Determination of Specific Surface Area and Mean Grain Size of Reservoir Sediments - HILMI S. SALEM

What is it about?

ABSTRACT: Specific surface area (ss) is one of the most important and effective geometrical parameters in defining and interpreting petrophysical relationships, textural framework, and fluid–solid interactions in porous media. It is defined as the interstitial surface area of the pores and pore channels for each unit of bulk volume, grain volume, or pore volume, or for a unit of weight of a material. Variations in the specific surface area (ss) and mean grain size (Gs) influence the physical parameters controlling electric current and hydraulic flow, as well as acoustic and seismic wave propagation and attenuation. In this study, the specific surface area per unit of pore volume (sp) and the mean grain size (Gs) were numerically determined from well-log data for 14 wells penetrating the Hibernia and Terra Nova reservoirs of the Jeanne d'Arc Basin (JDB), offshore Newfoundland, Canada. Both parameters (sp and Gs) were derived using the formation resistivity factor, porosity, and permeability. Mathematical and physical concepts of ss (including sp) and Gs were analyzed, and empirical equations linking sp and Gs with various petrophysical parameters were obtained. The lithological components (shale, sandstone, silt, limestone, and marl) were also obtained. The rocks in both reservoirs are generally characterized by fine- to medium grain size and high values of sp. FOR CITATION: Salem, H.S., and Gilingarian, G.V. (1999). Determination of specific surface area and mean grain size from well-log data and their influence on the physical behavior of offshore reservoirs. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 22(4):241-252. URL: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/238366588_Determination_of_Specific_Surface_Area_and_Mean_Grain_Size_from_Well-Log_Data_and_Their_Influence_on_the_Physical_Behavior_of_Offshore_Reservoirs

Featured Image

Photo by L N on Unsplash

Photo by L N on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This paper is one of a very few papers that measured, identified, and/or determined this important physical parameter, known as Specific Surface Area, along with the Mean Grain Size of particles of offshore's oil and gas reservoirs. Interestingly, this paper which was written in 2000 (more than 20 year now), is presently cited and referenced by research scientists, who have worked on issues related to Nanotechnology and Materials Sciences, published in lead scientific journals, internationally.

Perspectives