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Department of Geosystem Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113, Japan
1 Dia Consultants Co., Ltd., Kobunsha-Bldg., 3-1-2 Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 171, Japan
The effect of intrinsic permeability of argillaceous rocks on long-term petroleum migration is discussed from results of both laboratory experiments and numerical sensitivity studies. Results of our experimental studies on one-dimensional mechanical compaction of both muddy slurries and mudstones show that porosity(
Considering the importance of
)-permeability(K) relationships are linear on double logarithmic scales, i.e. and K satisfy the relationship: K=K0(/0)a, where K0 is initial permeability, 0 is initial porosity, and ‘a’ is a parameter depending on the samples used. Comparison with published -K relationships of mudstones indicates that the above mentioned relationship could be extrapolated to natural condition when >0.3. On the other hand, the relationship becomes deviated from measured data in the low porosity range. -K relationships in <0.3 on the timing of expulsion of petroleum from source rocks, this paper discusses the way to find out an appropriate -K relationship through trial and error matching of results of basin simulation using different -K relationships with observed pore pressure and porosity data. We also present one case study using an imaginary siliciclastic sedimentary basin and discuss the potential of a numerical study to establish one of the appropriate relationships, showing how calculated results become varied by choosing different relationships.
