PETE 2031 Chapter : Klinkenberg Effect
Document Summary
The true absolute permeability of porous rock is an intrinsic property of the rock, reflecting its internal structure. The permeability of a rock is a constant value, unchanged by different types of fluids at laminar flow rates that are nonreactive with the rock. However, when gases are used as the flowing fluid at low pressures, calculated permeability may be greater than true permeability of the rock. Thus, laboratory measurements must account for this phenomenon in order to report correct values to the petroleum engineer. In liquid laminar flow, the layer of molecules adjacent to and contacting the solid walls of the pores is stationary. The velocity profile of the liquid is a maximum at the center of the passageway and zero at the walls. However, when using gas in the same flow system, the gas velocity profile is not zero at the walls, but has a finite velocity in the direction of flow.
