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Dynamic fluid configurations in steady-state two-phase flow in Bentheimer sandstone
Ying Gao1, Ali Q Raeini1, Martin J Blunt1
1Qatar Carbonates and Carbon Storage Research Centre, Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom.
Physical Review. E
|February 19, 2021
Summary
Investigating two-phase flow in porous media, this study reveals how capillary number (Ca) influences fluid distribution and connectivity, leading to dynamic flow regimes and altered fluid pathways. Pore geometry significantly controls these flow characteristics.
Area of Science:
- Multiphase flow in porous media
- Fluid dynamics in porous materials
- Geophysical fluid dynamics
Background:
- Understanding two-phase flow in porous media is crucial for various applications, including oil recovery and carbon sequestration.
- The interplay between capillary and viscous forces dictates fluid distribution and flow behavior.
- Previous research has identified distinct flow regimes based on capillary number, but dynamic connectivity requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of capillary number (Ca) on fluid configurations and connectivity in steady-state two-phase flow.
- To identify and characterize different flow regimes as a function of capillary number.
- To quantify dynamic connectivity arising from the interaction of oil ganglia populations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized fast synchrotron tomography to visualize fluid distribution in a sandstone core sample.
- Co-injected brine and n-decane at a fixed fractional flow (fw=0.5) across a range of capillary numbers (2.1×10⁻⁷ ≤ Ca ≤ 4.2×10⁻⁵).
- Monitored pressure differentials and performed multiple imaging scans to capture both rapid and slow fluid occupancy changes.
Main Results:
- Identified distinct flow regimes dependent on capillary number: fixed pathways at low Ca and dynamic effects with intermittent fluctuations at higher Ca.
- Observed that increasing Ca leads to fluctuations in the size and number of oil ganglia, particularly affecting intermediate-sized pores and throats.
- Developed phase diagrams quantifying intermittent flow based on capillary numbers (Ca_w, Ca_nw) and the balance of capillary, viscous, and inertial forces (Reynolds and Weber numbers).
Conclusions:
- Dynamic connectivity in two-phase flow is driven by the interaction of oil ganglia populations and is strongly influenced by the capillary number.
- A competition between viscous and capillary forces, modulated by pore geometry, governs the transition from Darcy flow to intermittent flow.
- Pore geometry plays a significant role in controlling the observed flow regimes and fluid distribution patterns.
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