Porosity Measurement by Digital Helium Porosimeter

Porosity fraction is defined as the ratio of the pore volume to the bulk volume of the rock sample: ???? ?????? ? = ???? ?????? In lay terms, pore volume is the void space in the rock. Bulk volume is the volume that the rock occupies, sometimes called matrix volume. Grain volume is the volume of the rock grains or solids (not including the pore volume). Porosity is the fraction of void space in the total rock. Thus, pore volume can be calculated from the bulk volume and grain volume measurements. ???? ?????? = ???? ?????? −????? ?????? Bulk volume is usually determined by callipering or by displacement. Porosity can be calculated from the equation: ???? ?????? −????? ?????? ? = ???? ?????? First, find the line Volume (VL) and the cup volume (Vcup) for at least 5 different random disks set collection. Use the following equation to find VL and Vcup after a linear curve fitting: ???? + (1 − ?1 ?2 ) ?? = ∑??−??? Grain volume can be determined using the following equation: ?? = ???? + (1 − ?1 ?2 )?? − ∑??−???? Procedure: 1. Place the core plug in the Matrix Cup. 2. Turn Valve “SAMPLE VALVE” to the “VENT” position. 3. Open Valve “GAS INLET” to “ON.” 4. Pressurize the system to approximately 100 psi. 5. Adjust the pressure by rotating the handle of the “REGULATOR.” 6. Close “GAS INLET” (“OFF” Position). 7. Record “UPSTREAM PRESSURE”, P1. 8. Turn “SAMPLE VALVE” to “EXPAND,” directing the helium into the cup. 9. Observe the “UPSTREAM PRESSURE” until a stable reading is obtained. 10. Record the stabilized pressure reading, P2. Results: 1. Calculate line volume (VL) and cup volume (Vcup) 2. Calculate grain volume and porosity of your samples Questions: 1. Is the porosity measured in Exp. 3 consistent with porosity measurement from Exp.2? Which experiment shows higher values? Is it for both samples A and B? Explain the possible reasons of differences in porosities from Exp.2 and Exp.3. 2. Rock (formation) compressibility is a crucial property fluid flow calculations and studies which can be measured in the lab. What is the mathematical relationship (formula) between porosity and formation compressibility? Also how the rock compressibility can be measured in the lab (explain in one paragraph). Disk Set B-409 Disk # Disk Size, in. Disk Volume, cc 1 ⅛ 1.59864 2 ⅜ 4.80933 3 ½ 6.41134 4 ¾ 9.63592 5 1¼ 16.09359