Characterizing Average Permeability in Oil and Gas Formations Conference Paper uri icon

abstract

  • SummaryPermeability in a formation frequently follows a unimodal probability distribution. In many formations, particularly sedimentary ones, the permeability distribution is similar to the log-normal distribution. Theoretical considerations, field cases, and a reservoir simulation example show that the median, rather than the arithmetic mean, is the appropriate measure of central tendency or average value of the permeability distribution in a formation. Use of the correct estimate of average permeability is of particular importance in the classification of tight gas formations under statutes in the 1978 Natural Gas Policy Act (NGPA).

published proceedings

  • SPE Formation Evaluation

author list (cited authors)

  • Rollins, J. B., Holditch, S. A., & Lee, W. J.

citation count

  • 8

complete list of authors

  • Rollins, JB||Holditch, SA||Lee, WJ

publication date

  • March 1992