ENPE 513: Porous Media

Assignment #2: Fluid Distribution in Porous Media

by Capillary Forces

A) In assuming the two core samples are both strongly water-wet, we may infer
that oil, the non-wetting phase in the reservoir, may be modeled accurately by
air, the non-wetting phase in the lab experiment. As such, the primary drainage
saturation curves may be used to approximate the connate water saturation. In
the lab, the core sample would be cleaned of all in situ reservoir fluids, and then
would be completed saturated with water (brine). The primary drainage process
would be carried out by increasing air pressure such that the brine, wetting
phase, is displaced by the air, non-wetting phase. The resulting data collected is
used to plot the air-brine pressure curves and the irreducible wetting phase
saturation is found.

Given the relationship Pc=2σcos(θ)/r, we may adjust the experimental data to

model the actual reservoir conditions. In the above equation cos(θ)/r is a
constant value for both the core samples and the reservoir. Therefore, we see
that: PC,lab/σair-w = PC,reservoir/σow is a true statement. Solving for PC,reservoir=
PC,lab*(σow /σair-w) , we can find the capillary pressures corresponding to the wetting
phase saturations used in the lab. Finally, a plot of capillary pressure versus
wetting phase saturation is made for both Layer A and Layer B. The resulting
data is as follows:

Core Sample # 1 (Layer A) Core Sample # 2 (Layer B)

Sw Pc lab (pa) Pc res (pa) Sw Pc lab (pa) Pc res (pa)
1 0 0 1 0 0
0.99 56000 20000 1 56000 20000
0.7 112000 40000 1 112000 40000
0.5 168000 60000 0.95 168000 60000
0.3 224000 80000 0.9 224000 80000
0.25 280000 100000 0.83 280000 100000
0.23 336000 120000 0.8 336000 120000
0.22 392000 140000 0.75 392000 140000
0.21 448000 160000 0.7 448000 160000
0.2 504000 180000 0.66 504000 180000
0.19 560000 200000 0.6 560000 200000
0.18 616000 220000 0.57 616000 220000
0.18 672000 240000 0.55 672000 240000
0.18 728000 260000 0.53 728000 260000
0.18 784000 280000 0.5 784000 280000
0.18 840000 300000 0.47 840000 300000
0.18 896000 320000 0.45 896000 320000
0.18 952000 340000 0.43 952000 340000
0.18 1008000 360000 0.42 1008000 360000
0.18 1064000 380000 0.4 1064000 380000
0.18 1120000 400000 0.4 1120000 400000

B) In analyzing the capillary pressure-saturation curves, a more horizontal curve

is representative of a more uniform pore size distribution in the reservoir.
Looking at Plot 1, we see that the curve for core sample #1 (layer A) is much
more horizontal, and thus the pore size distribution is more homogeneous or
even. Conversely, the slope of the curve for core sample #2 (layer B) is much
steeper, meaning the pore sizes vary more.

C) Using the equation Pc=Δρgh, where Δρ=ρw-ρo , g=9.81 m/s2, and h=height
from WOC, we can find the equivalent heights at each capillary pressure. The
resulting data is as follows:
Core Sample # 1 (Layer A) Core Sample # 2 (Layer B)
Pc res Equivalent Height Pc res Equivalent Height
Sw (pa) (m) Sw (pa) (m)
1 0 0.00 1 0 0.00
0.99 20000 13.59 1 20000 13.59
0.7 40000 27.18 1 40000 27.18
0.5 60000 40.77 0.95 60000 40.77
0.3 80000 54.37 0.9 80000 54.37
0.25 100000 67.96 0.83 100000 67.96
0.23 120000 81.55 0.8 120000 81.55
0.22 140000 95.14 0.75 140000 95.14
0.21 160000 108.73 0.7 160000 108.73
0.2 180000 122.32 0.66 180000 122.32
0.19 200000 135.92 0.6 200000 135.92
0.18 220000 149.51 0.57 220000 149.51
0.18 220725 150.00 0.56 220725 150.00
0.18 240000 163.10 0.55 240000 163.10
0.18 260000 176.69 0.53 260000 176.69
0.18 280000 190.28 0.5 280000 190.28
0.18 294300 200.00 0.48 200.00
0.18 300000 203.87 0.47 300000 203.87
0.18 320000 217.47 0.45 320000 217.47
0.18 340000 231.06 0.43 340000 231.06
0.18 360000 244.65 0.42 360000 244.65
0.18 380000 258.24 0.4 380000 258.24
0.18 400000 271.83 0.4 400000 271.83
Further, we may show the fluid distribution in the whole reservoir by plotting it as
a multilayer system ie. a “step-like” plot (see next page). Looking at plot 3, we
see that Sw,ir is at approximately 0.17 and the region in which the water
saturation is less than 30% is highlighted.

In deciding where a 15 meter perforation would be most effective, one should

take into account the porosity and permeability of the reservoir rock. Noting that
the porosity and permeability of Layer B are 3x and 30x those of Layer A,
respectively, we would want perforations in the region of Layer B. The higher
permeability of Layer B would yield a higher production rate. However, we also
want the region in which oil saturation is at a maximum. Taking both the
properties of the reservoir rock and the fluid distribution into account, the ideal
range for perforations would be 135m-150m from the WOC as highlighted in the
box on plot 3.