Rock Compressibility

Compaction of Sediments
Porosity is reduced by compaction
Rock matrix compressibility
Rock bulk compressibility
Pore compressibility

Porosity reduction is determined by the maximum

burial depth
Even if the rock is uplifted, it exhibits lower
porosity than rocks at less depth
Compaction effects are irreversible (Hysteresis
effect)
 Compaction Mechanisms
Pressure Solution
Rotation and Closer Ductile Grain Breakage of At Grain
Packing Deformation Brittle Grains Contacts

Platy Grains
(e.g., clays)
Non-Platy Grains
(e.g., qtz., feldspar)
Ductile Framework
Grain (e.g. Shale Rock
Fragment) Modified from Jonas and McBride, 1977
The Effect of Overburden
Pressure
50

40
Sandstones

30

20

Shales
10

0
0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000
Overburden pressure, psi
 Isothermal Compressibility
General Definition:
The relative volume change of matter per unit
pressure change under conditions of constant
temperature

Equation:
Coefficient of thermal compressibility is

1 V
C =
V p
Isothermal Compressibility
Types of compressibility
Matrix Compressibility ( Cm )
usually Cm 0
Pore Compressibility ( Cp )
Bulk Compressibility ( Cb )
usually Vb Vp

Significant Importance
Formation compressibility can have a significant impact
on reservoir performance
Decrease in bulk volume can cause subsidence which
can have significant environmental impact
 Formation Compressibility
F O

F M F F

Under static conditions, downward overburden force must be

balanced by upward forces of the matrix and fluid in pores
F O
= F
M
+ F
F PO = PM + PF
As fluids are produced from the reservoir:
PF Decreases PM Increases
Pressure Gradients in Normal Reservoirs:
dpo/dZ = 1.0 psia/ft dpF/dZ = 0.465 psia/ft
Laboratory Determination of Cf

In reservoirs, overburden pressure is constant and

the pressure of fluid in pores changes, resulting in
pore volume change
In the laboratory, we change the confining pressure
on the core plug (overburden) while holding the pore
pressure constant
Remember that the net compaction pressure on the
matrix is the difference between the overburden and
pore pressures
Laboratory Determination of Cf
Laboratory Procedure
Core plug is 100% saturated with brine
Core plug is placed in rubber or soft copper sleeve
As pressure outside sleeve is increased, pore volume
decreases and the volume of expelled brine is
measured

pconfining