Calculating Porosity and Permeability Values to Assess Pore Distribution with the Mercury Injection Capillary Pressure Technique

Abstract

This research focuses on determining the values of porosity and permeability in rocks by examining pore distribution through the Mercury Injection Capillary Pressure method. This technique operates on the concept of capillary pressure, where mercury is forced into a rock specimen under increasing pressure to analyze the size and arrangement of its pores. The data gathered from these measurements enables the calculation of effective porosity and absolute permeability by utilizing the Washburn and Katz-Thompson formulas. Findings indicate that variations in porosity and permeability are affected by factors such as rock texture, grain dimensions, and the connectivity between pores. Rocks with evenly distributed pores exhibit greater permeability compared to those with poorly connected pore structures. Overall, the MICP technique has demonstrated its effectiveness in delivering a quantitative understanding of pore microstructures and can be effectively utilized for reservoir characterization within the field of petroleum geology.