Sealing efficiency of caprocks: Experimental investigation of entry pressure measurement methods

Abstract

Caprocks play a key role in hydrocarbon entrapment and in the geological storage of gas. Top seals inhibit vertical migration due to their low permeability and high entry pressure (PE). This study investigated four different techniques for measuring PE: (1) step by step method; (2) dynamic approach; (3) racking method; (4) residual pressure method. This article reports results on two samples: a carbonate (1.5 μDarcy (1.5 10−18 m2)) and a claystone (15 nDarcy (1.5 10−20 m2)). On the carbonate sample, methods 1, 2 and 3 gave a PE value of 1.1 MPa, whilst method 4 gave a PE of 0.4 MPa. On the claystone sample, methods 1 and 2 gave a PE value around 12 MPa. The data allow us to consider best practices for PE measurements on caprocks. Methods 2 and 3 are the quickest and most accurate methods but show limitations in very low permeability porous media. Method 2 required three days to measure PE in the 15 nD claystone and experiments on 1 nD (10−21 m2) materials would take longer. Additional issues on mechanical stresses impact the result reliability since in methods 2 and 3 effective stress can significantly change during the experiment. Method 4 measures a snap-off pressure that is lower than the entry pressure value. Method 1 is a long experiment but is the most representative of in situ hydrocarbon migration though caprocks.