Arrangement of Transient Pulse Method for the Quick Measurement on Permeability

Abstract

The transient pulse method is the useful method for measuring the low permeability in the impermeable rocks. This method and system is quite simple, though it takes very long time to evaluate the low permeability. In this study, we minimized the storage volume down to 4.05 cc so as to increase the sensitivity of pore pressure change during the tests. Permeabilities of three rocks were measured up to 100 MPa of confining pressure. Permeabilities of all rocks were decreased down to one order of magnitude from the initial values with an increase of confining pressure. The measured permeability of Inada Granite showed similar value with that in the previous reports. In the other rocks, permeabilities measured by transient pulse method indicated same values with that measured by steady state flow method at the same confining pressure. We did not find the differential pressure dependence on the permeability, though pore pressure dependence un the permeability was clearly obser ved. When our System is applied for permeability measurements, even very low permeability can be evaluated very quickly.