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Pore Scale and Reservoir Modeling for Near Miscible Three-Phase Flow
Gas/WAG Flooding Reservoir
This paper was prepared for presentation at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, 13-16 November 2017.
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Abstract
Reliable of pore scale and reservoir modeling in reservoir with water alternating gas (WAG) flooding is
challenging and important for getting an accurate reservoir characterization, enhanced oil recovery (EOR)
and reservoir management. Inaccurate characterization and modelling of these reservoir properties and fluid
will lead to high uncertainty of reservoir characterization, minimum oil recovery and reservoir management
concerns. Hence it is useful to predict and assess effects on pore-scale and EOR of field scale.
Research has been performed in carbonate reservoir with near miscible three-phase flow of water
alternating gas (WAG) injection activity. It has several challenges: near miscible three-phase flow modeling,
effects of different three-phase relative permeability models on field-scale recovery for different wetting
systems and fluid properties at immiscible and near miscible and quantify impact to oil recovery.
The comprehensive pore-scale and reservoir modeling approach is required by the integration of
various sources such as those from petrophysical and geological data. Utilize the 3D network structure
of representative reservoir rock properties. In prediction and guide SCAL based; investigation the effects
(sensitivity) of interfacial tensions, contact angles, wettability, spreading coefficient, balance of viscous and
capillary forces into miscibility on the oil layers between gas and water in a fully interconnected three-phase
flow pore-network model. Utilize thermodynamic criteria for rock properties and oil layers, which affect
the oil relative permeability for accurate prediction of residual oil and maximize oil recovery.
I have used an integrated pore scale and reservoir models workflow: establish pore network model,
validate with SCAL, up scale to well logs, utilize formation pressure/sampling/testing and combine with
structural data of geology-seismic and perform history match of the reservoir dynamic modeling. The effect
of balance of capillary and viscous forces in pore scale have been evaluated in the research. It has provided
a reliable properties for a reservoir dynamic model.
In the research, i have used similar range of reservoir and fluid properties such as pore throat size in
reservoir range for pore network model. I analyze pore scale and field scale oil recovery during WAG
at immiscible and near miscible condition to generate the three phase relative permeability models. The
simulations at the reservoir scale shows that the highest oil recovery for the water-wet is obtained by
injecting near miscible gas. Recovery increased by over 10% during WAG injection in agreement with
typical values on SCAL and pore network models.
2 SPE-188298-MS
The comprehensive approach of near miscible three phase flow WAG in pore network model, core-
logs validation and the reservoir model are important in reservoir modelling. The integration is used for
getting an appropriate relative permeability, capillary pressures and water saturation in near miscible Gas
and Water Alternating Gas (WAG) flooding of reservoir. Thus it can give an accurate and robust of reservoir
characterization, maximize oil recovery and optimum reservoir management.
Introduction
This research is useful and important because Water-Alternating-Gas (WAG) injection is one of EOR
techniques that involve three-phase flow processes to improve the displacement efficiency in the reservoir.
WAG is a technique that has already been implemented successfully in several oil fields and is increasingly
considered for some Middle East carbonate fields. WAG injection can improve the oil recovery by contacting
unswept zones in the reservoir and by increasing the microscopic displacement efficiency in the three-phase
regions (Sohrabi et al.,2004) that are generated during WAG injection as a result of using two injection
fluids (water and gas) of different physical properties. Although WAG injection has improved oil recovery
world-wide, the intrinsic physical mechanisms of three-phase flow that controls this process are still not well
understood. It is very difficult and expensive to measure the relative permeabilities and capillary pressures
for three-phase flow and the results are uncertain at low oil saturations.
Empirical correlations are normally used in reservoir simulators to approximate three phase relative
permeabilities and capillary pressures using available relative permeability and capillary pressure
measurements for two-phase flow (Stone, 1970; Baker, 1988, Blunt, 2000). These empirical models have
limitation and are not suitable for near miscible three phases flow in gas and water alternating gas (WAG)
flooding of carbonate reservoir. This limitation leads to inaccurate prediction of residual oil at the pore
and reservoir scale model. Therefore, my research has been started in carbonate reservoir with focus to
near miscible of water alternating gas (WAG) injection activity which has various heterogeneity conditions
such as: porosity, permeability, rock type, relative permeability, fluid types/contacts, interfacial tension,
wettability, capillary and viscous forces.
Pore-network modeling starts with construction of a 3D digital rock from computed X-Ray tomography
(CT) followed by extraction of a network of pore bodies connected by pore throats from the digital rock,
SCAL calibration in carbonate reservoir (SPE 161187) and the simulation of two and three-phase flooding
sequences and calculation of the corresponding relative permeabilities, saturation and capillary pressures.
In this research, i have modified to three-phase and triangular network model that combines several
advances. First, it comprises a novel thermodynamic criterion for the formation and collapse of oil layers
(van Dijke et al., 2007). Second, flow of oil clusters by multiple displacements, as observed in micro model
experiments (Sohrabi et al.,2004) has been implemented. Third, the pore-network model is validated with
SCAL and can use equivalent representations of the complex structures observed in real rocks. Fourth, it
can be used for near miscible three phase flow of WAG flooding. Fifth, it uses field scale reservoir model
for validation and prediction.
Figure 2.0—Pore Network Validation using water wet experiment data for oil relative permeability
and water relative permeability in three phase flow with triangular pore network model
Pore network has used rock and fluid properties of carbonate reservoir. Figure 3.0 has similar properties
of initial water saturation (Swirr) and residual oil saturation (Sor) compared to core SCAL data of particular
carbonate reservoir: 5% to 30% for Swirr and 23% to 29% for Sor respectively (detail data in IPTC-17799).
Detail digital rock physic (DRP), core and logs data validation in carbonate reservoir works can be found
in my technical paper (SPE-161187). Conductannces area (A(k)) and contact angle (θ) criterias have been
applied in three phase of pore network model. It is useful for entry pressures and existence of intermediate
wetting layers. It can be found in equation 1a.
6 SPE-188298-MS
1a
Remarks:
γ(k) = half angle of corner or for triangular
r = pore radius
Figure 3.0—Pore Network Validation using water wet experiment data for three phase in carbonate reservoir
The change of relative permeability for drainage can be found in figure 3.1 and for imbibition can be
found in figure 3.2. It has used no aging condition of pore network model. It indicates that the conductances
have increased relative permeability of water and decreased relative permeability of oil.
SPE-188298-MS 7
Figures 3.1 and 3.2—Modified of conductance and contact angle on pore network for relative permeabilities in no aging case
For aging condition, the change of relative permeability for drainage can be found in figure 3.3 and for
imbibition can be found in figure 3.4.
8 SPE-188298-MS
Figures 3.3 & 3.4—Effects of applied conductivity on pore network for relative permeabilities, aging case
The change of relative permeability for secondary drainage (gas injection) can be found in figure 3.5 and
for imbibition can be found in figure 3.6. It has shown that the aging condition has provided lower residual
oil saturation compared to no aging condition in pore network.
SPE-188298-MS 9
Figure 3.5—Modified of conductance and contact angle on WAG1 pore network for relative
permeabilities in no aging,(no wettability changes), it has Sor = 0.405 v/v (sequence: O-W-G)
Figure 3.6—Modified of conductance and contact angle on WAG1 pore network for relative
permeabilities in aging cases. Aging (wettability changes), it has Sor = 0.231 v/v (sequence: O-W-G)
Figure 4.1—Relative permeability immiscible and near miscible with considering IFT_go and capillary number effects.
Figure 4.2—Relative permeability immiscible and near miscible with effect of IFT_go
SPE-188298-MS 11
Figure 4.3—Three phase oil relative permeability from water and gas saturation function (3D, modified weighting method)
Three-phase relative permeability for oil immiscible condition with modified weighting method:
(1)
Where:
Kro(wi) is the oil relative permeability for an oil-water system measured at irreducible water saturation
with no gas present.
Kro(w) is calculated at So=1-Sw
Kro(g) is calculated at So = 1-Sg-Swi
Somin is the minimum residual oil saturation for immiscible (it changes when approaching miscible
condition).
Swi* is a suitable irreducible water saturation input for monotonous of oil relative permeability.
Cr is constant for optimum oil relative permeability with considering reservoir rock properties.
Cr=1.35-Somin or Cr 1 to 1.35.
For near miscible of primary drainage condition, from immiscible, near miscible to miscible:
(2)
Remarks:
Krmisc : Oil relative permeability for miscible gas and oil
IFT_go_Nmisc : Interfacial tension of gas-oil for near miscible (N/m)
IFT_ow : Interfacial tension of oil-water (N/m)
Nc : Capillary Number (1-10 for Near Miscible & Infinite for Miscible, Immiscible < 1)
C : Exponent (0.15-0.015 for near miscible)
For near miscible of secondary drainage condition, from immicible to near miscible:
(3)
12 SPE-188298-MS
Figure 4.4—Effects IFTs on Near Miscible WAG pore network for relative permeability (aging case)
Effect of capillary pressure on dynamic pore scale is described generally by equations 4 and 5 (Stauffer
and Hassanizadeh):
SPE-188298-MS 13
(4)
(5)
(6)
Modified capillary coefficient for near miscible condition is used to see effect of viscous and interfacial
tensions on difference pressure. It can be seen in Figure 4.5 and equation 6. The decreasing of interfacial
tension to near miscible condition will increase difference pressure of oil water.
Difference pressure from pore network model in near miscible condition during gas injection can be
found in Figure 5. It has increased difference pressure due to viscous force in dynamic PNM compared to
immiscible condition.
Figure 5.0—Pore scale Drainage, Imbibition and near miscible Gas Injection
Figure 7.0—Reservoir model of X field with gas, oil and water saturations
Five reservoir rock types (from logs and SCAL, SPE 161187) with capillary pressures and relative
permeabilities have been used in reservoir dynamic model. The EOS model is a 7-component 3-parameter
SRK EOS for particular field. It was tuned using EOR measurements from two wells recombined fluid
samples matching the conventional, swelling tests and the miscibility study. A reasonable match was
obtained for conventional tests and an EOS was used with matching the available PVT data, the swelling
& slim tube experiments from the new EOR study of three wells.
SPE-188298-MS 15
Optimized Reservoir Dynamic Model for Near Miscible of Three phase flow
I have built an optimization of three phase flow reservoir dynamic modeling for reservoir scale in
thamama (carbonate) reservoir using proper reservoir (SCAL) and fluid (PVT) properties. Several reservoir
simulations have been run to optimizate reservoir dynamic model: WAG Injection sequences, producer and
injection wells number and spacing, PVT of near miscible, SCAL and verification with well production
in early production. The highest oil recovery is achieved with optimized reservoir simulation model. It is
useful to be used properly for near miscible of three phase flow in reservoir dynamic modeling.
The result of flow functions are imported as 2D tables, with relative permeability and capillary pressure
are functions of two saturations, using the appropriate keywords of a reservoir simulator. The 2D tables
are ensured to have a realways monotonic that the relative permeability and capillary pressure values vary
smoothly. It is to minimize convergence problems during reservoir simulation.
I have used the optimized reservoir dynamic model to study the efficiency of WAG injection in reservoirs
with different wettability states. With my initial reservoir dynamic model, if the reservoir is water wet and
near miscible condition, the oil recovery can be improved by WAG injection of around 10% after 32 years
oil production. I have observed changes in incremental recovery for different of WAG sequence in the pore
network. The further evaluation will be performed with the current updated pore network results.
Figure 8.0—Remaining oil saturation of pore network model at variation wettability and near miscible of interfacial tensions
16 SPE-188298-MS
Figure 9.0—Remaining oil saturation of pore network model at variation of spreading coefficient and sequence of injection
The initial result has good comparison (validation) with EOR experiment of near miscible floods on
SCAL (IPTC-17799). The current updated pore network provides oil recovery sensitivity based on injection
and sequence types at Pore Network Simulation in water wet reservoir (Table 1.0). It has shown that near
miscible gas injection has the highest oil recovery (77% to 94%), followed by gas-water sequence injection,
gas injection, water-gas sequence injection and water injection of oil recovery.
Table 1.0—Oil Recovery Variation based on Injection and Sequence Types at Pore Network Simulation
The near miscible pore network has shown the relationship of remaining oil saturation and capillary
number (Ca), in Figure 10.0. The highest value of capillary number for near miscible condition has the
lowest oil remaining saturation. It has good relation with capillary number function, with viscousity (μ),
velocity (v) and interfacial tension near miscible (ift_nm)
(7)
SPE-188298-MS 17
Figure 10.0—Capillary Number and remaining oil saturation of pore network model
Figure 11.0—Cummulative oil production in several injections option for 32 years (in preliminary simulation)
Conclusions
In the updated research, I have combined new, physically-based, three-phase pore-network model with field-
scale reservoir simulations of WAG in carbonate reservoir and investigated the effects of different three-
phase relative permeability models on remaining oil saturation (oil recovery) for different wetting systems
and fluid properties at immiscible and near miscible condition.
Pore scale and field scale oil recovery during WAG at immiscible and near miscible condition have
been analyzed to generate the three phase relative permeability models, i used a pore-network extracted
from a pore-space reconstruction of our network model. The three-phase relative permeabilities have been
generated directly from the pore-network simulations.
In near miscible condition when the gas-oil contact angle decreases to zero at miscibility from its
immiscible value at a gas-oil IFT of a few mN/m, the increased capillary pressure gas-oil during gas injection
due to viscous force of dynamic pore network is observed. This is an important mechanism in improving oil
recovery as the sytem becomes near miscible. Pore network model showed variation of oil recovery with
variation wettability, interfacial tension, oil spreading and WAG sequence injections.
The simulations at the reservoir scale shows that the highest oil recovery for the water-wet is obtained
by injecting near miscible gas. Recovery increased by over 10% during WAG injection in agreement with
typical values on SCAL and pore network models.
The three phase PNM can be used to generate a reliable capillary pressure, relative permeability and oil
saturation of specific rock properties (such as radius pore throat). It has good validation with SCAL data. It
also can be used for sensitivity analysis of wettability and interfacial tensions.
This comprehenship approach and workflow need to be used in reservoir simulation model for getting an
appropriate relative-permeability, rock type/properties and water saturation in near miscible gas and water
alternating gas (WAG) flooding of carbonate reservoirs. Thus it can give an accurate and robust of reservoir
characterization, maximize oil recovery and proper reservoir management.
SPE-188298-MS 19
Acknowledgements
The author wishes to acknowldege ADCO/ADNOC and DO-ENOC managements for approval of this
technical paper. I would like to acknowledge Rink Van Dijke (HWU) for his guide in my Phd research.
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