Rock Typing and Permeability · Module K1
Why one transform fails, and the four routes to a curve
The opening module explains why no logging tool measures permeability and why one porosity to permeability fit across all the core hides the rock types that matter. It sets out the four routes the platform offers, from transforms in the literature and NMR to a network trained on plugs and rock typing, what each needs before it can run, and where each sits in the menus. It also introduces the course well, imports its core, and shows the starting mistakes that spoil every route.
- Level
- Advanced
- Position
- Module 1 of 8
- Video
- About 17 minutes, narrated
- Format
- Narrated video lesson with captions and slide reading view; with the certified option, a quiz whose pass unlocks the next module.
What the module covers
- Why every permeability curve is a model
- Pore volume against pore throats
- What a single global k–φ fit hides
- Facies, rock type and flow unit
- Four routes and what each needs
- Importing core and reading the core crossplot
Learning outcomes
After the module you should be able to:
- Name the four routes to a permeability curve, what each needs, and what one global k–φ fit hides, before running any of them.
- Explain why the same porosity can carry permeabilities two decades apart
- Pick the route that the available data can support before running it
A short preview
On the course well, the sand plugs with porosity between 0.19 and 0.21 range from about 11 to 680 millidarcies in air permeability: more than sixtyfold across what a porosity log would call a single value. A single power law fitted through every plug gives 87 millidarcies at 0.20. The rock behind those plugs was built from four hydraulic units, worth roughly 456, 79, 13 and 2 millidarcies at that porosity. The global line under-reads the best rock about fivefold and over-reads the poorest about fortyfold, and both ends matter: one carries the flow, the other sets the cut-off.
Who it is for
Petrophysicists, reservoir engineers and geoscientists who build permeability curves from core and logs, define rock types, and carry permeability into net pay, k·h and saturation-height models.
Prerequisites: The Intermediate track, or working experience with shale volume, porosity and water saturation; Advanced modules A2 and A4 help but are not required. The hands-on steps use the Rock Typing, Permeability estimate, NMR and Neural network permeability workspaces in Formation Evaluation, all available from the Starter plan.
Take the module in the Learning Hub
Rock Typing and Permeability: Specialty course, sold separately: eight modules that turn core plugs and logs into a permeability curve you can defend, from plugs on a stated basis through transforms, NMR and rock types to net pay, k·h and the saturation-height hand-off. The lesson opens in the Learning Hub once the track is purchased; graded quizzes and the certificate come with the certified option.