Fluid-Flow Characterization of Porous Media (for the Example of the Jeanne d?Arc Basin Consolidated Reservoirs)

Abstract

Flow of fluids in porous media is a complicated process governed by several physical parameters and properties of the solid particles and fluid molecules, as well as the interactions between them. The Kozeny-Carman equation is one of the powerful equations that provides a better understanding of fluid flow. The equation can be successfully applied to viscous flow and laminar flow through unconsolidated and consolidated porous media if some of its elements are known. One of these elements is the Kozeny-Carman coefficient (Kcc), which has a specific influence on the mechanism of fluid flow in porous media. In this study, Kcc, along with other parameters, was obtained numerically from well-log measurements for several wells penetrating the Canadian offshore Jeanne d?Arc Basin reservoirs, which consist of consolidated and heterogeneous rocks characterized by a complex network of pores and pore channels. It is shown that Kcc is not a constant but a variable depending on several physical parameters and lithological attributes and strongly related to fluid flow as well as to electric-current conduction in porous media. The Kozeny-Carman coefficient, obtained as tortuosity (tau) times shape factor (Shf) agrees well with that obtained as tau times Archie cementation factor (m). This observation suggests that Shf and m are analogous to each other. An average value of 7.5 was obtained for Kcc, which can be used for similar media instead of the value of 5.0 that is inaccurately used for consolidated porous media. Also, an average value of 3.3 was obtained for tau and an average value of 2.28 was obtained for Shf (analogous to m). Empirical equations linking Kcc and a variety of petrophysical parameters were also obtained.