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Relative permeability for water and gas through fractures in cement

Journal Article · · PLoS ONE
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [1];  [1];  [4];  [3]
  1. Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States). Energy and Environment Directorate
  2. Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States). Energy and Environment Directorate; Pohang Univ. of Science and Technology (POSTECH) (Korea, Republic of). Division of Advanced Nuclear Engineering. School of Environmental Engineering
  3. Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States). Earth and Biological Sciences Directorate
  4. Pohang Univ. of Science and Technology (POSTECH) (Korea, Republic of). Division of Advanced Nuclear Engineering. School of Environmental Engineering

Relative permeability is an important attribute influencing subsurface multiphase flow. Characterization of relative permeability is necessary to support activities such as carbon sequestration, geothermal energy production, and oil and gas exploration. Previous research efforts have largely neglected the relative permeability of wellbore cement used to seal well bores where risks of leak are significant. Therefore this study was performed to evaluate fracturing on permeability and relative permeability of wellbore cement. Studies of relative permeability of water and air were conducted using ordinary Portland cement paste cylinders having fracture networks that exhibited a range of permeability values. The measured relative permeability was compared with three models, 1) Corey-curve, often used for modeling relative permeability in porous media, 2) X-curve, commonly used to represent relative permeability of fractures, and 3) Burdine model based on fitting the Brooks-Corey function to fracture saturation-pressure data inferred from x-ray computed tomography (XCT) derived aperture distribution results. Experimentally-determined aqueous relative permeability was best described by the Burdine model. Though water phase tended to follow the Corey-curve for the simple fracture system while air relative permeability was best described by the X-curve.

Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States); Pohang Univ. of Science and Technology (POSTECH) (Korea, Republic of)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Fossil Energy (FE); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER) (SC-23); Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) (Korea, Republic of)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC05-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
1501547
Report Number(s):
PNNL-SA--124005
Journal Information:
PLoS ONE, Journal Name: PLoS ONE Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 14; ISSN 1932-6203
Publisher:
Public Library of ScienceCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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