Estimation of the adsorption capacity of oil-bearing rocks: a method and its prospects

The adsorption capacity of natural cores of the oil-bearing rocks has been studied by using vapor-phase gas chromatography (statistical method). The thermodynamic parameters of sorption of reservoir rocks (dried, after extraction of oil) are determined by the mineralogical composition of cement in the sandstone cores. The presence of water decreases the adsorption capacity. However, if the rock contains kaolinite, the sorption of hydrocarbons increased 10-fold in the presence of water. The adsorption capacity of the oil-bearing rock is related to the combined properties of organo–mineral complexes.