LABORATORY REPORT

PETROLEUM ENGINEERING LABORATORY VI (EG 322)

NUMBER OF EXPERIMENT: 1

EXPERIMENT TITLE: POROSITY AND DENSITY TEST OF ROCK SAMPLE

LAB SESSION/GROUP NUMBER: WEDNESDAY /GROUP1

STUDENT NAME: SATTISH SOMUNAIDU

STUDENT ID:1001645032

TUTOR’S NAME: MS NOOR A’SHIQIN BINTI JAAFAR @ MUSTAFA

DATE OF EXPERIMENT :23/01/2018

DATE OF SUBMISSION :30/01/2018

UCSI UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
 Table of content

No Content Page

1. Introduction 3

2. Objective 4

3. Material and apparatus 4

4. Procedure 4

5. Results and Calculation 4-5

6. Question and Answers 5-6

7. Discussion 6

8. Conclusion 6

9. References 6

10. Raw data 7

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INTRODUCTION

The weighty subject of bulk density relates simply to the ratio of solids (i.e., sand, silt, and
clay particles) to pore space (porosity) in a given sample of soil. Bulk density typically
increases as the ratio of solids in a soil increases, and conversely decreases as the ratio of
solids decreases. Looked at from the porosity perspective, bulk density increases as pore
space decreases. The relationship of bulk density and porosity is reciprocal. As one increases,
the other decreases.

Porosity and density are related, and a good understanding of the porosity and density of
reservoir rocks is a key factor in estimating their hydrocarbon potential. Porosity is the best
known physical characteristic of a reservoir. It determines the volume of oil or gas present,
and all recovery computations must be based on knowledge of its value. In a hydrocarbon
reservoir, the porosity represents the percentage of the total space that is available for
occupancy by either liquids or gases. It determines the storage capacity of the sand and is
generally expressed on a percentage basis or as a fraction or a decimal. Figure 8.1 shows the
illustration of porosity of a rock.

In well logging, petro physicists use acoustic and density measurements of rocks to compute
their mechanical properties and strength. Measurement of the compressional (P) wave
velocity of sound through the rock and the shear (S) wave velocity together with
measurement of the density of rock is important to compute the relationship between stress
and deformation for a rock.

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Objective

 To identify relationship between porosity and density

 To calculate the density and porosity of rock sample
 To identify the difference in mass at different test condition

Apparatus

1. Vacuum desiccator
2. Vacuum pump
3. Vernier caliper
4. Oven
5. Analytical balance

Materials

1. Core sample
2. Water

Procedures

1. The dimension of the core sample measured by using vernier caliper.

2. The core sample weighted and the reading as bulk mass,Mbulk recorded.
3. The core sample immersed in a dessicator filled with water and vacuumed for one hour.
4. The core sample weighted. The reading of saturated mass, Msat recorded.
5. The core sample placed in the oven at the temperature of 105°C for 24 hours.
6. The core sample weighted. The reading of dry mass, Mdry recorded.
7. The porosity and density of the rock sample calculated.

Result

No Parameter Value
1. Diameter (cm) 5.38
2. Length (cm) 2.8
3. Bulk Volume, Vbulk (cm3) 63.65
4. Bulk Mass, Mbulk (g) 174.8
5. Saturated Mass, Msat (g) 176.44
6. Dry Mass, Mdry (g) 174.69
7. Pore Volume, Vp (cm3) 1.75
8. Dry Density, ρdry (g/cm3) 2.74
9. Porosity, ϕ (%) 2.7

Calculation
Bulk Volume= (pi)(r2) x L
= (22/7) (2.69)2 x 2.8
= 63.45 cm3

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Assume 1g= 1cm3 water
Pore volume, Vp = Saturated Mass - Dry Mass
= (176.44 – 174.69) g
= 1.75g
= 1.75cm3

Dry Density, ρdry = Dry Mass(g) / Bulk volume(cm3)

= 174.69/ 63.65
=2.74 g/cm3

Porosity= Pore Volume(cm3) / Bulk Volume(cm3)

= 1.75/ 63.65
= 0.027
=2.7%

Question
1. Explain two types of porosity that can exist in a rock.
 Primary porosity which the porosity of the rock that formed at the time of its
deposition.
 Secondary porosity which develops after the deposition of the rock, for example
fracturing and re-crystallization.

2. What are the factors that can affect porosity?

 Material composition of rocks.
 Size of grains.
 Moisture content in that area.
 Shape of grains- the rounder the particle the greater the porosity
 Sorting of sediments- as the particles size get mixed the porosity decreases.
 Packing-as the packing of the particles becomes tighter the porosity becomes less

3. In hydrocarbon reservoirs, the porosity is important for the accumulation and

storage of
oil, gas and water. Given the condition:
Dry mass of sample= 311 g
Mass of sample with pores completely filled with water= 331 g
Diameter of core plug= 40 mm
Length of core plug= 110 mm
Specific gravity of brine = 1.05

a) What is the porosity of the rock?

Bulk Volume= (pi)(r2) x L

= (22/7) (2)2 x 11
= 138.23 cm3

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Assume 1g= 1cm3
Pore volume, Vp = (Saturated Mass - Dry Mass)/ Specific gravity
= (331-311) g /1.05
=19.05g
= 19.05 cm3

Porosity = Pore Volume(cm3) / Bulk Volume(cm3)

= 19.05/138.23
=0.138

b) Can the rock be a good hydrocarbon reservoir? Justify your answer.

 This rock can be a good hydrocarbon reservoir as the porosity value is 13.8
percent which indicates a good porosity percentage as per research the rock
porosity which lies in the range of 10-40 percent it is considered as a good
hydrocarbon reservoir.

Discussion
Based on the rock sample given the calculated value of density is 2.74 g/cm3 and the
pore volume is 1.75 cm3 with a bulk volume of 63.65 cm3. With the information of the
rock sample gathered and calculated the rock sample has a porosity of 2.7 percent, this
low porosity means this rock sample containing reservoir is not suitable to be a good
hydrocarbon reservoir. The objectives of this experiment has clearly justified as to test
the porosity and density of the rock sample given. The difference in dry mass and
saturated mass does not vary much and it shows that this rock does not absorb water in
large quantity and has initial low porosity.

Conclusion
For the sample rock that has been tested in this experiment the porosity value is 2.7
percent which means the rock has a very low porosity and hence it is not suitable for the
hydrocarbon exploration as the rock might be a shale rock based on the porosity value
obtained.. The density of the rock sample has been calculated to be 2.74 g/cm3 in this
case. The objective of this experiment has been fulfilled which is to calculate porosity
and density of the rock sample. The given example properties in the question has also
indicates that the rock is suitable as hydrocarbon reservoir. This experiment is very
beneficial as this test is needed to find hydrocarbon reservoir in future. This experiment
is under the exploration field which is early stage of producing oil and gas.

References
1. Porosity. (n.d.). Retrieved January 27, 2019, from https://wiki.aapg.org/Porosity
2. Pore Volume. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/materials-
science/pore-volume
3. Everyday Soil Science #4: Bulk Density & Porosity. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://wmearthcare.com/everyday-soil-science-4-bulk-density-porosity/