Pore fabric shape anisotropy in porous sandstones and its relation to elastic wave velocity and permeability anisotropy under hydrostatic pressure

@article{citeulike:1026677, abstract = {To understand the relationship between pore space anisotropy and petrophysical properties, we developed a novel apparatus capable of simultaneously measuring permeability, porosity and ultrasonic velocities at hydrostatic pressures up to 100 MPa. First, we use magnetic susceptibilities and acoustic wave velocities to identify the principal anisotropy axes under ambient laboratory conditions. This directional anisotropy data is then used to guide experiments on two sandstones (Bentheim and Crab Orchard) under hydrostatic pressure from 5 to 90 MPa. We find the structural anisotropy formed by the void space is well described by velocity anisotropy in both cases. Under hydrostatic pressure, the acoustic anisotropy of Crab Orchard sandstone (COS) decreases from 3\% and 7\% at 5 MPa (P-wave and S-wave) to 1.5\% and 1\%, respectively, at effective pressures over 40 MPa; for Bentheim sandstone the decrease is considerably less. Permeability of COS is 125x10-18 m2, decreasing rapidly as effective pressure increases, with permeability parallel to bedding approximately twice that normal to bedding. In contrast, permeability of Bentheim sandstone is 0.86x10-12 m2, and varies little with effective pressure or coring direction. We relate many of our measurements made under hydrostatic pressure to the contrasting pore fabric between the two rock types, and infer that a critical pressure is required for the initiation of crack closure.}, author = {Benson, P. M. and Meredith, P. G. and Platzman, E. S. and White, R. E. }, booktitle = {Rock Physics and Geomechanics}, citeulike-article-id = {1026677}, doi = {10.1016/j.ijrmms.2005.05.003}, journal = {International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences}, keywords = {prestress, rocks}, month = {}, number = {7-8}, pages = {890--899}, posted-at = {2007-01-05 14:03:38}, priority = {2}, title = {Pore fabric shape anisotropy in porous sandstones and its relation to elastic wave velocity and permeability anisotropy under hydrostatic pressure}, url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2005.05.003}, volume = {42}, year = {2005} }

TY - JOUR ID - citeulike:1026677 L3 - citeulike-article-id:1026677 TI - Pore fabric shape anisotropy in porous sandstones and its relation to elastic wave velocity and permeability anisotropy under hydrostatic pressure T2 - Rock Physics and Geomechanics JF - International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences VL - 42 IS - 7-8 SP - 890 EP - 899 N2 - To understand the relationship between pore space anisotropy and petrophysical properties, we developed a novel apparatus capable of simultaneously measuring permeability, porosity and ultrasonic velocities at hydrostatic pressures up to 100 MPa. First, we use magnetic susceptibilities and acoustic wave velocities to identify the principal anisotropy axes under ambient laboratory conditions. This directional anisotropy data is then used to guide experiments on two sandstones (Bentheim and Crab Orchard) under hydrostatic pressure from 5 to 90 MPa. We find the structural anisotropy formed by the void space is well described by velocity anisotropy in both cases. Under hydrostatic pressure, the acoustic anisotropy of Crab Orchard sandstone (COS) decreases from 3% and 7% at 5 MPa (P-wave and S-wave) to 1.5% and 1%, respectively, at effective pressures over 40 MPa; for Bentheim sandstone the decrease is considerably less. Permeability of COS is 125x10-18 m2, decreasing rapidly as effective pressure increases, with permeability parallel to bedding approximately twice that normal to bedding. In contrast, permeability of Bentheim sandstone is 0.86x10-12 m2, and varies little with effective pressure or coring direction. We relate many of our measurements made under hydrostatic pressure to the contrasting pore fabric between the two rock types, and infer that a critical pressure is required for the initiation of crack closure. KW - prestress KW - rocks AU - Benson, PM AU - Meredith, PG AU - Platzman, ES AU - White, RE PY - 2005/0// UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2005.05.003 ER -