NAME EMAIL ADDRESS

PRAKASH A/L NEELA MEHAN prakashneelam95@gmail.com

MUHAMMAD NAZMI BIN SHARIN nazmisharin14@spe.petroleum.utm.my

RESERVOIR ENGINEERING LAB

SN 02 / GROUP F
EXPERIMENT 1
27TH MARCH 2016

Executive Summary:

This experiment was conducted to determine the porosity of reservoir rock samples.
Helium porosimeter was used in order to determine the porosity of the samples. 6 samples
were tested and their porosity was determined by using the porosimeter. All of the samples
have different density and porosity as they are taken from different reservoir. Based on the
result that we have obtained, the porosity value for sample 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are 16.53%,
6.42%, 5.30%, 4.49%, 8.43% and 1.53% respectively. While the density of the grain sample
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are 2.727gm/cc, 2.529gm/cc, 2.356gm/cc, 2.473gm/cc, 2.415gm/cc and
2.638gm/cc respectively. Meanwhile, the bulk volume of the core was obtained by
measuring the diameter and length of the core itself. This is how we manage to obtained
the porosity of each core samples which is by relating the bulk, grain and pore volume of
respective core samples. Based on the result obtained, sample 1 has the highest percentage
of porosity compare to sample 6 which have the lowest porosity. Therefore, by observation
and also using theoretical equation, we are able to obtained result needed in determining
the porosity and density of the core samples.
 Introduction:

Porosity is the measurement of storage capacity of a reservoir. It can also be

defined as the ratio of pore volume to bulk volume. Porosity of a rock sample can be
expressed either in percentage or fraction. There are 2 types of porosity which is absolute
porosity and effective porosity. Both are different in which Effective porosity is the ratio of
interconnected void spaces to the bulk volume while Absolute porosity is the ratio of all the
pore spaces in the rock to the bulk volume of the rock itself. Determining the porosity of a
rock is essential because by knowing the porosity, we may estimate the maximum storage
capacity of crude oil in a reservoir. Therefore, in this experiment, we use helium
porosimeter and Vanier caliper as the apparatus. Helium porosimeter measures core grain
volume, density, pore volume, porosity, and void volume of all the core samples. The helium
porosimeter uses the application of Boyle’s Law of gas expansion principle where the
sample is evacuated prior to the injection of Helium gas. Helium gas is used as a transmitted
fluid in this experiment where some quantity of helium gas with known volume will be let to
expand isothermally to fill the cell of the unknown volume. The measurement of
equilibrated pressure determines the porosity itself. Bulk volume was measured manually
by using Vanier caliper and formula for cylinder.

The major result for this experiment is that we obtain different value of porosity
from the samples given maybe due to different in size and source. The densities of the
samples are slightly different due to the different types of rock. The conclusion that can be
made from this experiment is that the porosity of every sample is different because the
samples are taken from different reservoir.
 Experimental:

This experiment was carried out using Helium porosimeter. First of all, the core samples
were weight before their length and diameter were measured using a Vanier caliper. Then,
the helium gas sources are connected to the panel with all the valves closed except for the
core holder valve and exhaust valve. The pointer is then adjusted to 0 psi. Next, the core
holder valve was closed while the supply valve and source valve were opened. The pointer
of cylinder measuring gauge was adjusted to 100 psi with the regulator. The porosimeter
was tap slowly so the dial reading is at 100 psi. The steps were repeated several times until a
stable reading is achieved. Next, core sample was inserted into a matrix cup, followed by
disk until both of them are at the same level or slightly lower than the height of the cup
before the lid was tighten up to maximum.

The volumes were determined by the following steps:

1. Cell 1 Valve, Cell 2 Valve and the Core Holder Valve were closed.
2. Supply Valve and Source Valve were opened.
3. The regulator was adjusted until the dial reading shows exactly at 100 psi.
4. Source Valve was closed, followed by the Supply Valve and the Exhaust Valve.
5. The Core Holder Valve was opened, and the movement of the dial in opposite direction
from the clockwise was observed.
6. The porosimeter was tap when the dial stops. The reading of the outside scale is then
recorded. This is a “volume with sample”. Next, the gauge reading was recorded.
7. The Core Holder Valve was closed so gas is released out.
8. Lastly, the Exhaust Valve was opened so the pressure in the matrix cup becomes 0 psi.

The lid was then loosen up and the matrix cup was removed from its holder. The core
sample was removed but the disk was left inside and the lid was retightened. For bigger
“unknown volume” such as between 50cc to 450cc, the cell 1 needed to be open and we
need to repeat from determining the volume. For much bigger “unknown volume” such as
between 150cc to 880cc, cell 1 and cell 2 needed to be open to repeat from determining the
volume. Lastly, loosen up the matrix cup lid and removed the sample before opening the
core sample holder valve and closing the gas cylinder valve to finish the experiment.
 Results:

Room Temperature: 27oC

Barometric Pressure: 78 mmHg

Name of Weight Length Diameter Volume with Volume without

Sample (gm) (cm) (cm) Sample (cc) Sample (cc)
1 58.0639 5.53±0.02 2.94±0.02 20±1 40±1
2 49.7485 4.52±0.02 2.53±0.02 23±1 40±1
3 142.4690 4.80±0.02 3.81±0.02 19±1 73±1
4 89.5183 3.53±0.02 3.83±0.02 23±1 59±1
5 117.8882 5.02±0.02 3.80±0.02 23±1 76±1
Table 1: Data recorded during experiment

Name of Bulk Volume, Vb Grain Volume, Vgr Pore Volume, Vp Porosity

Sample (cc) (cc) (cc) (%)
1 37.5413 20 17.5413 2.9031
2 22.7232 17 5.7273 2.9264
3 54.7244 54 0.7244 2.6383
4 40.6689 36 4.6689 2.4866
5 56.9326 53 3.9326 2.2243
Table 2: Bulk Volume, Grain Volume, Pore Volume and Porosity Data
Discussion:

The porosity value for sample 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are 46.73%, 25.20%, 1.32%, 11.48%
and 6.91% respectively. While the density of the grain sample 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are
2.9031gm/cc, 2.9264gm/cc, 2.6383gm/cc, 2.4866gm/cc and 2.2243gm/cc respectively.
The differences of the density and porosity of the samples are occurred because the
core samples are taken from reservoir in the difference places.

The porosity measurement at the surface is not accurate because the physical
condition of the core is not same as at the reservoir (in-situ). Where the structure of the
pore inside core will be destroy by the effect of temperature and pressure. Helium gas
was used in the experiment because it is an inert gas and it would not destroy the
porous. Besides that, helium gas is lighter compared to any other gases and it’s easy to
absorb into the porous. Besides, there is no reaction between gas and porous medium.

There are many errors that occur during the experiment such as the impurities in the
matrix cup. So, it will affect the reading. Besides, there may have a leakage at
porosimeter. Next, there is zero error as well occurred on the instrument we used. Zero
error for the Vanier Caliper is +/- 0.02 while the Helium Porosimeter that showing the
result of volume with sample and volume without sample having +/- 1.

To avoid all of these errors, some precautionary steps must be taken. The reading
should be taken repeatedly for 2 to 3 time and get the average. Furthermore, all the
equipments that used in the experiment must be out of impurities and in clean
conditions. Other than that, make sure the equipment that is use in this experiment in a
good condition and without a leakage.
 Discussion Questions:

1. Determine the values of porosity and density for the all rock samples. What type of
porosity that you are measured?

The values of porosity and density for all the 6 samples are calculated and showed at the
sample calculation part. The porosity value for sample 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are 46.73%, 25.20%,
1.32%, 11.48% and 6.91% respectively. While the density of the grain sample 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
are 2.9031gm/cc, 2.9264gm/cc, 2.6383gm/cc, 2.4866gm/cc and 2.2243gm/cc respectively.
The type of porosity measured is the effective porosity which is the ratio of interconnected
pore volume to the bulk volume.

2. Make comparison of the bulk volume of the rocks measured from mercury
displacement method and ordinary measurement method.

Bulk volume measurement is to observe the volume of fluid displaced by the sample
although the bulk volume might be computed from measurements of the dimensions of a
uniformly shaped sample. In mercury displacement method, mercury is used because it is
strongly non wetting and therefore it does not enter the pore space of the sample rocks.
While the ordinary measure method is just by using formula where we assumed that the
core sample is in a perfect cylindrical shape, 𝑉 = 𝜋𝑟 2 ℎ. The difference is that we can get a
more accurate result from mercury displacement method than ordinary measurement
method. This is due to some core sample might not produced a perfect shape thus there is a
slight inaccurate result obtained from ordinary measurement method.

3. Give three reasons why helium gas is used not other gases for this experiment.

Helium gas is used for this experiment is because by referring to the periodic table, it is an
inert and stable gas which it does not react with the core sample. Helium also can be
considered as an ideal gas where z = 1.0. Moreover, helium has small molecules that enable
it to go through the pore spaces in the reservoir rocks. A next, light helium atom gives high
diffusivity which helps the porous media to be more permeable.
4. Is it possible for the helium porosimeter to be used for other than cylindrical core
samples, such as square or irregular shape core samples?
a. If not, explain your reasons.

b. If yes, which shape gives the most accurate porosity result?

Yes, helium porosimeter can be used to measure other than cylindrical core samples.
However to get an accurate porosity result for sample, a true right cylinder and no surface
irregularities must be used. By this we can use the bulk volume formula which is 𝑉 = 𝜋𝑟 2 ℎ.

5. A core sample was taken from a well and porosity measurement was conducted. Is true
that the porosity measured in the laboratory is the same with the porosity of the sample
at the reservoir conditions?

The porosity measured in the laboratory is not the same with the porosity of the sample at
the reservoir conditions as it has two totally different conditions, pressure and also
temperature. In the reservoir, rocks experience a higher pressure and temperature
compared to the room temperature and pressure in the laboratory. This will affect the
porosity of rocks.

6. What are the advantages of the porosity measurement in the laboratory as compared
to from the logging tools?

The advantages of the porosity measurement compared to the ones taken from logging
tools are the porosity measurement gives a lot more information such as rock conditions,
porosity, compressibility and also permeability while from the logging tools, we get data
from plotted graphs which sometimes troublesome and inaccurate.
7. The porosity of the rock sample can also be determined by measurement of grain
volume method. This method requires the weight and the density of the grain. Explain the
calculation procedures, and give advantages and disadvantages of this method.

Another method to measure porosity is by using grain volume method. By using this
method, we are able to obtain the total volume and grain volume of the sample. First of all,
the sample is weighted. Then, immerse the dry sample in the mercury. Mercury is strongly
non wetting and therefore it does not enter the pore space of the sample rocks. This step is
to obtain the total volume. To calculate the grain volume, weight of the sample is divided by
the density of the grain. The advantage of this method is where the experiment is easy to
handle because using only simple equipments. While the disadvantage of this method is
inaccurate result obtained due to the sample contained impurities.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, objective of this experiment is achieved where the porosity and density of the
rock samples are recorded and calculated. The porosity value for sample 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are
46.73%, 25.20%, 1.32%, 11.48% and 6.91% respectively. While the density of the grain
sample 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are 2.9031gm/cc, 2.9264gm/cc, 2.6383gm/cc, 2.4866gm/cc and
2.2243gm/cc respectively. The porosity and density obtained for all the samples are
different. Different samples are from different reservoir thus the result we obtained are
different with each others.
 Appendices:

Figure 1: Helium porosimeter

Sample Calculation

Sample 1:

2
2.942 2
𝐵𝑢𝑙𝑘 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒, 𝑉𝑏 = 𝜋𝑟 ℎ = 𝜋 ( ) (5.526)
2

= 37.5413 𝒄𝒄

𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒, 𝑉𝑔𝑟 = 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑊𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑆𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒 − 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑊𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑆𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒 = 40 − 20

= 𝟐𝟎 𝒄𝒄

𝑃𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒, 𝑉𝑝 = 𝐵𝑢𝑙𝑘 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 − 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = 37.5413 − 20

= 𝟏𝟕. 𝟓𝟒𝟏𝟑 𝒄𝒄

𝑃𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 17.5413

𝑃𝑜𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦, ∅ = 𝑥100% 𝑥100%
𝐵𝑢𝑙𝑘 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 37.5413

= 𝟒𝟔. 𝟕𝟑%

𝑊𝑔𝑟 58.0639
𝜌𝑔𝑟 = =
𝑉𝑔𝑟 20

= 𝟐. 𝟗𝟎𝟑𝟏 𝒈𝒎/𝒄𝒄

Sample 2:

2
2.530 2
𝐵𝑢𝑙𝑘 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒, 𝑉𝑏 = 𝜋𝑟 ℎ = 𝜋 ( ) (4.526)
2

= 𝟐𝟐. 𝟕𝟐𝟑𝟐 𝒄𝒄

𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒, 𝑉𝑔𝑟 = 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑊𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑆𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒 − 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑊𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑆𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒 = 40 − 23

= 𝟏𝟕 𝒄𝒄

𝑃𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒, 𝑉𝑝 = 𝐵𝑢𝑙𝑘 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 − 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = 22.7232 − 17

= 𝟓. 𝟕𝟐𝟕𝟑 𝒄𝒄
 𝑃𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 5.7273
𝑃𝑜𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦, ∅ = 𝑥100% = 𝑥100%
𝐵𝑢𝑙𝑘 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 22.7273

= 𝟐𝟓. 𝟐𝟎%

𝑊𝑔𝑟 49.7485
𝜌𝑔𝑟 = =
𝑉𝑔𝑟 17

= 𝟐. 𝟗𝟐𝟔𝟒𝒈𝒎/𝒄𝒄

Sample 3:

2
3.808 2
𝐵𝑢𝑙𝑘 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒, 𝑉𝑏 = 𝜋𝑟 ℎ = 𝜋 ( ) (4.80)
2

= 54.7244 𝒄𝒄

𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒, 𝑉𝑔𝑟 = 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑊𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑆𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒 − 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑊𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑆𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒 = 73 − 19

= 𝟓𝟒 𝒄𝒄

𝑃𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒, 𝑉𝑝 = 𝐵𝑢𝑙𝑘 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 − 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = 54.7244 − 54

= 𝟎. 𝟕𝟐𝟒𝟒 𝒄𝒄

𝑃𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 0.7244

𝑃𝑜𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦, ∅ = 𝑥100% = 𝑥100%
𝐵𝑢𝑙𝑘 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 54.7244

= 𝟏. 𝟑𝟐%

𝑊𝑔𝑟 142.4690
𝜌𝑔𝑟 = =
𝑉𝑔𝑟 54

= 𝟐. 𝟔𝟑𝟖𝟑𝒈𝒎/𝒄𝒄

Sample 4:

2
3.828 2
𝐵𝑢𝑙𝑘 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒, 𝑉𝑏 = 𝜋𝑟 ℎ = 𝜋 ( ) (3.53)
2

= 𝟒𝟎. 𝟔𝟔𝟖𝟗 𝒄𝒄
𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒, 𝑉𝑔𝑟 = 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑊𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑆𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒 − 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑊𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑆𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒 = 59 − 23

= 𝟑𝟔 𝒄𝒄

𝑃𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒, 𝑉𝑝 = 𝐵𝑢𝑙𝑘 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 − 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = 40.6689 − 36

= 𝟒. 𝟔𝟔𝟖𝟗 𝒄𝒄

𝑃𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 4.6689

𝑃𝑜𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦, ∅ = 𝑥100% = 𝑥100%
𝐵𝑢𝑙𝑘 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 40.6689

= 𝟏𝟏. 𝟒𝟖%

𝑊𝑔𝑟 89.5183
𝜌𝑔𝑟 = =
𝑉𝑔𝑟 36

= 𝟐. 𝟒𝟖𝟔𝟔𝒈𝒎/𝒄𝒄

Sample 5:

3.802 2
𝐵𝑢𝑙𝑘 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒, 𝑉𝑏 = 𝜋𝑟 2 ℎ = 𝜋 ( ) (5.02)
2

= 𝟓𝟔. 𝟗𝟑𝟐𝟔𝒄𝒄

𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒, 𝑉𝑔𝑟 = 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑊𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑆𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒 − 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑊𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑆𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒 = 76 − 23

= 𝟓𝟑 𝒄𝒄

𝑃𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒, 𝑉𝑝 = 𝐵𝑢𝑙𝑘 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 − 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = 56.9326 − 53

= 𝟑. 𝟗𝟑𝟐𝟔 𝒄𝒄

𝑃𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 3.9326

𝑃𝑜𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦, ∅ = 𝑥100% = 𝑥100%
𝐵𝑢𝑙𝑘 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 56.9326

= 𝟔. 𝟗𝟏%

𝑊𝑔𝑟 11708882
𝜌𝑔𝑟 = =
𝑉𝑔𝑟 53

= 𝟐. 𝟐𝟐𝟒𝟑𝒈𝒎/𝒄𝒄
References:

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