Stress effects on the relative permeabilities of tight sandstones

This note deals with the study of stress-sensitive relative permeability experimentally observed in low permeable sandstones. These sandstones are made up of quartz grains surrounded by permeable interfaces between grains and pores. A micromechanical model of relative permeability behaviour under loading highlights the role of the closure of interfaces. Morphological models adapted to permeable sandstones show conversely that the relative permeabilities do not depend on the loading.