Microscopic distribution of wetting and nonwetting phases in sandstones during immiscible displacements

Journal Article · Fri May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Reserv. Eng.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2118/13212-PA· OSTI ID:6503725

Yadav, G D; Dullien, F A.L.; Chatzis, I; Macdonald, I F

A novel technique has been developed and used to study the microscopic distribution of wetting and nonwetting phases in reservoir rocks during immiscible displacements. The underlying principle is the use of appropriate fluids, serving as the wetting and the nonwetting phases, that can be solidified in situ, one at a time, without altering to any significant extent the position and orientation of the phases acquired at capillary equilibrium conditions. After both phases are solidified, the rock matrix is etched and replaced by a resin to enhance the quality of polishing. Polished sections are then serially made at each 5- to 10-..mu..m depth and photomicrographed, wherein the three phases are distinguishable from each other. Experimental results have been obtained with Berea sandstone and the phase distribution is being analyzed. Relative permeabilities measured with the other phase solidified compare very well with conventional results obtained by the Penn State steady-state method, using Soltrol and brine. Wettabilities of the fluid pairs were also visualized directly by this new technique.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Waterloo
• OSTI ID: 6503725
• Journal Information: SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Reserv. Eng.; (United States), Journal Name: SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Reserv. Eng.; (United States) Vol. 2:2; ISSN SREEE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
BRINES
CAPILLARY FLOW
DEPTH
DIMENSIONS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
EQUILIBRIUM
ETCHING
FLUID FLOW
FLUID INJECTION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
MICROSCOPY
OIL WELLS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PHASE STUDIES
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
PHOTOGRAPHY
PHOTOMICROGRAPHY
POLISHING
POLYMERS
RECOVERY
RESERVOIR ROCK
RESINS
ROCK-FLUID INTERACTIONS
ROCKS
SANDSTONES
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SOLIDIFICATION
STIMULATION
SURFACE FINISHING
SWEEP EFFICIENCY
WATERFLOODING
WELL STIMULATION
WELLS
WETTABILITY