Browsing by Subject "Diffusion potential"

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Membrane Efficiency Behavior in Shales
(2003-05) Al-Bazali, Talal Mohammad; Sharma, Mukul M.; Chenevert, Martin E
An experimental investigation has been initiated in order to understand the fundamental mechanisms that control membrane behavior of shales. We believe that an understanding of this membrane phenomenon will help solve wellbore instability problems in shale formations. Combined hydraulic and electrical approaches are proposed for this study. The hydraulic approach uses pressure transmission tests to estimate the hydraulic membrane efficiency of shales (o), while electrical measurements are used to estimate the modified diffusion potential of shales (Ep). The effects of salt types and concentration gradients on both the hydraulic membrane efficiency and the modified diffusion potential of shales will be investigated. The combination of hydraulic and electrical tests for the same shale samples will provide us with a better understanding of the membrane efficiency behavior of shales. A complete illustration of the tests equipment and procedure is presented. We propose to show experimentally that the membrane efficiency and the modified diffusion potential of shales are related. We plan to develop empirical correlations that associate the membrane efficiency and the modified diffusion potential of shales. These correlations could be in the form of charts or empirical equations. Results obtained from existing mathematical models that describe the membrane efficiency and the modified diffusion potential of shales will be compared to our experimental data. The validity and limitations of these models will be studied and analyzed. If necessary, we plan to introduce modifications to these models.