Investigation on the impact of rock physical properties on permeability variation: case study for the reservoir heterogeneity development

Various factors are controlling the reservoir petrophysical characteristics and their evolution. Investigations have shown that control on reservoir characteristics and heterogeneities and essentially permeability can be ascribed to textural and physical properties of the rocks. Variation in grain size distribution and their arrangement is one of the factors responsible for the discrepancy on the petrophysical characteristics and essentially permeability and heterogeneity. Thus and in the case study, reservoir quality assessment can be supported by the calculated different physical properties of the considered samples. The pore radius, the R35 as well as the Sgv (surface grain volume) which can be of big contribution towards the reservoir performance capability and essentially the reservoir permeability. They can be of a relative discord with obtained permeability results. Application of the Kozney-Carman equation relating measurable rock properties versus permeability was also conduct in this case study. It is aimed to support assessment rock quality and permeability sustainability. It has revealed the value of the reservoir based on a correlation between measured and theoretical permeability determinations. Of importance for the reservoir anisotropy investigation on permeability are the subsequent events mainly diagenetic which have affected these petrophysical properties. They can be illustrated through the degree of compaction affecting the considered material and leading to dissimilarity in obtained permeability values. For that purpose, microscopic investigation has indicated variable significant effect. These effects provide a direct impact on fluid path circulation in addition to the change in reservoir pore geometry. These latter parameters create a direct consequence on tortuosity and cementation constraints in addition to the formation resistivity factor. Obtained results were in a reverse relation with the permeability values. Thus, these acquired results are not only characterizing permeability evolution according to the selected sandstone samples but also the complexity of the fluid paths geometry. Defined and combined to each other, these properties allow the scale up of reservoir heterogeneity and its evaluation.