Using capillarimetry to assess the tortuosity of reservoir rocks

Abstract

The use of a dumbbell void model is adequate for quantifying hydraulic tortuosity from reservoir parameters. The dumbbell model of the void space involves the alternation of filtering channels of the rock with pores (macrocapillaries) and interporeal constrictions (microcapillaries). Hydraulic tortuosity is physically explained by the expansion of the flow lines of the filtration flow in the pores and contraction in the interporeal tubules. Residual water is confined mainly to clay particles that line the pore channels. Since the residual water is immobile, it leads to a narrowing of the open area of the pores and, consequently, to a specific decrease in hydraulic tortuosity.