Permeability Changes during the Flow of Distilled Water and Brine through Geothermal Sandstones at Temperatures of 25°C - 270°C

Abstract

The effect of temperature on permeability of sandstone/water systems continues to be a phenomenon far from well characterized, despite past attempts of reconciling controversial results by means of oversimplified statements. Measurements performed at temperatures up to 270°C in the drillcores samples o sandstones from the Cerro Prieto geothermal field indicate, aside from mechanisms already well identified that affect permeability, that an inherent effect of temperature on absolute permeability of sandstone/water systems cannot be categorically excluded. The main implication is, that to obtain representative permeability data for geothermal applications form measurements in core samples it is necessary to duplicate both the reservoir temperature and the pore fluid chemistry as closely as possible.