Characterizing Drainage Multiphase Flow in Heterogeneous Sandstones. Issue 4 (26th April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jackson, Samuel J.; Agada, Simeon; Reynolds, Catriona A.; Krevor, Samuel
• Is Part Of: Water resources research. Volume 54:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 3139
• Page End: 3161
• Publication Date: 2018-04-26
• Subjects: core analysis -- multiphase flow -- equivalent relative permeability; Hydrology -- Periodicals; 333.91
• DOI: 10.1029/2017WR022282
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0043-1397

Abstract

Abstract: In this work, we analyze the characterization of drainage multiphase flow properties on heterogeneous rock cores using a rich experimental data set and mm‐m scale numerical simulations. Along with routine multiphase flow properties, 3‐D submeter scale capillary pressure heterogeneity is characterized by combining experimental observations and numerical calibration, resulting in a 3‐D numerical model of the rock core. The uniqueness and predictive capability of the numerical models are evaluated by accurately predicting the experimentally measured relative permeability of N2 —DI water and CO2 —brine systems in two distinct sandstone rock cores across multiple fractional flow regimes and total flow rates. The numerical models are used to derive equivalent relative permeabilities, which are upscaled functions incorporating the effects of submeter scale capillary pressure. The functions are obtained across capillary numbers which span four orders of magnitude, representative of the range of flow regimes that occur in subsurface CO2 injection. Removal of experimental boundary artifacts allows the derivation of equivalent functions which are characteristic of the continuous subsurface. We also demonstrate how heterogeneities can be reorientated and restructured to efficiently estimate flow properties in rock orientations differing from the original core sample. This analysis shows how combined experimental and numerical characterization of rock samples can be used to derive equivalent flow properties from heterogeneous rocks. Key Points: Drainage multiphase flow properties are characterized on heterogeneous rocks using core flood experiments and 3‐D numerical simulations 3‐D numerical models are validated by predicting experimental gas‐water relative permeabilities at multiple fractional flows and two flow rates Equivalent relative permeabilities incorporating mm‐m scale heterogeneities are derived across a range of Nc, relevant for subsurface flow