Characterization of Surface Area to Volume Ratio of Fractured Rocks for Temperature Transient: Laboratory and Field Methods

Abstract

Surface area to volume ratio is an important geometric parameter which influences the temperature transient behavior of fractured rocks. An equivalent radius based on volume and surface area, which treats any shaped body as though it were an equivalent sphere, can be used to predict the temperature transient response of fractured rocks cooled in heat-convective fluids. This paper reviews how to measure surface area to volume ratio in laboratory for naturally fractured rocks. A paraffin coating technique can be used to measure the surface area of naturally fractured rocks in laboratory. Well interference tests can be applied in naturally fractured reservoirs to estimate both permeability-thickness product and porosity–thickness product, which can then be used for estimating in-situ surface area to volume ratio.