The influence of unavoidable saturation averaging on the experimental measurement of dynamic capillary effects: A numerical simulation study

Many studies over the past four decades have observed that capillary pressure–saturation (P_c–S_w) relationships are often different when measured dynamically under rapidly changing pressure inputs. This phenomenon has been referred to as a dynamic capillary effect, and its magnitude is often quantified by the dynamic capillary coefficient, τ. Experimentally-reported values of τ have varied by orders of magnitude, even for seemingly similar experimental systems. The purpose of the present work is to numerically explore the likely impact of fluid properties on the calculation of τ from experimental measurements. Specifically, the emphasis is on understanding how spatial averaging of the saturation profiles resulting from different fluid combinations contributes to the apparent magnitude of τ derived from experimental measurements.Simulations of dynamic drainage in a packed sand column were conducted using the CompSim multiphase flow simulator. Four nonwetting phase fluids with viscosities spanning four orders of magnitude were studied. Comparison between local and spatially-averaged rates of saturation change show significant differences, with the magnitude of the difference increasing with increasing viscosity to interfacial tension ratio and increasing drainage rate. Results show that at averaging scales likely to be experienced during experimental saturation measurements, this effect is likely to produce significant differences in the ultimate magnitude of the calculated τ values for different fluid systems and drainage rates. This result means that conventional flow phenomena may produce an inherent systematic bias in experimental measurements of τ, amplifying measured values for high viscosity or low interfacial tension systems and for experiments where higher drainage rates are used.     

油藏条件下孔隙岩样毛管和电学性质研究

本文系统总结了国内外关于油藏条件下岩石物理基础实验研究的成果、现状及发展方向。油藏条件主要是指油藏实际的温度、压力、毛管及电性平衡、饱和顺序和润湿性质等。实验研究及现场资料均表明，油藏条件和地面实际室条件下饱和流体孔隙岩样毛管及电学性质有很大差惜同藏条件下毛管及电学性质实际研究对准确评价油气储量及促进岩石物理学基础理论发展具有重要意义。     

Solution of dynamic Green׳s function for unsaturated soil under internal excitation

The closed form three-dimensional Green׳s function of a semi-infinite unsaturated poroelastic medium subjected to an arbitrary internal harmonic loading is derived, with consideration of capillary pressure and dynamic shear modulus varying with saturation. By applying the Fourier expansion techniques and Hankel integral transforms to the circumferential and radial coordinates, respectively, the general solution for the governing partial differential equations is obtained in the transformed domain. A corresponding boundary value problem is formulated. The integral solutions for the induced displacements, pore pressure and net stress are then determined considering the continuity conditions. The formulas are compared with the degenerated solution of saturated soils and confirmed. Numerical results reveal that the response of the unsaturated half-space depends significantly on the saturation by altering dynamic shear modulus to account for the effects of matric suction on soil stiffness. Slight differences between the results occur if only the saturation is taken into account. Moreover, a large source-depth results in a pronounced contribution to the reduction of surface displacement amplitudes. The analytical solutions concluded in the study offer a broader application to dynamic response associated with axi-symmetric and asymmetric conditions.     

Dimensional analysis of two-phase flow including a rate-dependent capillary pressure–saturation relationship

The macroscopic modelling of two-phase flow processes in subsurface hydrosystems or industrial applications on the Darcy scale usually requires a constitutive relationship between capillary pressure and saturation, the P_c(S_w) relationship. Traditionally, it is assumed that a unique relation between P_c and S_w exists independently of the flow conditions as long as hysteretic effects can be neglected. Recently, this assumption has been questioned and alternative formulations have been suggested. For example, the extended P_c(S_w) relationship by Hassanizadeh and Gray [Hassanizadeh SM, Gray WG. Mechanics and thermodynamics of multiphase flow in porous media including interphase boundaries. Adv Water Resources 1990;13(4):169–86] proposes that the difference between the phase pressures to the equilibrium capillary pressure is a linear function of the rate of change of saturation, thereby introducing a constant of proportionality, the coefficient τ. It is desirable to identify cases where the extended relationship needs to be considered. Consequently, a dimensional analysis is performed on the basis of the two-phase balance equations. In addition to the well-known capillary and gravitational number, the dimensional analysis yields a new dimensionless number. The dynamic number Dy quantifies the ratio of dynamic capillary to viscous forces. Relating the dynamic to the capillary as well as the gravitational number gives the new numbers DyC and DyG, respectively. For given sets of fluid and porous medium parameters, the dimensionless numbers Dy and DyC are interpreted as functions of the characteristic length and flow velocity. The simulation of an imbibition process provides insight into the interpretation of the characteristic length scale. The most promising choice for this length scale seems to be the front width. We conclude that consideration of the extended P_c(S_w) relationship may be important for porous media with high permeability, small entry pressure and high coefficient τ when systems with a small characteristic length (e.g. steep front) and small characteristic time scale are under investigation.     

Continuum percolation theory for pressure–saturation characteristics of fractal soils: extension to non-equilibrium

Systematic experimental deviations from theoretical predictions derived for water retention characteristics of fractal porous media have previously been interpreted in terms of continuum percolation theory (at low moisture contents, below the critical volume fraction of water, α_c capillary flow ceases). In other work, continuum percolation theory was applied to find the hydraulic conductivity as a function of saturation for saturations high enough to guarantee percolation of capillary flow. Now these two problems are further linked, using percolation theory to estimate non-equilibrium water retention at matric potential values such that the equilibrium water content is too low for percolation of capillary flow paths. In particular, a procedure for developing a time-dependent moisture content is developed for experimental time scales long enough that film flow can provide an alternate mechanism for equilibrating when continuous capillary flow is not possible. The time scales are defined in terms of moisture-dependent length scales and film flow and capillary flow hydraulic conductivities. Imbibition is treated in the extreme case of no film-flow contribution to equilibration. In another application at higher matric potentials, recursive relations are derived for the water content of porous media during drying when external pressures are changed at rates too rapid for equilibrium to be attained by capillary flow.     

Capillary pressure for the sand–CO2–water system under various pressure conditions. Application to CO2 sequestration

Accurate modeling of storage of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in heterogeneous aquifers requires experiments of the capillary pressure as function of temperature and pressure. We present a method with which static drainage and imbibition capillary pressures can be measured continuously as a function of saturation at various temperature (T) and pressure (P) conditions. The measurements are carried out at (T, P) conditions of practical interest. Static conditions can be assumed as small injection rates are applied. The capillary pressure curves are obtained for the unconsolidated sand–distilled water–CO₂ system. The experimental results show a decrease of drainage and imbibition capillary pressure for increasing CO₂ pressures and pronounced dissolution rate effects for gaseous CO₂. Significant capillary pressure fluctuations and negative values during imbibition are observed at near critical conditions. The measurement procedure is validated by a numerical model that simulates the experiments.     

On estimating the hydraulic properties of soil,Part 3. Parameters of the Philip infiltration equation

Using a large number of experimental data, the paper estimates the parameters of the Philip infiltration equation. The values of these parameters are obtained using the Philip approach, which employs the hydraulic properties of soil. In the absence of extensive measurements, the tabulated results can be used in modelling infiltration. The paper introduces approximate sorptivity expressions that use a limited number of parameters. Sorptivity may be estimated reasonably well from a knowledge of moisture deficit, a representative capillary pressure, and saturated hydraulic conductivity. The accuracy of prediction is highest for coarser materials. For coarse materials (sands), second-power sorptivity can be approximated as a linear function of initial effective saturation. The proposed expressions for sorptivity can be used as a substitute for the lengthy Philip procedure.     

Drainage in finite-sized unsaturated zones

After the initiation of gravity drainage, water is often assumed to be either (a) draining under unit gradient, or (b) at capillary/gravity equilibrium. Both of these simplifications can be useful, but the regimes of validity of each assumption must be delineated. Water pressures are measured versus time and distance as water drains out of a 1.6 m long sand column to determine the relative effects of capillary and gravitational forces during drainage. For medium sized sands (0.15–0.3 mm in diameter), the capillary pressure is constant in space in a large region of the column for over 12 days, and the water continues to flow under unit gradient for relatively long time scales. Similar results are seen for finer sands, but with a much faster approach to equilibrium. Numerical simulations and analytical estimates are presented and compare favorably to the measurements. Together, the experimental, theoretical and analytical results are used to calculate when capillary/gravity equilibrium is reached as a function of porous media properties and length of the unsaturated zone. The ratio of the length of the unsaturated zone to the bubbling pressure is a key parameter in determining the drainage regime, and that even for relatively short unsaturated zones the equilibrium time scale can be on the order of years.     

Seismic behavior of an inverted T-shape flexible retaining wall via dynamic centrifuge tests

In the design procedure for a retaining wall, the pseudo-static method has been widely used and dynamic earth pressure is calculated by the Mononobe–Okabe method, which is an extension of Coulomb’s earth pressure theory computed by force equilibrium. However, there is no clear empirical basis for treating the seismic force as a static force, and recent experimental research has shown that the Mononobe–Okabe method is quite conservative, and there exists a discrepancy between the assumed conditions and real seismic behavior during an earthquake. Two dynamic centrifuge tests were designed and conducted to reexamine the Mononobe–Okabe method and to evaluate the seismic lateral earth pressure on an inverted T-shape flexible retaining wall with a dry medium sand backfill. Results from two sets of dynamic centrifuge experiments show that inertial force has a significant impact on the seismic behavior on the flexible retaining wall. The dynamic earth pressure at the time of maximum moment during the earthquake was not synchronized and almost zero. The relationship between the back-calculated dynamic earth pressure coefficient at the time of maximum dynamic wall moment and the peak ground acceleration obtained from the wall base peak ground acceleration indicates that the seismic earth pressure on flexible cantilever retaining walls can be neglected at accelerations below 0.4 g. These results suggest that a wall designed with a static factor of safety should be able to resist seismic loads up to 0.3–0.4 g.     

岩石电学性质实验研究方向展望

分析了岩心电性实验的内涵,介绍了油藏条件下岩石电学性质的研究现状以及对岩心电性实验方法的冲击.结合目前对不同地层特性岩石的电学性质的认识,就复杂储层评价的岩心电性实验方法、岩心电性实验技术装备、岩心电性实验技术规范化、岩心数值实验方法等方面对岩心电性实验的研究方向做了展望,认为：①岩心电性实验方法应立足于储层岩石的岩性、物性、孔隙结构、非均质性等地层特性;②系统地模拟和控制储层的温度、压力、润湿性条件、毛管与电性平衡等油藏条件,并使各种相关技术规范化,是其发展的必然趋势;③岩心数值实验方法可能作为实验室岩心电性实验的辅助手段之一在储层含油性评价中发挥作用.     

Establishment and application of logging saturation interpretation equation in vuggy reservoirs

Vuggy reservoirs are the most common, albeit important heterogeneous carbonate reservoirs in China. However, saturation calculations using logging data are not well developed, whereas Archie method is more common. In this study, electrical conduction in a vuggy reservoir is theoretically analyzed to establish a new saturation equation for vuggy reservoirs. We found that vugs have a greater effect on saturation than resistivity, which causes inflection in the rock-electricity curve. Using single-variable experiments, we evaluated the effects of vug size, vug number, and vug distribution on the rock-electricity relation. Based on the general saturation model, a saturation equation for vuggy reservoirs is derived, and the physical significance of the equation parameters is discussed based on the seepage-electricity similarity. The equation parameters depend on the pore structure, and vugs and matrix pore size distribution. Furthermore, a method for calculating the equation parameters is proposed, which uses nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data to calculate the capillary pressure curve. Field application of the proposed equation and parameter derivation method shows good match between calculated and experimental results, with an average absolute error of 5.8%.     

含气饱和度对纵波首波速度、振幅及主频影响的实验结果

虽然人们早已在声波测井中观察到天然气层的时差曲线有“周波跳跃”现象,并且,利用时差在气层增大和幅度在气层衰减的特点来勘探天然气的工作也有了报道,但含气饱和度S_g和声速V,特别是和振幅A、主频F（本文中均指纵波首波）之间究竟有什么联系,却一直是有待解决的问题。 通过对人工岩芯及井下取芯的测试,我们首次发现:1.纵波首波的振幅对气层最敏     

Thermodynamics and constitutive theory for multiphase porous-media flow considering internal geometric constraints

This paper provides the thermodynamic approach and constitutive theory for closure of the conservation equations for multiphase flow in porous media. The starting point for the analysis is the balance equations of mass, momentum, and energy for two fluid phases, a solid phase, the interfaces between the phases and the common lines where interfaces meet. These equations have been derived at the macroscale, a scale on the order of tens of pore diameters. Additionally, the entropy inequality for the multiphase system at this scale is utilized. The internal energy at the macroscale is postulated to depend thermodynamically on the extensive properties of the system. This energy is then decomposed to provide energy forms for each of the system components. To obtain constitutive information from the entropy inequality, information about the mechanical behavior of the internal geometric structure of the phase distributions must be known. This information is obtained from averaging theorems, thermodynamic analysis, and from linearization of the entropy inequality at near equilibrium conditions. The final forms of the equations developed show that capillary pressure is a function of interphase area per unit volume as well as saturation. The standard equations used to model multiphase flow are found to be very restricted forms of the general equations, and the assumptions that are needed for these equations to hold are identified.     

Numerical modeling of two-phase flow in heterogeneous permeable media with different capillarity pressures

Contrast in capillary pressure of heterogeneous permeable media can have a significant effect on the flow path in two-phase immiscible flow. Very little work has appeared on the subject of capillary heterogeneity despite the fact that in certain cases it may be as important as permeability heterogeneity. The discontinuity in saturation as a result of capillary continuity, and in some cases capillary discontinuity may arise from contrast in capillary pressure functions in heterogeneous permeable media leading to complications in numerical modeling. There are also other challenges for accurate numerical modeling due to distorted unstructured grids because of the grid orientation and numerical dispersion effects. Limited attempts have been made in the literature to assess the accuracy of fluid flow modeling in heterogeneous permeable media with capillarity heterogeneity. The basic mixed finite element (MFE) framework is a superior method for accurate flux calculation in heterogeneous media in comparison to the conventional finite difference and finite volume approaches. However, a deficiency in the MFE from the direct use of fractional flow formulation has been recognized lately in application to flow in permeable media with capillary heterogeneity. In this work, we propose a new consistent formulation in 3D in which the total velocity is expressed in terms of the wetting-phase potential gradient and the capillary potential gradient. In our formulation, the coefficient of the wetting potential gradient is in terms of the total mobility which is smoother than the wetting mobility. We combine the MFE and discontinuous Galerkin (DG) methods to solve the pressure equation and the saturation equation, respectively. Our numerical model is verified with 1D analytical solutions in homogeneous and heterogeneous media. We also present 2D examples to demonstrate the significance of capillary heterogeneity in flow, and a 3D example to demonstrate the negligible effect of distorted meshes on the numerical solution in our proposed algorithm.     

Numerical solution of two-phase flow for the advection-dominated and non-linear case

This work presents a highly efficient numerical scheme for solving immiscible, advection-dominated two-phase flow in heterogeneous porous media. The pressure equation is decoupled from the saturation equation using an IMPES approach, while the advective terms are decoupled from the capillary diffusive terms in the saturation equation through sequential operator splitting. The parabolic and hyperbolic equations are approximated in time by implicit and explicit schemes, respectively. Damped Newton linearization is applied to the implicit non-linear diffusive step. Mixed hybrid finite elements are applied to the global pressure equation and to the regularized capillary diffusion term. For both linear systems arising from the approximation procedure, an AMG preconditioned conjugate gradient solver is used. A finite volume scheme with slope limiter is applied to the advective step. Numerical comparison with standard preconditioners demonstrates the reliability of the proposed AMG-preconditioner. Benchmark examples illustrate the robustness of the method.     

A constitutive model for water flow in unsaturated fractured rocks

A conceptual model for describing effective saturation in fractured hard rock is presented. The fracture network and the rock matrix are considered as an equivalent continuum medium where each fracture is conceptualized as a porous medium of granular structure and the rock matrix is assumed to be impermeable. The proposed model is based on the representation of a rough‐walled fracture by an equivalent porous medium, which is described using classical constitutive models. A simple closed‐form equation for the effective saturation is obtained when the van Genuchten model is used to describe saturation inside fractures and fractal laws are assumed for both aperture and number of fractures. The relative hydraulic conductivity for the fractured rock is predicted from a simple relation derived by Liu and Bodvarsson. The proposed constitutive model contains three independent parameters, which may be obtained by fitting the proposed effective saturation curve to experimental data. Two of the model parameters have physical meaning and can be identified with the reciprocal of the air entry pressure values in the fractures of minimum and maximum apertures. Effective saturation and relative hydraulic conductivity curves match fairly well the simulated constitutive relations obtained by Liu and Bodvarsson. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Motional modes of dilatational waves in elastic porous media containing two immiscible fluids

Numerical simulations of dilatational waves in an elastic porous medium containing two immiscible viscous compressible fluids indicate that three types of wave occur, but the modes of dilatory motion corresponding to the three waves remain uncharacterized as functions of relative saturation. In the present paper, we address this problem by deriving normal coordinates for the three dilatational waves based on the general poroelasticity equations of Lo et al. 2005 [13]. The normal coordinates provide a theoretical foundation with which to characterize the motional modes in terms of six connecting coefficients that depend in a well defined way on inertial drag, viscous drag, and elasticity properties. Using numerical calculations of the connecting coefficients in the seismic frequency range for an unconsolidated sand containing water and air as a representative example relevant to hydrologic applications, we confirm that the dilatational wave whose speed is greatest corresponds to the motional mode in which the solid framework and the two pore fluids always move in phase, regardless of water saturation, in agreement with the classic Biot theory of the fast compressional wave in a water-saturated porous medium. For the wave which propagates second fastest, we show, apparently for the first time, that the solid framework moves in phase with water, but out of phase with air [Mode (III)], if the water saturation is below about 0.8, whereas the solid framework moves out of phase with both pore fluids [Mode (IV)] above this water saturation. The transition from Mode (III) to Mode (IV) corresponds to that between the capillarity-dominated region of the water retention curve and the region reflecting air-entry conditions near full water saturation. The second of the two modes corresponds exactly to the slow compressional wave in classic Biot theory, whereas the first mode is possible only in a two-fluid system undergoing capillary pressure fluctuations. For the wave which has the smallest speed, the dilatational mode is dominated by the motions of the two pore fluids, which are always out of phase, a result that is consistent with the proposition that this wave is caused by capillary pressure fluctuations.     

Drop shape and erosivity part I: Experimental set up,theory, and measurements of drop shape

Simulated raindrops falling in still air have a shape that is mainly determined by surface tension and hydrostatic pressure. Drops released from capillary tips show an initial shape variation ranging from prolate to oblate but eventually this oscillation is damped. At terminal velocity drops have attained equilibrium and have an oblate shape. Measurements of the shape of simulated rain drops produced by capillary tubes were made using a simple, newly-developed photographic set up. The measurements showed that models describing the oscillation frequency and amplitude of drops falling at terminal velocity can also be applied to the simulated drops. A comparison is made between the shape of raindrops in natural storms and simulated drops. Recommendations are given regarding fall heights in simulation in relation to the drop shape in nature.     

The effect of microporosity on transport properties in porous media

Sizeable amounts of connected microporosity with various origins can have a profound effect on important petrophysical properties of a porous medium such as (absolute/relative) permeability and capillary pressure relationships. We construct pore-throat networks that incorporate both intergranular porosity and microporosity. The latter originates from two separate mechanisms: partial dissolution of grains and pore fillings (e.g. clay). We then use the reconstructed network models to estimate the medium flow properties. In this work, we develop unique network construction algorithms and simulate capillary pressure–saturation and relative permeability–saturation curves for cases with inhomogeneous distributions of pores and micropores. Furthermore, we provide a modeling framework for variable amounts of cement and connectivity of the intergranular porosity and quantifying the conditions under which microporosity dominates transport properties. In the extreme case of a disconnected inter-granular network due to cementation a range of saturations within which neither fluid phase is capable of flowing emerges. To our knowledge, this is the first flexible pore scale model, from first principles, to successfully approach this behavior observed in tight reservoirs.