1.

ABSTRACT/SUMMARY
Permeability is a capability of a porous rock or sediment to permit the flow of fluids
through its pore spaces. The rock permeability is important because it control the directional
movement and the flow rate of the reservoir fluids in the formation. Permeability is based on
Darcys Law. The objectives of this experiment is to determine of porous media using liquid
parameter and to compare the average permeability of a tested core sample for differential
pressure.
2. INTRODUCTION
Permeability is a property of the porous medium that measures the capacity and
ability of the formation to transmit fluids. The rock permeability, k is a very important
rock property because it controls the directional movement and the flow rate of the
reservoir fluids in the formation. Darcy equation that defines permeability in terms of
measurable quantities is called Darcys Law. Darcy developed a fluid flow equation that
has since become one of the standard mathematical tools of the petroleum engineer. If a
horizontal linear flow of an incompressible fluid is established through a core sample of
length L and a cross-section of area, A then the governing fluid flow equation defined as :
v=

k dp
m dL

Where v = apparent fluid flowing velocity, cm/sec

k = proportionality constant, or permeability, Darcys
= viscosity of the flowing fluid, cp
dp/dL = pressure drop per unit length, atm/cm

The permeability should be measured in presence of fluid therefore gas and liquid
could be used. If gas is used as the working liquid, at low flow rates correction is needed,
whereas in case of liquid no correction is needed. Liquid, in our case water, is pump
through the sample at various flow rates and pressure drop is recorded. The permeability
can be calculated using darcy formula and straight-line developed

3. AIMS/OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this experiment is to determine the permeability of porous media using
liquid parameter and to compare the average permeability of the tested core sample for
differential pressures.

4. THEORY
Permeability is a property of the porous medium that measures the capacity and ability of
the formation to transmit fluids. The rock permeability, k, is a very important rock property
because it controls the directional movement and the flow rate of the reservoir fluids in the
formation. Darcy equation that defines permeability in terms of measurable quantities is
called Darcys Law. Darcy developed a fluid flow equation that has since become one of the
standard mathematical tools of the petroleum engineer.
The fluid flow through a cylindrical tube is can be expressed by the Poiseuilles
equation, where it is the simplification to the Navier-Strokes equation for the particular
geometry, laminar flow and uncompressible fluids.
Q=

r 4 ( PiPo )
8 L

where
cm3 m3
Q: the flow rate ( s s
R: is the radius of the tube (m or cm)
Po

2
: the outlet fluid pressure (dynes/ cm or Pa)

Pi : the inlet fluid pressure (dynes/ cm 2 or Pa)

: the viscosity of fluid (centipoise or Pa.s)
2

L: the length of the tube (cm or m)

The permeability should be measure in presence of fluid therefore gas and liquid
could be used. If a gas is used as the working liquid, at low flow rates correction is neede,
whereas in case of liquid no correction is needed. Liquid, in our case water, is pumped
through the sample at various flow rates and pressure drop is recorded.The permeability can
be calculated using darcy formula and straight-line developed.
In 1856, a French engineer Henry Darcy discover the Darcys Law to show the flow
of groundwater through a granular media or others fluids through permeable substance.
Darcys Law can be expressed as :
Q=

kA (PiPo )
L

Where,
cm3 m3
Q: the flow rate ( s s
R: is the radius of the tube (m or cm)
Po

2
: the outlet fluid pressure (dynes/ cm or Pa)

Pi : the inlet fluid pressure (dynes/ cm 2 or Pa)

: the viscosity of fluid (centipoise or Pa.s)

L: the length of the tube (cm or m)

2
k: the permeability of the sample ( Darcy or m

2
2
A: the area of the sample ( cm m

5. APPARATUS
a. Liquid Permeameter (LP-101A)
b. Core sample
c. Distilled water

6. PROCEDURE
a. A flat core sample is prepared.
b. The liquid fill hose attached to the sample chamber lid is disconnected. The lid
is unscrewed and removed. The spacing insert and adapter plated are taken
out.
c. The O-ring is checked for dryness.
d. The sample is then places into the sample chamber.
e. The chamber insert is placed into the chamber. The insert should sit lower than
height of the sample chamber.
f. The auto test is set to the designated pressure and the sequence is started.
g. The height of the liquid, time, pressure and flow rates are displayed as the data
collected during the test.
h. All the data are recorded. Above steps are repeated by changing the pressure.

7. RESULTS
Sample
Sample thickness
Sample Diameter
Fluid Used
Fluid Viscosity

:
:
:
:
:

Pressure at 50 psi
0.500 cm
3.000 cm
Water
1.000 CP

Table 7.1: Permeability for sample at pressure of 50 psi

DIFFERENTIAL

FLOWRATE, Q

PERMEABILITY DARCY,

PRESSURE PSI
0.56784
0.73941
0.82157
1.0986
1.6877
2.1991
2.6380
3.1566
3.6315
4.2255
4.7413
5.0905
5.6686
6.1267
6.5874
7.0710
7.5578
8.1490
8.6140
9.0228
9.5233
10.021
10.548
11.046
11.532
12.062
12.562
13.016
13.438
13.498
14.001
14.539
15.658
16.016
16.458

cm3/s
0.95766
0.78146
0.84295
1.4419
2.6267
2.5692
2.9691
2.6408
2.7080
2.9758
3.0380
3.1718
3.4838
3.5122
3.6374
3.6160
3.7784
3.9807
3.9883
4.1089
4.1879
4.3949
4.5353
4.6693
4.9766
5.1891
5.3304
5.5591
7.8517
5.6238
5.7287
5.7716
6.4806
5.8083
6.0467

k
1.7536
1.0989
1.0669
1.3648
1.6184
1.2148
1.1703
0.86988
0.77537
0.73229
0.66626
0.64790
0.63905
0.59608
0.57415
0.53174
0.51983
0.50794
0.48143
0.47352
0.45727
0.45604
0.44709
0.43953
0.44873
0.44733
0.44121
0.44410
0.60753
0.43323
0.42545
0.41278
0.43038
0.37710
0.38203
5

16.989
17.484
18.021
18.494
18.971
19.483
19.996
20.511
21.002
21.491
21.963
22.473
22.956
23.417
23.898
24.345
24.817
25.319
25.852
26.370
26.494
26.857
27.353
27.827
28.374
28.949
29.424
30.626
30.949
31.457
31.892
32.318
32.826
33.303
33.767

6.1054
5.8730
5.9190
6.0598
5.8506
6.1414
6.1280
6.1751
6.3089
6.4627
6.3486
6.4134
6.5411
6.5929
6.7131
6.6957
6.7895
6.9056
6.9040
6.9852
9.9142
7.1095
7.0574
7.2530
7.2191
7.4197
7.4541
7.9838
7.7608
7.3284
7.5974
7.9829
7.8774
7.8371
8.0023

0.37367
0.34927
0.34152
0.34070
0.32066
0.32778
0.31867
0.31305
0.31236
0.31269
0.30056
0.29674
0.29628
0.29275
0.29209
0.28598
0.28448
0.28361
0.27769
0.27543
0.38910
0.27526
0.26829
0.27102
0.26455
0.26651
0.26342
0.27106
0.26075
0.24224
0.24771
0.25685
0.24953
0.24470
0.24642

Table 7.2: Average Permeability for sample at pressure of 50 psi

DIFFERENTIAL

FLOWRATE, Q

PERMEABILITY DARCY,

PRESSURE PSI
16.7083

cm3/s
5.467045

k
0.48809

Average Darcy Permeability Constant = 0.45981 D

Sample
Sample thickness
Sample Diameter
Fluid Used
Fluid Viscosity

:
:
:
:
:

Pressure at 60 psi
0.500 cm
3.000 cm
Water
1.000 CP

Table 7.3: Permeability for sample at pressure of 60 psi

DIFFERENTIAL

FLOWRATE, Q

PERMEABILITY

PRESSURE PSI
0.61333
0.75631
0.79794
1.1716
1.7851
2.2369
2.6428
3.2259
3.7044
4.2842
4.7609
5.151
5.7131
6.1904
6.6506
7.1295
7.674
8.2516
8.6906
9.1153
9.6314
10.12
10.614
11.088
11.603
12.12
12.613
13.095
13.474
13.6
14.088
14.62
15.728
16.086
16.562
17.032
17.532
18.059

cm3/s
1.5608
1.4749
1.5676
1.8162
2.1649
2.3017
2.4555
2.5594
2.8262
2.9978
2.9801
3.1778
3.3805
3.5549
3.6576
3.6616
3.9191
4.0883
4.0415
4.2798
4.2718
4.4965
4.6121
4.6227
4.7508
4.985
4.8729
5.2011
6.2787
5.1346
5.2222
5.3167
5.5478
5.5512
5.6755
5.9653
5.7071
5.7976

DARCY, k
2.6462
2.0277
2.0428
1.6119
1.2611
1.07
0.96614
0.825
0.7933
0.7276
0.65087
0.6415
0.61526
0.59712
0.57185
0.53403
0.53103
0.51518
0.48356
0.48821
0.46118
0.462
0.45182
0.4335
0.42574
0.42766
0.40174
0.413
0.48455
0.39257
0.38545
0.37813
0.36679
0.35883
0.35632
0.36419
0.33848
0.33382
7

18.562
19.067
19.561
20.029
20.61
21.082
21.548
22.05
22.58
23.044
23.501
23.963
24.436
24.901
25.419
25.9
26.452
26.932
27.417
27.436
27.976
28.487
28.999
29.539
30.028
30.525
31.669
31.973
32.418
32.869
33.341
33.815

6.1921
5.8961
6.1364
6.2688
6.4884
6.2849
6.5833
6.7215
6.5715
6.8726
6.7026
6.7083
6.8191
6.8687
6.8923
7.0679
7.1103
7.0911
7.2287
9.8098
7.2704
7.2484
7.4244
7.4064
7.5906
7.6303
7.957
7.8309
7.5754
8.1111
8.1583
8.2273

0.34687
0.32154
0.32619
0.32546
0.32736
0.30999
0.31767
0.31697
0.30261
0.31011
0.29656
0.2911
0.29016
0.28682
0.28194
0.28376
0.2795
0.27378
0.27416
0.37179
0.27022
0.26458
0.26622
0.26071
0.26285
0.25992
0.26126
0.25467
0.24298
0.2566
0.25444
0.25299

8. Table 7.4: Average Permeability for sample at pressure of 60 psi

DIFFERENTIAL

FLOWRATE, Q

PERMEABILITY

PRESSURE PSI
16.776284

cm3/s
5.44601

DARCY, k
0.515398571

Average Darcy Permeability Constant = 0.45774 D

Sample
Sample thickness
Sample Diameter
Fluid Used
Fluid Viscosity

:
:
:
:
:

Pressure at 70 psi
0.800 cm
3.000 cm
Water
1.000 CP
8

Table 7.5: Permeability for sample at pressure of 70 psi

DIFFERENTIAL

FLOWRATE, Q

PERMEABILITY

PRESSURE PSI
0.6519
0.79094
0.86544
1.2392
1.8636
2.3342
2.7308
3.2789
3.7506
4.3217
4.8298
5.2368
5.7559
6.2545
6.807
7.2352
7.7854
8.3603
8.7737
9.2273
9.7116
10.205
10.711
11.184
11.71
12.208
12.704
13.172
13.662
14.083
14.168
14.695
15.187
16.329
16.673
17.164
17.623
18.147
18.621
19.123
19.648
20.136
20.678

cm3/s
1.5945
1.5069
1.6088
1.8678
2.1756
2.2848
2.5027
2.7217
2.8167
2.9841
3.1076
3.2025
3.3537
3.4621
3.5891
3.8366
3.9302
3.9837
4.0205
4.0068
4.2596
4.5868
4.5323
4.6785
4.9017
4.9347
4.9327
4.994
5.1661
6.5408
5.2063
5.3425
5.4258
5.6275
5.5714
5.6008
5.8243
5.9263
5.9661
6.2719
5.9402
6.3829
6.4488

DARCY, k
2.5434
1.981
1.933
1.5673
1.2139
1.0178
0.95295
0.86309
0.7809
0.71799
0.66904
0.63589
0.60586
0.57558
0.54826
0.55138
0.52492
0.49548
0.47649
0.45152
0.45608
0.46737
0.44
0.43497
0.43525
0.42031
0.40374
0.39423
0.39321
0.48293
0.38209
0.37802
0.3715
0.35836
0.34745
0.33929
0.34365
0.33958
0.33315
0.34103
0.31436
0.32961
0.32429
9

21.17
21.656
22.174
22.656
23.142
23.605
24.064
24.532
24.957
25.483
26.039
26.537
27.048
27.525
27.853
28.057
28.618
29.117
29.64
30.159
30.631
31.117
32.222
32.55
32.995
33.501
33.969

6.3489
6.5617
6.638
6.8169
6.6049
6.6058
6.8174
6.9753
6.8823
7.1509
7.0102
7.1407
7.2041
7.2607
9.8309
7.3612
7.453
7.3875
7.4826
7.6705
7.7862
7.6498
8.1164
8.0569
8.0159
8.4694
8.2293

0.31184
0.31505
0.31127
0.31286
0.29677
0.29099
0.29458
0.29565
0.28675
0.29179
0.27994
0.2798
0.27695
0.27429
0.36701
0.27281
0.2708
0.26382
0.26251
0.26446
0.26431
0.25563
0.26192
0.25738
0.25261
0.26287
0.25191

Table 7.6: Average Permeability for sample at pressure of 70 psi

DIFFERENTIAL

FLOWRATE, Q

PERMEABILITY

PRESSURE PSI
16.86647

cm3/s
5.473511

DARCY, k
0.50804

Average Darcy Permeability Constant = 0.45413 D

9. SAMPLE CALCULATION
Components in graph, x and y
Sample at 50 psi:
q = 0.95766cm3/s
X-axis: differential pressure / length (P/L)
Differential pressure, P = 0.56784 psi
Length, L = 0.5 cm

10

 P 0.56784 psi
1atm
=

=0.07727817 atm/c m
L
0.5 cm
14.696 psi

Y-axis: flow rate / area, (q/ A)

2
D 2 (3 cm)
A=
=
=7.0686 cm2
4
4
q = 0.95766 cm3/s
q 0.95766 cm3 / s
=
=0.13548 cm / s
A
7.0686 cm2

Darcy Permeability of 50 PSI

1.6
1.4
1.2

f(x) = 0.19x + 0.33

1
P/L , cm/s

0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0

0.5

1.5

2.5

3.5

4.5

Q/A , atm/cm

Figure 8.1: The graph plotted for sample with pressure of 50 psi
From the graph:
Y = mX + c
(q/A) = (k/) (P/L)
0.13548 cm/s = (k/1) (0.07727817 atm/cm)
k = 1.753
= 1753 mD
Sample at 60 psi:
q = 1.5608 cm3/s
11

X-axis: differential pressure / length (P/L)

Differential pressure, P = 0.61333 psi
Length, L = 0.5 cm

P 0.61333 psi
1 atm
=

=0.08347 atm/c m
L
0.5 cm
14.696 psi

Y-axis: flow rate / area, (q/ A)

2

A=

D 2 (3 cm)
=
=7.0686 cm2
4
4

q = 1.5608 cm3/s

q 1.5608 cm3 / s
=
=0.2208 cm/s
2
A
7.0686 cm

12

Darcy Permeability of 60 PSI

1.6
1.4
1.2

f(x) = 0.2x + 0.32

1
Q/A , cm/s

0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0

0.5

1.5

2.5

3.5

4.5

P/L , atm/cm

Figure 8.2: The graph plotted for sample with pressure of 60 psi

From the graph:

Y = mX + c
(q/A) = (k/) (P/L) + c
0.2208 cm/s = (k/1) (0.083469 atm/cm)
K = 2.645 D
= 2645 mD
Sample at 70 psi:
q = 1.5945 cm3/s
X-axis: differential pressure / length (P/L)
Differential pressure, P = 0.6519 psi
Length, L = 0.5 cm

P 0.6519 psi
1 atm
=

=0.08872atm /c m
L
0.5 cm
14.696 psi

13

Y-axis: flow rate / area, (q/ A)

2
D 2 (3 cm)
A=
=
=7.0686 cm2
4
4
q = 1.5945 cm3/s

q 1.5945 cm3 /s
=
=0.2256 cm/s
A
7.0686 cm2

Darcy Permeability of 70 PSI

1.6
1.4
1.2

f(x) = 0.2x + 0.32

1
Q/A , cm/s

0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0

0.5

1.5

2.5

3.5

4.5

P/L , atm/cm

Figure 8.3: The graph plotted for sample with pressure of 70 psi
From the graph:
Y = mX + c
(q/A) = (k/) (P/L)
0.2256 cm/s = (k/1) (0.08872 atm/cm)
K = 2.543 D
= 2543 mD
Calculations for Reynolds number:

14

dv

( 3.00 cm ) ( 1.1298 cm/s )(

Re =

0.01

g
.s
cm

1g
)
3
cm

= 338.94

10. DISCUSSION
In this experiment, our objective are to determine the permeability of porous
media by using liquid parameter and hence to compare the average permeability of
the tested cored sample for differential pressures. The permeability of the rock sample
was determined with the aid of computer software Capwin.
From the differential pressure data monitored by Capwin software, its tell us
that if there are increasing in differential pressure, it will cause the flow rate of the gas
to be increase, but the permeability will decreases. This data was exactly obeyed
Darcys equation from our previous study.
The data that obtained from our experiment were tabulated and graphs of
volumetric flux ,q/A against pressure gradient, P/L were plotted for each differential
pressure. In order to determine the permeability of each differential pressure, the
gradient of each graph were calculated as shown in our samples of calculation. From
the chart, we know that the average permeability for 50 psi, 60 psi and 70 psi are 1753
mD, 2645 mD, 2543 mD respectively. To conclude, the average permeability will
increase as the differential pressure increase, however, it was differ from the
differential pressure data obtained for each pressure which is the permeability
decrease as the pressure difference increase.
This probably due to some error occured in our experiment because of some
problem such as the accuracy of the data that we obtained and the effect are the
permeability chart for each pressure test show lots of fluctuation trend, which the flow
rate does not increase linearly as the differential pressure increase as we expected.

15

Some error occurred affect the trend on chart and thus affect the mean value for
permeability.

11. CONSLUSIONS
For the conclusion, the pressure do effect the permeability of the rock. The higher the
pressure different, the lower the permeability of porous media. The objective of the
experiment was achieved.
12. RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Make sure that there are nitrogen gas available in the tank or the water will not enter
the permeameter.
2. Repeat the experiment several times in order to get the accurate result.
3. Repeat the experiment with atleast three different pressure in a uniform gap such as
50, 60 and 70.
4. Keep the water level in the water container high.
5. Use a more flat and round-shape rock sample for constant rock thickness and
diameter.
13. REFERENCES
1. J.GHelltrom&T.S. Lundstrom, (2006). Flow through Porous Media at Moderate
Reynolds Number. Modeling for material processing. Riga Journal
2. Honarpour, M. M., Koederitz, F., & Herbert, A. (1986). Relative permeability of
petroleum reservoirs
3. [1] Beliaev, A. Y., &Kozlov, S. M. (1996). Darcy equation for random porous
media. Communications on pure and applied mathematics, 49(1), 1-34.
4. [2] Honarpour, M. M., Koederitz, F., & Herbert, A. (1986). Relative
permeability of petroleum reservoirs
5. [3] N. H. Richard. (2014). Flow through pores. Retrieved October 8, 2015,
from
http://www.slb.com/resources/oilfield_review/~/media/Files/resources/oilfiel
d_review/ors14/aut14/define_perm.ashx.

16

6. [4] Tiab, D., & Donaldson, E. C. (2011). Petrophysics: theory and practice
of

measuring

reservoir

rock

and

fluid

transport

properties.

Gulf

professional publishing.
7. [5]C. Peach J. Chen, X. Yang, Q. Duan, & C. Peach. (2015). Integrated
measurements of permeability, effective porosity, and specific storage of
core samples using water as the pore fluid. [Thesis]. International Journal
of Rock Mechanic and Mining Science. 79, 56-62. Retrieved 13 th October
2015 fromwww.elsevier.com/locate/ijrmms
8. [6] R. H. Mills & N. Hearn, (1990). Simple Permeameter for water or gas
flow. [Thesis]. Department of Civil Engineering. Cement and Concreter
Research. Vol 21. Pp. 257-261.
9. [7] J. Spearl& J. Trckova, (2008). Permeability and Porosity of Rocks and
their relationship based on laboratory testing. Institute of rock structure
and mechanics. ActaGeogyn. Geomater. Vol 5, No 1 (149).
10.[8] J.G Helltrom& T.S. Lundstrom, (2006). Flow through Porous Media at
Moderate Reynolds Number. Modeling for material processing. Riga Journal

14. APPENDICES

17