In rocks with microporosity, capillary forces hold water tightly to rock surfaces, decreasing the effective size of the already small pore throats. Therefore, a greater buoyancy pressure is required for oil or gas to migrate. Micropore reservoirs have longer saturation transition zones than macro- or mesoporous reservoirs; immobile water saturation is lower in macroporous rocks. | In rocks with microporosity, capillary forces hold water tightly to rock surfaces, decreasing the effective size of the already small pore throats. Therefore, a greater buoyancy pressure is required for oil or gas to migrate. Micropore reservoirs have longer saturation transition zones than macro- or mesoporous reservoirs; immobile water saturation is lower in macroporous rocks. |