in transition zone of carbonate reservoirs. J. Pet. Explor. Prod. Technol. 2019, 9(3): 2009-2018.
Dejam, M. The role of fracture capillary pressure on the block-to-block interaction process. J. Porous Media 2018, 21(11): 1121-1136.
Friesen, W.I., Mikula, R.J. Fractal dimensions of coal particles. J. Colloid Interface Sci. 1987, 120(1): 263-271.
Giesche, H. Mercury porosimetry: A general (practical) overview. Part. Part. Syst. Charact. 2010, 23(1): 9-19.
Gueguen, Y., Palciauskas, V., Jeanloz, R. Introduction to the physics of rocks. Phys. Today 1995, 48(4): 87-88.
Guo, R., Xie, Q., Qu, X., et al. Fractal characteristics of pore-throat structure and permeability estimation of tight sandstone reservoirs: A case study of Chang 7 of the upper triassic Yanchang formation in Longdong area, Ordos Basin, China. J. Pet. Sci. Eng. 2020, 184: 106555.
Hao, L., Tang, J., Wang, Q., et al. Fractal characteristics of tight sandstone reservoirs: A case from the upper triassic Yanchang formation, Ordos Basin, China. J. Pet. Sci. Eng. 2017, 158: 243-252.
He, C., Hua, M. Fractal geometry description of reservoir pore structure. Oil and Gas Geology 1998, 19(1): 15-23. (in Chinese)
Huang, H., Chen, L., Dang, W., et al. Discussion on the rising segment of the mercury extrusion curve in the high pressure mercury intrusion experiment on shales. Mar. Pet. Geol. 2019, 102: 615-624.
Huang, S., Wu, Y., Meng, X., et al. Recent advances on microscopic pore characteristics of low permeability sandstone reservoirs. Adv. Geo-Energy Res. 2018, 2(2): 122-134.
Hussien, O.S., Elraies, K.A., Almansour, A., et al. Experi-mental study on the use of surfactant as a fracking fluid additive for improving shale gas productivity. J. Pet. Sci. Eng. 2019, 183: 106426.
Ji, W., Song, Y., Jiang, Z., et al. Fractal characteristics of nano-pores in the lower silurian Longmaxi shales from the upper Yangtze platform, south China. Mar. Pet. Geol. 2016, 78: 88-98.
Jia, L., Li, K., Zhou, J., et al. Experimental study on enhancing coal-bed methane production by wettability alteration to gas wetness. Fuel 2019, 255: 115860.
Jing, X., Wunnik, J. A capillary pressure function for interpretation of core-scale displacement experiments. Paper SCA 9807 Presented at Centre for Petroleum Studies, Imperial College, UK, 14-22 September, 1998.
Kim, K., Lee, Y., Hwang, S., et al. Improved capillary pressure model considering dual-pore geometry system in carbonate reservoirs. J. Pet. Sci. Eng. 2011, 78(3): 601-608.
Knackstedt, M.A., Sok. R., Adrian. S., et al. 3D pore scale characterisation of carbonate core: Relating pore types and interconnectivity to petrophysical and multiphase flow properties. Paper IPTC 11775 Presented at Interna-tional Petroleum Technology Conference, Dubai, U.A.E, 4-6 December, 2007.
Kolodzie Jr, S. Analysis of pore throat size and use of the Waxman-Smits equation to determine OOIP in spindle field colorado. Paper SPE 9382 Presented at SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Dallas, Texas, 21-24 September, 1980.
Krohn, C.E. Fractal measurements of sandstones, shales, and carbonates. J. Geophys. Res. 1988, 93: 3297-3305.
Lai, J., Wang, G. Fractal analysis of tight gas sandstones using high-pressure mercury intrusion techniques. J. Nat. Gas Sci. Eng. 2015, 24: 185-196.
Lai, J., Wang, G., Wang, Z., et al. A review on pore structure characterization in tight sandstones. Earth-Sci. Rev. 2018, 177: 436-457.
Li, K. More general capillary pressure and relative perme-ability models from fractal geometry. J. Contam. Hydrol. 2010a, 111 (1): 13-24.
Li, K. Analytical derivation of Brooks-Corey type capillary pressure models using fractal geometry and evaluation of rock heterogeneity. J. Pet. Sci. Eng. 2010b, 73(1-2): 20-26.
Li, K., Horne, R.N. An experimental and analytical study of steam/water capillary pressure. SPE Reserv. Eval. Eng. 2001, 4(6): 477-482.
Li, K., Horne, R.N. Fractal modeling of capillary pressure curves for the Geysers rocks. Geothermics 2006, 35(2): 198-207.
Li, P., Zheng, M., Bi, H., et al. Pore throat structure and fractal characteristics of tight oil sandstone: A case study in the Ordos Basin, China. J. Pet. Sci. Eng. 2017a, 149: 665-674.
Li, Y., Cui, X., Li, H., et al. An in-situ capillary pressure measurement method to characterize pore structure of tight formation. J. Pet. Sci. Eng. 2020a, 192: 107270.
Li, Y., Li, H., Chen, S., et al. Capillarity characters mea-surement and effects analysis in different permeability formations during waterflooding. Fuel 2017b, 194: 129-143.
Li, Y., Li, H., Chen, S., et al. Investigation of the dynamic capillary pressure during displacement process in fractured tight rocks. AICHE J. 2019, 66(12): e16783.
Li, Y., Luo, H., Li, H., et al. A brief review of dynamic cap-illarity effect and its characteristics in low permeability and tight reservoirs. J. Pet. Sci. Eng. 2020b, 189: 106959.
Liu, K., Ostadhassan, M. The impact of pore size distribution data presentation format on pore structure interpretation of shales. Adv. Geo-Energy Res. 2019, 3(2): 187-197.
Liu, P., Yuan, Z., Li, K. An improved capillary pressure model using fractal geometry for coal rock. J. Pet. Sci. Eng. 2016, 145: 473-481.
Mandelbrot, B. B. The Fractal Geometry of Nature. New York, USA, W. H. Freeman, 1982.
Mirzaei, M., Das, D.B. Dynamic effects in capillary pressure-saturations relationships for two-phase flow in 3D porous media: Implications of micro-heterogeneities. Chem. Eng. Sci. 2007, 62(7): 1927-1947.
Moghadam, A., Vaisblat, N., Harris, N.B., et al. On the magnitude of capillary pressure (suction potential) in tight rocks. J. Pet. Sci. Eng. 2020, 190: 107133.
Nooruddin, H.A., Hossain, M.E., Al-Yousef, H., et al. Comparison of permeability models using mercury injection capillary pressure data on carbonate rock samples. J. Pet. Sci. Eng. 2014, 121: 9-22.
Olson, R.K., Grigg, M.W. Mercury injection capillary pressure (MICP) a useful tool for improved understanding of porosity and matrix permeability distributions in shale reservoirs. Paper Presented at AAPG Annual Convention, San Antonio, TX, USA, 20-23 April, 2008.
Oostrom, M., Lenhard, R.J. Comparison of relative permeability-saturation-pressure parametric models for infiltration and redistribution of a light nonaqueous-phase liquid in Sandy porous media. Adv. Water Resour. 1998, 21(2): 145-157.
Pape, H., Clauser, C., Iffland, J. Permeability prediction based on fractal pore-space geometry. Geophysics 1999, 64(5): 1447-1460.
Peng, S., Zhang, T., Loucks, R.G., et al. Application of mercury injection capillary pressure to mudrocks: Conformance and compression corrections. Mar. Pet. Geol. 2017, 88: 30-40.
Pittman, E.D. Relationship of porosity and permeability to various parameters derived from mercury injection-capillary pressure curves for sandstone. AAPG Bull. 1992, 76(2): 191-198.
Purcell, W.R. Capillary pressures-their measurement using mercury and the calculation of permeability therefrom. J. Pet. Technol. 1949, 1(2): 39-48.
Schmitt, M., Fernandes, C.P., Wolf, F.G., et al. Characteriza-tion of Brazilian tight gas sandstones relating permeabil-ity and angstrom-to micron-scale pore structures. J. Nat. Gas Sci. Eng. 2015, 27: 785-807.
Semnani, A.K., Shahverdi, H., Khaz’ali, A.R. Averaging the experimental capillary pressure curves for scaling up to the reservoir condition in the imbibition process. J. Pet. Sci. Eng. 2019, 184: 106539.
Shen, P., Li, K. A new method for determining the fractal dimension of pore structures and its application. Paper Presented at Proceedings of the 10th Offshore South East Asia Conference, Singapore, 6-9 December, 1994.
Sigal, R.F. Mercury capillary pressure measurements on Barnett core. SPE Reserv. Eval. Eng. 2013, 16(4): 432-442.
Su, P., Xia, Z., Qu, L., et al. Fractal characteristics of low-permeability gas sandstones based on a new model for mercury intrusion porosimetry. J. Nat. Gas Sci. Eng. 2018, 60: 246-255.
Sun, M., Zhang, L., Hu, Q., et al. Multiscale connectivity characterization of marine shales in southern China by fluid intrusion, small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), and FIB-SEM. Mar. Pet. Geol. 2020, 112: 104101.
Swanson, B.F. A simple correlation between permeabilities and mercury capillary pressures. J. Pet. Technol. 1981, 33(12): 2498-2504.
Thomeer, J.H.M. Introduction of a pore geometrical factor defined by the capillary pressure curve. J. Pet. Technol. 1960, 12(3): 73-77.
Tiab, D., Donaldson, E.C. Petrophysics: Theory and Practice of Measuring Reservoir Rock and Fluid Transport Properties. Amsterdam, Netherlands, Gulf Professional Pub, 2004.
Tian, S., Lei, G., He, S., et al. Dynamic effect of capillary pressure in low permeability reservoirs. Pet. Explor. Dev. 2012, 39(3): 405-411.
Torabi, A., Fossen, H., Braathen, A. Insight into petrophysical properties of deformed sandstone reservoirs. AAPG Bull. 2013, 97(4): 619-637.
Tsakiroglou, C.D., Payatakes, A.C. Characterization of the pore structure of reservoir rocks with the aid of serial sectioning analysis, mercury porosimetry and network simulation. Adv. Water Resour. 2000, 23(7): 773-789.
Van Genuchten, M.T. A closed-form equation for predicting the hydraulic conductivity of unsaturated soils. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 1980, 44(5): 892-898.
Vavra, C.L. Geological applications of capillary pressure: A review. AAPG Bull. 1992, 76(6): 840-850.
Wang, F., Jiao, L., Lian, P., et al. Apparent gas permeability, intrinsic permeability and liquid permeability of fractal porous media: Carbonate rock study with experiments and mathematical modelling. J. Pet. Sci. Eng. 2019a, 173: 1304-1315.
Wang, F., Jiao, L., Liu, Z., et al. Fractal analysis of pore structures in low permeability sandstones using mercury intrusion porosimetry. J. Porous Media 2018a, 21(11): 1097-1119.
Wang, F., Jiao, L., Zhao, J., et al. A more generalized model for relative permeability prediction in unsaturated fractal porous media. J. Nat. Gas Sci. Eng. 2019b, 67: 82-92.
Wang, F., Lian, P., Jiao, L., et al. Fractal analysis of microscale and nanoscale pore structures in carbonates using high-pressure mercury intrusion. Geofluids 2018b, 2018: 4023150.
Wang, H., Liu, Y., Song, Y., et al. Fractal analysis and its impact factors on pore structure of artificial cores based on the images obtained using magnetic resonance imaging. J. Appl. Geophys. 2012, 86: 70-81.
Xie, S., Cheng, Q., Ling, Q., et al. Fractal and multifractal analysis of carbonate pore-scale digital images of petroleum reservoirs. Mar. Pet. Geol. 2010, 27(2): 476-485.
Yang, M., Meng, Y., Li, G., et al. Effect of grain size and grain content on the hardness and drillability of rocks. Sains Malays. 2014, 43(1): 81-87.
Yang, R., He, S., Yi, J., et al. Nano-scale pore structure and fractal dimension of organic-rich Wufeng-Longmaxi shale from Jiaoshiba area, Sichuan Basin: Investigations using FE-SEM, gas adsorption and helium pycnometry. Mar. Pet. Geol. 2016, 70: 27-45.
Yu, B., Cheng, P. A fractal permeability model for bi-dispersed porous media. Int. J. Heat Mass Transf. 2002, 45(14): 2983-2993.
Yu, Y., Luo, X., Wang, Z., et al. A new correction method for mercury injection capillary pressure (MICP) to characterize the pore structure of shale. J. Nat. Gas Sci. Eng. 2019, 68: 102896.
Zhang, B., Li, S. Determination of the surface fractal dimension for porous media by mercury porosimetry. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 1995, 34(4): 1383-1386.
Zhang, B., Liu, W., Liu, X. Scale-dependent nature of the surface fractal dimension for bi-and multi-disperse porous solids by mercury porosimetry. Appl. Surf. Sci. 2006, 253(3): 1349-1355.
Zhang, L., Lu, S., Xiao, D., et al. Pore structure characteristics of tight sandstones in the northern Songliao Basin, China. Mar. Pet. Geol. 2017, 88: 170-180.
Zhang, X., Wu, C., Li, T. Comparison analysis of fractal characteristics for tight sandstones using different calculation methods. J. Geophys. Eng. 2016, 14(1): 120-131.
Zhao, J., Hu, Q., Liu, K., et al. Pore connectivity char-acterization of shale using integrated wood’s metal impregnation, microscopy, tomography, tracer mapping and porosimetry. Fuel 2020, 259: 116248.
Zhao, G., Zhu, J., Guan, L. Method of applying capillary pressure data to calculate initial oil saturation. Journal of China University of Petroleum, China: Edition of Natural Science 2008, 32(4): 38-41. (in Chinese)
Zhu, Q., Xie, M., Yang, J., et al. A fractal model for the coupled heat and mass transfer in porous fibrous media. Int. J. Heat Mass Transf. 2011, 54(7-8): 1400-1409.
Zhu, Y., Chen, S., Fang, J., et al. The geologic background of the Siluric shale-gas reservoiring in Szechwan, China. J. China Coal Soc. 2010, 35: 1160-1164.
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
Copyright (c) 2020 The Author(s)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.