Lode angle dependence of permeability along the three principal directions in purple sandstone
Abstract
Previous studies have primarily examined the dependence of permeability in a single direction on true-triaxial principal stresses. However, reservoir rocks exhibit pronounced permeability anisotropy, and their principal stresses undergo dynamic alternation. Thus, clarifying how the Lode angle affects three-directional permeability is essential for hydrocarbon recovery. This study examines the permeability of purple sandstone along the three principal directions using a self-developed edge-sealed geophysical imaging cell. Tests are conducted under constant hydrostatic pressure with varying deviatoric stress and Lode angle. The findings reveal that all three directional permeabilities vary non-monotonically with the Lode angle. Their relationships with deviatoric stress can be positive or negative depending on this angle, reversing between the two opposite loading and unloading conditions of the principal stresses. Permeability anisotropy, quantified by the ratio of the three directional permeabilities, persists even under hydrostatic pressure due to internal heterogeneity. The anisotropy ratio also varies non-monotonically with the Lode angle but exhibits an approximately monotonic relationship with deviatoric stress at a constant Lode angle. A model is developed to characterize the dependence of permeability on the Lode angle, and its coefficients characterize directional differences in permeability sensitivity to effective principal stresses. A stronger Lode angle dependence corresponds to greater differences in stress sensitivity among the directions.
Document Type: Original article
Cited as: Liu, J., Zhong, W., Liu, D., et al. Lode angle dependence of permeability along the three principal directions in purple sandstone. Advances in Geo-Energy Research, 2026, 22(1): 58-71. https://doi.org/10.46690/ager.2026.10.05
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46690/ager.2026.10.05Keywords:
Lode angle, sandstone, anisotropic permeability, true-triaxial stress, stress sensitivityReferences
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Copyright (c) 2026 Jiacun Liu, Wei Zhong, Dongping Liu, Liyuan Jiang, Ying Xu
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