Thc Ainrrlcan Associalion ot Pelriilcum Geoiogists Bulleiin V 76, Ni) 6 (June 1912). P 840-850, 7 Figs..

6 Tables

Geological Applications of Capillary Pressure: A Reviewl

Charles L. Vavra,z John G. Kaldi,3 and Robert M. Sneidefi

Capillary pressure concepts can be used to evaluate reservoir rock quality, expected reservoir fluid saturations and depths of fluid contacts, thickness of transition zone, sea1 capacity, and pay versus nonpay, and to approximate recovery efficiency. Mercury-injection capillary pressure is typically favored for geological applications, such as inferring the size and sorting of pore throats. The differences between mercury injection and withdrawal curves can provide information on recovery efficiency. The height above free water level can b e determined by comparing capillary pressure data to hydrocarbon shows and measured fluid saturations. Capillary pressure data can also be used to distinguish reservoir from nonreservoir rocks and pay from nonpay on the basis of nonwetting-phase saturations. Other applications of capillary pressure data include relating capillary pressure to absolute and relative permeabilities, and using porosirnetry to investigate porelevel heterogeneity. This paper reviews geological applications and interpretation of capillary pressure in reservoir stiidies.
INTRODUCTION

Capillary pressure concepts can be used by geologists. petrophysicists and petroleum engineers to evaluate reservoir rock quality, pay versus nonpay, expected reservoir fluid saturations, sea1 capacity (Le., height of hydrocarbon column a sea1 can hold before it leaks;

throughout this paper, "seal" refers to membrane seals to hydrocarbon in water-wet rocks), depths of the reservoir fluid contact, and thickness of the transition zone, and to approximate recovery efficiency during primary or secondary recovery. Evaluating capillary pressure of potential hydrocarbon reservoir and seal rocks is important because capillarity controls the static distribution of fluids in the reservoir prior to production and the remaining hydrocarbons after primary production. Capillary pressure results from interactions of forces acting within and between liquids and their bounding solids. These include both cohesive (liquid-liquid) forces and adhesive (liquid-solid) forces. Where adhesive forces are greater than cohesive forces, the liquid is said to be "wetting" (Figure 1); if cohesive forces exceed adhesive forces, the liquid is "nonwetting." The relative wettability of the fluids is described by the contact angle (O), which is the angle between the solid and the fluid-fluid interface as measured through the denser fluid (Figure 1). If the end of a narrow capillary tube is placed in a wetting fluid, net adhesive forces draw the fluid into the tube (Figure 2). The wetting phase rises in the capillary above the original interface or free water level until adhesive and gravitational forces are balanced. Because the wetting and nonwetting fluids have different densities, they have different pressure gradients (Figure 2). Capillary pressure (P,) is defined as the difference in pressure across the meniscus in the capillary tube. Put another way, capillary pressure is the amount of extra pressure required to force the nonwetting phase to displace the wetting phase in the capillary. Capillary pressure can be calculated by

OCopyright 1992. The Arnerican Association of Petroleum Geologists. All rights r e s e ~ e d . 'Manuscript received August 19, 1991; revised manuscript received January 31,1992; final acceptance February 10, 1992. 2ARC0 Exploration and Production Technology, 2300 West Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas 75075. 3ARCO Exploration and Production Technology, 2300 West Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas 75075. Present address: Atlantic Richfield Indonesia, Inc., P.O. Box 260888, Plano, Texas 75026. %obe~-t M. Sneider Exploration, Inc., 11767 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas 77079. We thank M. Scheihing, G. Jerauld, F. Smith, J. Rathrnell, W. Ebanks, Jr.. and C. Atkinson for their comrnents and discussions. The rnanuscript was reviewed and improved by cornments of D. Powley, D. Spain, and N. Wardlaw. We thank ARCO Exploration and Production Technology for perrniscion to publish.

20 cos e Pc. = rc

where p , and p ,, are the specific gravities of the wetting and nonwetting fluids, respectively; g is the gravitational constant; h is the height above the free water level; O is interfacial tension; O is the contact angle