Homogenized models of stress-sensitive reservoir rocks

This paper presents a coupled model for permeability evolution under stress of reservoir rocks by using a micro–macro approach. The rock is described by an assemblage of impermeable grains surrounded with permeable interfaces and pores. The macroscopic permeability is estimated from a self-consistent homogenization procedure. A mechanical constitutive description is associated to this model by considering linear elastic interfaces and incompressible grains. The evolution of the interface aperture is then determined for isotropic loadings and an estimate of the macroscopic stress dependent permeability is proposed and compared to experimental results.