A Short Note On Permeability Anisotropy In Heterogeneous Porous Media

Abstract

This paper presents some new results of theoretical modeling on permeability anisotropy in heterogeneous porous media. It is shown that the lineation of heterogeneities results ·in permeability anisotropy. However, to produce strong anisotropy, the permeability contrast between the lineated high permeability region and the background must be very high. We demonstrate this using two examples. The first is the fracture model in which the background has negligible permeability compared to the fractures. In the second example the fractures are replaced by impermeable stripes and the background has high permeability. In both cases permeability anisotropy with an order of magnitude difference is produced. These results compare well with the results of laboratory experiments performed to evaluate permeability anisotropy.