Saturation

Volume of phase to pore volume

Wettability
Tortuosity
Mobile vs immobile

1) Swir -irreducible water saturation, below which water cannot flow.

2) Swc -connate water saturation existing on discovery of the reservoir. It may or
may not be irreducible.
3) Swi -may mean irreducible, connate, or interstitial, which means saturation
among the interstices, or pores. Interstitial may or may not signify
irreducible. It may be the value on discovery of the reservoir, or the value
at any time thereafter. Swi may also mean initial or original, which truly
means the water saturation on discovery, but it may or may not be
irreducible.

Saturation
Saturation distribution in a reservoir

Saturation

Factors affecting fluid saturations

Fluid invasion
Release of confining
pressure
Thermal affects

Factors affecting fluid saturations

Factors affecting fluid saturations

Influence of mud type on saturations

Oil
67.6%

Oil
53.4%

Gas
34.8%

Oil
32.9%

Oil
50.9%

Filtrate18%

Oil
26.7%

Gas 25.6%
Oil
26.7%

Wtr
32.4%

Wtr
46.6%

67.6%
Wtr
38.5%

Wtr
49.1%

Wtr
49.1%

Wtr
47.7%

Original

After
flushing

At
surface

Original

After
flushing

At
surface

Water-based Muds

Oil-based Muds

Measurement of Fluid Saturation

1. Retort method
- evaporation of the fluids in the pore space
2. Dean-Stark extraction method
- the leaching of fluids in the pore space

Measurement of Fluid Saturation

Retort method

sample is sealed inside an aluminum cell

and then heated in stages from 400 F to
1100 F

Advantages: fast, multiple samples run

Picture of a conventional retort

[CoreLab,1983]

Measurement of Fluid Saturation

Disadvantages of Retort method
Coking effect - heating process
burns oil to the pore surfaces.
results in oil recovery less than the
initial amount in the sample.
Empirical correction

removal of both pore water and water

of crystallization.
Results in high water recovery

Volume of water
in pores

Retort oil correction curve

[CoreLab, 1983]

Crystallized
water

Retort water calibration curves

[CoreLab,1983]

Measurement of Fluid Saturation

Dean-Stark extraction method

vapor of a solvent rises through the core

and leaches out the oil and water.
water condenses and is collected in a
graduated cylinder.
solvent and oil continuously cycle through
the extraction process.
A typical solvent is toluene, miscible with
the oil but not the water.
Advantage: accurate
Disadvantage: long time
Wwet Wdry Wwtr
So
Vp*
o

Measurement of Fluid Saturation

Example of Dean-Stark extraction method to determine
saturations

Obtain the mass of the saturated sample

= 57 gms.
Determine the bulk volume by nondestructive means
= 25 cc
Determine the oil density
= 0.88 gm/cc
Place the sample in the extraction apparatus and heat the solvent.
Record the volume of water collected and when the reading
becomes constant stop.
Vw = 1.4 ml
After cooling, remove the core and dry, obtain dry weight
= 53 gms.
Using the saturation method, resaturate the sample with
fresh water ( = 1.00 gm/cc) and weigh.
= 58 gms.

Measurement of Fluid Saturation

Example of Dean-Stark extraction method to determine
saturations

Calculate the pore volume and porosity,

Calculate the water saturation

Calculate the oil saturation

Calculate the gas saturation

58 53
Vp
5cc
1.00
5

20%
25

Sw

1.4
28%
5

So

57 53 1.4 *1.00
59%
5 * 0.88

S 1 0.28 0.59 13%

g