Centrifuge measurements of capillary pressure. Part 1; Outflow boundary condition

Journal Article · Sat Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1992 · SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Reservoir Engineering; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2118/18296-PA· OSTI ID:5519684

O'Meara, Jr, D J; Hirasaki, G J; Rohan, J A ^[1]

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1. Shell Development Co. (US)

In this paper the capillary pressure curve is estimated from centrifuge measurements with the assumption that P{sub c} = 0 at the outflow end of the core. With the proper end piece to support the core sample, this boundary condition is valid in practically all circumstances. If the end piece is wetted by the produced liquid, however, experiments show that the capillary pressure curve is altered significantly. Theoretical analysis demonstrates that film drainage can displace the zero-capillary-pressure boundary condition to the bottom of the end piece or farther. Accordingly, the authors recommend that the displaced phase not wet the end piece; in the case of water, a teflon end piece is recommended over the commonly used rubber one. When the end piece is not a problem, the condition for 100% liquid saturation at the outflow face can be expressed as a critical Bond number, which is rarely exceeded. Saturation profiles for an experiment just below the critical Bond number were in excellent agreement with predictions.

• OSTI ID: 5519684
• Journal Information: SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Reservoir Engineering; (United States), Journal Name: SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Reservoir Engineering; (United States) Vol. 7:1; ISSN SREEE; ISSN 0885-9248
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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