Petroleum Engineering 311

Reservoir Petrophysics

Subsurface Measurement of Porosity

24 September 2007

Thomas A. Blasingame, Ph.D., P.E.

Department of Petroleum Engineering Texas A&M University
College Station, TX 77843-3116 (USA)
+1.979.845.2292
t-blasingame@tamu.edu
PETE 311 (07C) Subsurface Measurement of Porosity

Slide 1

Porosity: Grain Density Data

z Discussion: Grain Density Data

Assumes "perfect" materials.
Use for matrix volume calculations (lab).
Use for density log calculations (well logs) must know lithology.
PETE 311 (07C) Subsurface Measurement of Porosity
Slide 2

Porosity: Travel Time and Density Data

z Discussion: Travel Time and Density Data

Travel time is inversely related to velocity.
Water slows the response the most.
Correlate density and travel time?
PETE 311 (07C) Subsurface Measurement of Porosity

Slide 3

Porosity: Travel Time Density Correlation

Travel Time vs Density
200

120
100
80

40

LmSt

Salt

60

Anhydrite

140

20

Dolm

160

Quartz (Sandstone)

Water

Travel Time. sec/ft

180

3.25

3.00

2.75

2.50

2.25

2.00

1.75

1.50

1.25

1.00

0.75

0.50

0.25

0.00

Density, g/cc

z Discussion: Travel Time Density Correlation

Correlation is not definitive (unique).
Probably due to "averaging" of matrix materials.
Interesting to note the narrow range of properties.
PETE 311 (07C) Subsurface Measurement of Porosity

Slide 4

Porosity: Density Log

Governing Eqs: Density Log

Log = density fluid + (1 density ) matrix
= density fluid + matrix density matrix
= density ( fluid matrix ) + matrix
Rearranging
( Log matrix ) = density ( fluid matrix )
Solving for density

density =

( Log matrix )
( matrix Log )
or density =
( fluid matrix )
( matrix fluid )

z Discussion: Density Log

Denser the rock, the fewer gamma rays reach the detector.
Must KNOW lithology to use porosity relations.
Can be affected by gas.
PETE 311 (07C) Subsurface Measurement of Porosity

Slide 5

Porosity: Sonic Log

Governing Eqs: Sonic Log

t Log = sonic tfluid + (1 sonic )t matrix
= sonic tfluid + t matrix sonic t matrix
= sonic (tfluid t matrix ) + t matrix
Rearranging
(t Log t matrix ) = sonic (tfluid t matrix )
Solving for sonic

sonic =

(t Log t matrix )
(tfluid t matrix )

or sonic =

(t matrix t Log )
(t matrix tfluid )

z Discussion: Sonic Log

Measures time required for compressional sound waves to travel through
one foot of formation.
Sound travels more slowly in fluids than in solids. Pore space is filled with
fluids. Travel time increases as porosity increases.
PETE 311 (07C) Subsurface Measurement of Porosity

Slide 6

Porosity: Lithostatic Gradient

Governing Eqs: Lithostatic Gradient
( p/h)lithostatic ( p/h) fluid + ( p/h) matrix
[0.433 (psi/ft)/(g/cc)] w + (1 ) [0.433 (psi/ft)/(g/cc)] ss
Assume = 0.2
(0.2) [0.433 (psi/ft)/(g/cc)] w + (1 (0.2)) [0.433 (psi/ft)/(g/cc)] ss
Using w = 1.007 g/cc and ss = 2.65 g/cc
(0.2) [0.433 (psi/ft)/(g/cc)] (1.07 g/cc) + (1 (0.2)) [0.433 (psi/ft)/(g/cc)] ( 2.65 g/cc)
0.09266 (psi/ft) + 0.91796 (psi/ft)
1.01062 (psi/ft)

z Discussion: Lithostatic Gradient

This is the weight of the overburden imagine a column of fluid filed rock
extending to the surface, this is the weight gradient (converted to a
pressure per unit depth).
The lithostatic gradient of (1 psi/ft) is THOUGHT to be the maximum
pressure per unit depth. However, severely overpressured reservoir
systems have shown reservoir pressure gradients as high as 1.05-1.10
psi/ft.
PETE 311 (07C) Subsurface Measurement of Porosity

Slide 7