Porosity

All of petroleum engineering deals with the exploitation of fluids residing within porous media. Porosity, simply defined as the ratio of the pore volume, V_p, to the bulk volume, V_b,

is an indicator of the amount of fluid in place. Porosity values vary from over 0.3 to less than 0.1. The porosity of the reservoir can be measured based on laboratory techniques using reservoir cores or with field measurements including logs and well tests. Porosity is one of the very first measurements obtained in any exploration scheme, and a desirable value is essential for the continuation of any further activities toward the potential exploitation of a reservoir. In the absence of substantial porosity there is no need to proceed with an attempt to exploit a reservoir.