Permeability Characterization and Its Correlation with Pore Microstructure of Stress-Sensitive Tight Sandstone: Take Chang 6 in Ordos Basin for Example

Abstract

Tight reservoirs are sensitive to stress changes during fracturing and oil and gas production. Facing different production modes, the variation characteristics of rock permeability and pore structure need to be further clarified. In this study, using a self-built high temperature and pressure physical simulation device and NMR equipment, the influence of the stress loading method, cyclic loading, and loading rate on rock permeability and pore characteristics were analyzed, and the relationship between them was clarified. The permeability sensitivity under variable confining pressure (63.3%) was greater than that of variable flow pressure (46.4%). The damage rate decreased with repeated loading (63.3%-35.8%) and increased loading rate (53.1%-42.3%). As for the pore features, when the net stress increased, the volume variation range of micropores was greater than that of mesopores. The damage rate of permeability (63.3%) was obviously larger than that of pore volume (10.4%). The slope of the fitted curve of permeability and pore volume decreased evidently with loading times. The structure deformation of rock skeleton and the migration of cement had a great influence on permeability in the first loading. Later, it was mainly the bulk deformation of rock particles, the particles’ contact surface increasing and the seepage space shrinking slowly. Eventually, the permeability remained stable due to the limited pore compression. This study can provide a reference for designing reasonable production parameters and reducing formation damage.