Experimental and Theoretical Investigation of Multiphase Flow in Fractured Porous media, SUPRI TR-116, Topical Report
The fluid transfer parameters between rock matrix and fracture are not well known. Consequently, simulation of fractured reservoirs uses, in general, very crude and unproven hypotheses such as zero capillary pressure in the fracture and/or relative permeability linear with saturation. In order to improve the understanding of flow in fractured media, an experimental study was conducted and numerical simulations of the experiments were made. A laboratory flow apparatus was built to obtain data on water- air imbibition and oil-water drainage displacements in horizontal single-fractured block systems. For this purpose, two configurations have been used: a two-block system with a 1 mm spacer between the blocks, and a two-block system with no spacer. During the experiments, porosity and saturation measurements along the cores have been made utilizing an X-ray Computerized Tomography (CT) scanner. Saturation images were reconstructed in 3-D to observe matrix-fracture interactions. Differences in fluid saturations and relative permeabilities caused by changes in fracture width have also been analyzed.
- Research Organization:
- National Energy Technology Lab. (NETL), Tulsa, OK (United States). National Petroleum Technology Office (NPTO)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Fossil Energy (FE) (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG22-96BC14994
- OSTI ID:
- 9328
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/BC/14994-15; TRN: AH200122%%208
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 9 Aug 1999
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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