The effect of the capillary number and its constituents on two-phase relative permeability curves
The goal of this study is to determine the effect of the capillary number on two-phase (oil-water) relative permeability curves. Specifically, a series of steady-state relative permeability measurements were carried out to determine if the capillary number causes changes in the two-phase permeabilities or if any one of its constituents, such as flow velocity, fluid viscosity, or interfacial tension, are the controlling variables. For the core tests, run in fired Berea sandstone, a Soltrol 170 oil-calcium chloride brine-isopropyl alcohol-glycerin system was utilized. Alcohol was the interfacial tension reducer and glycerin was the wetting phase viscosifier. The non-wetting phase (oil) relative permeability showed little correlation with the capillary number. As the interfacial tension decreased below 2.0 dynes/cm, the oil permeability increased dramatically. However, as the wetting phase viscosity increased, the non-wetting phase demonstrated less ability to flow. For the wetting phase (water) relative permeability, the opposite capillary number effect was shown. For both the tension decrease and the viscosity increase, i.e., a capillary number rise, the water permeability increased, but not as much as with the oil curves. No velocity effects were noted for the range studied. A relative permeability model was then developed from the experimental data, based on fluid saturations, interfacial tension, fluid viscosities, and the residual saturations, using regression analysis. The applicability of these regression models were then tested with the aid of a two-phase reservoir simulator.
- OSTI ID:
- 5361883
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-8310121-
- Journal Information:
- Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States), Journal Name: Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States) Vol. SPE12170; ISSN SEAPA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Effect of the capillary number and its constituents on two-phase relative permeabilities
Effect of the capillary number and its constituents on two-phase relative permeability curves
Related Subjects
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
CAPILLARY FLOW
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
DIAGRAMS
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLOW RATE
FLUID FLOW
FLUID MECHANICS
FLUIDS
HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY
HYDRODYNAMICS
MATERIALS TESTING
MATHEMATICS
MECHANICS
OIL SATURATION
OIL WELLS
OPTIMIZATION
PERMEABILITY
POROSITY
RECOVERY
REGRESSION ANALYSIS
RESERVOIR FLUIDS
RESERVOIR ROCK
ROCK-FLUID INTERACTIONS
ROCKS
SANDSTONES
SATURATION
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SIMULATION
STATISTICS
STEADY FLOW
STEADY-STATE CONDITIONS
SURFACE PROPERTIES
SURFACE TENSION
TESTING
TWO-PHASE FLOW
VISCOSITY
WATER SATURATION
WELLS