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Title: Analytical and numerical modeling of immiscible gravity-stable gas injection into stratified reservoirs

Conference · · Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5257589

To gain insight into the complex, direction-dependent displacement characteristics of a cross-bedded reservoir zone, the authors have first carried out numerical simulations on a centimetre scale in a small part of a cross-bedded reservoir zone. The simulations indicate that, during water/oil displacement, considerable amounts of movable oil are initially left behind in the higher-permeability foreset laminae with fluid flow perpendicular to the foreset laminae, whereas with flow parallel to the foreset laminae the displacement efficiency is good. To enable a proper description of the displacement characteristics on a reservoir scale, the authors have developed a procedure for calculating direction-dependent pseudo relative permeability and capillary pressure curves to be used as input for the simulations of water/oil displacement in a cross-bedded reservoir zone. On a reservoir scale, the displacement characteristics in a cross-bedded reservoir zone are found to be slightly more favourable with main fluid flow perpendicular to the foreset laminae. In addition, the sensitivity of the displacement characteristics in a cross-bedded reservoir zone to moderate reductions of interfacial tensions and increases of water viscosity has been investigated, both on a cm-scale and on a reservoir scale. The simulations indicate a potential substantial recovery improvement in cross-bedded reservoir zones upon addition of diluted surfactant or polymer to the drive water.

Research Organization:
Shell Research B.V.
OSTI ID:
5257589
Report Number(s):
CONF-8310121-
Journal Information:
Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States), Vol. SPE12112; Conference: SPE annual technical conference, San Francisco, CA, USA, 5 Oct 1983
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English