The Interrelation Between Gas and Oil Relative Permeabilities By A. T. Corey* Introduction ‘The relative permeability of a reser~ voir rook to each of the fis flowing Through itis Smpertant in the prediction, tf reservoir behavior. 1f a direct rela~ Hlonship between gas and. ofl relative permeabilities could be demonsirated, Considerable time Would be saved in the fanalysie of large numbers of reservoir amples, Such a relationship would slso contribute toward a better understand {ng of she fundamental aspects of fluid flow in porous material. ‘Prom the results of numerous mess ‘urements in te laboratory by the cxpll- lary pressure technique, a relationship ‘yas observed between gas and oll rels- tive permenbilies, ls paper presents fs method for calculating oil relative ‘ulds and the factors affecting st have Tong been recorded in the literature, One Of the early attemats to intarrelate these fquenttieg in a rational manner resulted 4h the Koveny-Cerman equation, Later ftvzmpts have resulted in essentially the fame relationship, ‘According tothe Koreny - Carman ‘equation, permeatilty of @ porous m= ferlel can be expressed as a fumetion of ‘the product of to. parameters one of ‘Which evaluates the effective path Iength of the flowing fuid and the other whieh evaluates the mean hydreulle Tadius of channess through which the fluid flows. "Rose and Bruce euggested the use of ‘the KKozeny-Carman relationship to pre- ‘dle: relative permeability. The name ‘his formula to partial saturations and Introduced a tortuosity coefficient, e, de- termined empirically. Wyllie and Span- fler" and Ister Burdine’ derived an fnalogous formula by using the mean hydraulle. radius concept of ‘Kozy Garinan for each pore size ins. rock having a wide variety of pores. Por a detailed iseussion of this theory and fs historical development, the reader Is referred to the paper by Wyille and ‘Spangler ‘Prom measured relative permeabili- ties, ‘Buraine’ observed that the tortus tity Datumeters oauld be approximated by simple expressions in terms of fluid faturations, For all relative permeabil- ity, ‘Burdine’s equation can be expressed Senmenbiides tom measured gag tela- - tortuosity was given to the parameter Doe permeabilities uring. the observed evahiating the effective path length, In oats Pasuee fokaBetnip. Te siso presents a rationale thelr original paper, owever, it was B\-8% - relatos tigen weed tsa Smt eataaton ed i feet y= (3 ow oveny-Cerman equation and the prop- on tortuosity, Tharnion? and later Wy! 180 1 Sear tne ‘capiany prewure-desatme lp and Rose) noted thet tortuosity was yasuee ration ‘function, Saturation dependent and suggested Its : Historical Background SKeerminauin Uy electrical measure” ya for gus relative permeability Sixperimentet measurements to deter- mens. amine the conductivity of porous rock to Using a bundle of eapilery tubes ot San ae x varying sive an an analogy, Purcell de~ asere mr # Deven Comets Poh —Yelgped a formula for te permesbity x, ( a ih Tc Cones on even Of & pOrows system Sn terms of its pow I elie et ge roaly and ts expiary pressure-deset: fase? oh ist 25 ration curve. Gatos and Lietz applied J 10 100 (iE 7) | ° 20 WOTES:(I) 0g 1S A SCALING FAGTOR 2] (2) Aro Aten #(ZEZ) = Soot #|__| a0 0. 1 ° 7 z 0 i 5 | sf | eyo {| = MEASURED “WaLUES Bf Puv) | 2° | — Linear APPROXIMATION S soLt seco ad >? W s0}-+ = 205% Y 2 rs ° s, & [Som 20% & 3] 3 us 30 [-— OALCULATE 1 SS kco WITH 5 2 70 & wol-ekio WITHOUT oW.|— I Z| oxra without ow. o i . Zo f| a ee OIL SATURATION, So (%) TOTAL LIQUID SATURATION (% VP) Figure 1-Plt 3 of typical (VP ve 53) Foretion igus 2-Relaive perm ‘gteement wih caeloted values ed sand show PRODUCERS MONTHLY PERMEABILITY — % RELATIVE te tia seo i" ea ee om ic " uh tiv Ne180 4 100 1 sol—| pus 1 %0 | k= 520 ma Fel ¢ f cof —|t2342% 60 i 7 - { 70 pore? % E10 a - ! = CALCULATED a 7 B col —| © kro MEASUR 5 o|—puuoe © Krg MEASURED 4 |B | K+ es.8ma| fo : 0 Zt ies% 7 | 5 | sore 2a - B , [see e88 w b | : xo [--catouLateo | * E kro wit ow, | ° | » 5 sof-ekro witvour ow.t 1. | ° 2 Kra WITHOUT GW BA 0 © Cs EL ede # °o 10 20-3040, 50 60 70 80 30 100 °o 10 20 304080 60 70 80 90 100 TOTAL LIQUID SATURATION (% Vp) OIL SATURATION (% Vp) Figure 3-Relative permeabilitios on poorly cont: snd showing Figure 4—Relstive parm with dolomite, equations (1) and @), Sy 36 the olf aration expressed as a fraction of the ‘volumo; Sw is the residual oil sat= 7 H8 the capillary pressure. "The expres: ‘ot integrals in equations (1) and @) are ‘netion, Theory Because the theory and observations on which equations 1) abd @2) are based have been thoroughly discussed in the Literatures". 8 derivations of equa tions (1) and @) are not given here. Tt mentary porous materiel, and the in- spection of others measured elsewhere ‘indicate that to a close approximation: GS -Su) for Ss > Sor ) whee Gis « constant. If the saturation is exprossed' ae a traction af the “effec= five” “pore volume (volume of pares ‘minus the volume of reeldual ai), Ps = 68, NOVEMBER, 105 @ Sorcement with eles values “abilities. Although it 5 expected that the “Showing deviations fom esleulated tions might be as diticalt as the direct ‘measurement of relative permeability Experimental Procedures where © = 5 G-8.), and where Be is the effective saturation defined By 5-8 © Relative permeability, measuremonts’ hhave been made on a large number ot cores from sovers) raservoir formations by the capillary pressure tecbnique. "The equipment employed a aimfiar to th faecotbed by Clates and Lietz! but tt has ‘8 number of médhanical refinements Which make it adaptable to the semi- routine analyses of oll field cores, With {ls equipment, consistently reproducible results ave been obtained af many reservoir materiale, Tn addition to the capilary proseure technique, a simplified procedure as ‘been devetoped for the rapld meanire- ‘ment of gas relative permeabilities, ‘which is slmilar to that designated by Osobar et al, a the “stationary Haul method.” ‘The method differs fram theirs in that the cores are generally not Dlastie-coated and are not confined ab the time of desaturation. ‘The cores ere placed in a sleeve only during~ aetual How measurements, Oil is removed in ‘norgnents with en absorbing tissue, and satufations are determined. gravimetsi- cally. "Because of the convenience and speed with ‘which gas relative permeabilities fan be measured by thls technique, ‘the ata obtalned for gus were used to com- pute oll relative permeabilities, and these were compared with: values mens= ‘ured by the capllary pressure technique, "The provedure was as-follows: 1-85 ‘Because of the lnear relationship ex- pressed in equation (4) and Hlustrated in Pig. 1, he Salion of integrate in equa tions (and @) ean be evaluated trom ‘the geometry of similar right triangles ‘At any ssturation, Si the ratio apply- Ing to the ofl phase'is St and that applying to the “gas phase ts 1-8 Reference to Fig. 1 vill make this situ ation clear. In-Pig. 1, the valtes An and ‘Am ropresent the iniograts et the satu rations 0.7 and 10 respectively Conse ‘quently equation (1) becomes Ke = Sut © Moreover, if Sm is assumed to be unity ima first approximstion, equation (2) Deeemes Ky = G-80G-8.9 Equations (6) and ) imply a rela tHonship that should be applicable for ‘tho ealowlation of ofl relative permeabll- {ties from monsured gas rolative perme- validity’ of equations (6) and () is confined to natural sadiments, the noed for capillary pressure data required for ‘ihe solutions of equations (1) and @) is avoided. Perhaps the best that can be expected for any goterallzation of this kind 1s an approxima‘ton. 11s desirable tha the approximation not require ‘measurements which under some condi- (2) Wang equation (1), approxt= mate valuer of Bu. are determined corresponding to measured values of oon “eo ete tes) wer or soe, no Ee atts Ut Banas@) ‘Thos calculated values, which say be designated as 5,,,are plotted function of If Sq were exactly unity, then 8. ‘would "equal Su and, by’ equation ), would give @ straight line. Tn fact, Su 4 1 in general, and the curvo is only approximately straight. However, if thls ourve is extrapolat- ed to Bu = O and By. = 1, the cor= responding valtes of 8. ave exactly Buy and Bu, (3) Using the value of Sy ob- tained in this way, values of oll CITIZENS NATIONAL BANK Copital and Surplus $400,000.00 * binscrons JW, Beer ohn P. Bolo FO, Kerner Sron Marsal Maton Je J. MeDowall .V. Shader * CALL 4322 - 3234 DURO-LITE CO. Bradford, Pa. READY. MIXED CONCRETE The Right Mix ‘Whére You Order It When You Order Iti FOR BUIIDING BLOCKS. CHLOCRETE AND CONCRETE CCENENT — SAND — GRAVEL SHOAD GRAVEL relative permenbity, are obtained from the relationsalp, w= (} 1-85 ‘The procedure can be expedited by ‘making an accurate plot of the function Ky = d-80! 1-5. By the use at such & plot, complete Kr curves can be obtafted from measured By data In a fow minutes, Results and Disensston Altogether, the measured relative per~ meabilities of about forty cores were analysed in the manner deseribed above In sbout ‘two-thirds of the cases, the measured values of Ky» were in’ good agreement with the theory. Examples fare shown tn Figures 2 ond 3. Only a few cores gave remuts differing greatly. from the measured values. Examples of three different typer of variations are shown in Figures. 4, 6, and 6. These examples represent the most extreme variations observed, In most cases the variations, if any, were much smaller. ‘These statistios'are probably not par tieularly significant, ‘however, ‘becayse ‘many of the cores were from the same formation, Prom the assumptions made in the derivation of equation (6), It ‘unlikely that it woulé apply to materials hhaving unusual pore size. distributions such as synthetic materlats, aggregated sols, vugular limestones, or sands con- taining a high percentage of cementing ‘material 1 the derivation, she tulds are pre~ sumed not to react with the matrix. Consequently, the method might not apply to water-gas or even water-ofl systems. Moreover, tere is no evidence ‘to support the use of equation (6) for systems in which a wetting phase re- places a non-wetting phase as in imbic Dition or a water fod. ‘Not all of the situations deseribed in the foregoing paragraphs have been ex- amined. Equation (6) failed, however, ini ‘the ease of sand cares containing con- siderable dolomitic camenting material ‘A comparison of measured and calel- lated data'on sand zore of this type is shown in Figure 4.similar data for a core fram the same formation bit con= taining “less comonting material. are shown in Figure 2 ‘Equation (6) alto faled tn the-case of, cores having pronounced stratification. An extreme example is Mustratod. in Figure 5. Tn this cise the measured curves contained inflections not pre- icted by equation (®). Cores from the same formation not heving visible strati- ‘leations had relative permenbiites in excellent ‘agreement with computed values. This formation consists of poorly consolidated sand containing shale Iamn- ‘nations but litte cementing materia, ‘The measured oil reative petmenbility curves sometimes oman an infletion ft or near a saturation corresponding to the extrapolated 9. An analogous Dhenomenan Was observed by Boteet” on. 8 consolidated sandstone, Ol and ges relative permeability curves on a con- ‘olldated sandstone axe shown in Pigare 6 which iustrato a rather extremo ex. ‘ample of this type of Inflection. ‘Wyckoft and Botset* defined an equilgrinm saturation” above whieh they were unable to obtain steady sti flow of gas and liquid mixtures tn un- consolidated sands. With the techniques employed’ in this study, however, it is possible to control the pressure gradients in both phases Independently, and steady state flow was obtained at all saturations. Whether o mot the satu- rations obtained” were uniform. on a microsoapic or even maacroseuplo basis ar whether the ayetems were at all times Im a state of expillary equilibrium ave ‘questions ‘which are too complex to be iscuseed in this paper, Th should be noted that the term Sq as previously defined 1s not necessarily equal to/the “equilibrium saturation.” Im fact’ Bq may have no physical sig~ rifleapoe except that Implicit in the Imetbed of Its derivation. ‘@ factor which did not have any measurable effect on oll relative perme- gbllties was the presenes oF absence of ‘residual brine. ‘This situation. is ilus- ‘raied in Pigures'2 and 4 Hquation (7) as not been used exeept fas a tool for getting the saturation, Sy needed for the solution of equation’ (6). Te might be useful for obtaining Ky, curves also if @ method could be found for determining 8. nd Sy that is more convenient than measuring ens relative penmeabiites Surtimary and Conclusions ‘Measurements on & large number of cores indicate that a definite teletione ship usually exists between gag and. ofl relative permeabilities. The observed re- lationship ean be deduced from the characteristics of eapilary prossure-de- saturation curves obtained, on. porous fedimentaxy rock. ‘Examination of capflary pressure-do- saturation curves leads to the conclusion that to a close approximation: al From this relationship based, ontirely‘on, observation and from the Tindings of Burdine concerning the nature of the tortuosity-suturation function, an ex- pression far ol relative permeability as as (rae alae mace 1-8 Using gas relative permeabilities meas- ured by a simple and rapid technique, values of a residual off saturation, Sor were obtained by means of which Ky, curves were calctlateg. PRODUCERS MONTHLY wpsse 5. Bu sevrecremee | zaof Won oll tree the des “den Fon be ‘the | a Sn x ay E agreement with measured values on any ootes from a: number af resorvoir Vormations, Prom an analysis of the Fastumptions made tn the derivation of [the velationships presented, it would "soci that their validity would be eoh- fined to reservoir materiale not having V marked stratitations, large quantities “of comenting material, or Isrge solution channels - ee Acknowledgment ‘The author Wishes to ecknowledge the assistance of Mr. J, Ht. Henderson, Dr. Efrrank Morgan, and Dr. Alfred Schild Hoefer vatuale sggctins, To author also J yishes to express iis appreciation to Dr. Blaine B, Wescott, executive vice-prest- dent of the Gulf Research & Develop- ® ment Company, for permission to publish 2 ints paper. Bh it, Cee eM! Be ant fe nf pn, MB aden ST 3 ue, aon 8 at, 8) Sh i fk EE raya ean, | Diamond Alkali Co. Buys ‘Muscle Shoals Chl, Plant ‘he Muscle Shoals chlovinecanstic oda plant, recently sold by the govern- ‘ment to Diamond Alkall Company, 1s | now belng put into condition for opera- i fon and will be in production by Jan, 4, 1058, John’ A. Sargent, president of this major produce: of basic chemicals, made the above statement to a gather {ng of more than :00 civie and industrial leaders of Sheffield, Florence, Tuscum- bls, and Muscle ‘Shoals City ot a mectiig in October at the Tennessee Valley Golf and Country Club. Diamond officially took possession of the plant at a brisf ribbon-outting core- ‘mony when A. H, Ingley, viee president im charge of manufacturing for the ‘company, prosentad a chook for $1,050,- oo0—part paymeat on the purchase price of $15,127,000—to” Brig. Gen. Charles G, Holle, Division Engineer, Corps of Enginzers, U. 8. Army, Atlanta, Discussing Dismond’s plans. for the ‘multimillicndellar plant, ono’ of the largest, most modem and complete Insiallations of its kind, Sargent said: “The diversity. of our four other chlorine-enustic sSda_ producing points at Pine Bluff, Arkansas; Houston, ‘Texas; Painesville, Ohlo; Edgewood, Maryland—gives Diamond the sdven- tage of flexibility—a factor holding sitong Importance in these days of Increasingly en competition, ‘Sargent -noted one very important evelopment in this connection. “As a result of the Muscle Shoals chlorine-oaustic. mada plant becoming established ass principal producing plant for these two vital chemieals,” hhe declared, “tt 1s reasonable to expect ‘that customers of these products, in the area served by this plant, will enjoy lower delivered costs on these products, ‘Basle to many products and provese es, onustio soda is especially Important fo. the petvoleum industry,” Sargent sald, ‘Chlorine ie essential for water Purification, and for the production of ‘leaching materials for paper and textiles ag well a8 the manufacture of drugs, other chorlcals, dyes, reftiger- fants, | inseotleldes, and weed-tllers ‘among other products” he added, Modem Fluids Test Laboratory ‘At University of Cincinnati University of Cincinnatl Department of Civil Enginoering headed by Profes- sor Gormelius Wandmacher, recently completed construction ofa modem Fluids Laboratory. Designed. and éonstructed almost entirely by campias personnel tt is an outstanding example of advancement in contemporary engineering education. Skill planning has resulted in a modern instructional facility where ‘classroom theories are effectively trans formed into the realm of practical application through lecture, demonstra ‘on and experimentation. the students to observe the behavior of aifferent fluids under various conditions. Color, coding of all the overhead pipes and fittings aids in tracing the flow. ‘Prinelpal equipment in the laboratory ‘moludes an oll flow unit to demonstrate hott Isminer and turbulent flow, a 24 oot glass-elded fume, a combination Reynolds number and orifice tank, = modern water turbine, a water hammer fand surge-unit for studying transient pressures, models of hydraulic struc fures_and various meters, gages and piping set-ups. - ‘Worthington Corporation, ono of the world’s largest producers of pumps, has Supplied the pumping equipment for the laboratory. This pcludes a vertical tarbie pimp which operates at 1,760, RPM with-# 800 GPM rated capacity at a 68 foot hoad. ‘A. geheral purpose. endsuction horl- sonisl pump of the volute type was falco. supplied by Worthington. This pump operates at 3,600 RPM with a 200 GPM capacity at 160 foot head. 100 — ec ' “CCC ” j * cas fi ae! ® +4] Teo > f I d| > Er + 51 2 FI | availa a 4 ~ a a he PLUG 2 a i Bol | xeas7 ma a, Zool | pes a = f304% b 9 5 k= 908 ma 7 © 40 | ore 26 % 5 @ 49 +159% ¥ so | - carcuraten #7 || wi someon E17] rw mensuneo y ETL cacwareo d 20 © Krg MEASURED > dq 20) kro MEASURED}—? g oy 2 lo kro Measured] [o. P” 0 10 ; 4 °, Ls se wesw” o L e109 30740786070 G0 80 100 «COBO TB G0 908070 BO 900 OIL SATURATION (% Vp) OIL: SATURATION (% Vp) awe Seve pemeshiin on pasiy canaind sand wth igure uae prmesbie on comlined sand showing ron ite es seins am dted les to mona ew ge ae ‘srtiiations showing NOVEMBER, 1951 a