Abstract
A network model is established through the techniques of image reconstruction, a thinning algorithm, and pore–throat information extraction with the aid of an industrial microfocus CT scanning system. In order to characterize actual rock pore–throat structure, the established model is modified according to the matching of experimental factors such as porosity, permeability, and the relative permeability curve. On this basis, the impacts of wetting angle, pore radius, shape factor, pore–throat ratio, and coordination number as applied to microscopic remaining oil distribution after water flooding are discussed. For a partially wetting condition, the displacement result of a water-wet pore is somewhat better than that of an oil-wet pore as a whole, and the possibility of any remaining oil is relatively low. Taking the comprehensive effects of various factors into account, a prediction method of remaining oil distribution is presented through the use of fuzzy comprehensive evaluation. It is seen that this method can predict whether there is remaining oil or not in the pore space with satisfactory accuracy, which is above 75%. This method thus provides guidance for a better understanding of the microscopic causes of the remaining oil.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Adler P.M., Thovert J.F.: Real porous media: local geometry and macroscopic properties. Appl. Mech. Rev. 51(9), 537–585 (1998)
Arns C.H., Knackstedt M.A., Pinczewski W.V., Martys N.S.: Virtual permeametry on microtomographic images. J. Pet. Sci. Eng. 45(1–2), 41–46 (2004)
Bakke S., Øren P.E.: 3-D pore-scale modeling of sandstones and flow simulations in the pore networks. SPE J. 2(2), 136–149 (1997)
Blunt M.J., Jackson M.D., Piri M., Valvatne P.H.: Detailed physics, predictive capabilities and macroscopic consequences for pore-network models of multiphase flow. Adv. Water Resour. 25(8-12), 1069–1089 (2002)
Bryant S.L., Mellor D.W., Cade C.A.: Physically representative network models of transport in porous-media. AIChE J. 39(3), 387–396 (1993)
Cannella, W.J., Huh, C., Seright, S.R.: Prediction of xanthan rheology in porous media. SPE 18089. SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Houston, Texas, 2–5 October (1988)
Dias M., Payatakes A.: Network models for two-phase flow in porous media, part 1. Immiscible microdisplacement of non-wetting fluids. J. Fluid Mech. 164, 305–336 (1986)
Fatt I.: The network model of porous media: I. Capillary pressure characteristics. Trans. AIME 207(1), 144–159 (1956)
Gao X., Yu X., Li S., Wang Q., Liang W.: Forecast of remaining oil distribution by using neural network technology. Acta Pet. Sin. 26(3), 60–63 (in Chinese) (2005)
Hazlett R.D.: Simulation of capillary-dominated displacements in microtomographic images of reservoir rocks. Transp. Porous Media 20(1–2), 21–35 (1995)
Hou J.: Network modeling of residual oil displacement after polymer flooding. J. Pet. Sci. Eng. 59(3-4), 321–332 (2007)
Hou J., Li Z., Zhang S., Cao X., Song X., Gao D.: Experiment and simulation study on construction of three-dimensional network model. Sci. China (Ser G) 51(11), 1761–1774 (2008)
Hou J., Li Z., Zhang S., Cao X., Du Q., Song X.: Computerized tomography study of the microscopic flow mechanism of polymer flooding. Transp. Porous Media 79(3), 407–418 (2009)
Jackson M.D., Valvatne P.H., Blunt M.J.: Prediction of wettability variation and its impact on flow using pore- to reservoir-scale simulations. J. Pet. Sci. Eng. 39(3–4), 231–246 (2003)
Jin, G., Patzek, T.W., Silin, D.B.: Physics-based reconstruction of sedimentary rocks. SPE 83587. Proceedings of the SPE Western Regional/AAPG Pacific Section Joint Meeting, Long Beach, California, 19–24 May (2003)
Lenormand R., Zarcone C., Sarr A.: Mechanism of the displacement of one fluid by another in a network of capillary ducts. J. Fluid Mech. 135, 337–353 (1983)
Li Z., Hou J., Cao X., Chen Y., Song X., Wang K.: Simulation for influence of microscopic reservoir parameters on remaining oil distribution. Acta Pet. Sin. 26(6), 69–73 (in Chinese) (2005)
Liang Z.R., Fernandes C.P., Magnani F.S., Philippi P.C.: A reconstruction technique for three-dimensional porous media using image analysis and Fourier transforms. J. Pet. Sci. Eng. 21(3-4), 273–283 (1998)
Lorensen W.E., Cline H.E.: Marching cubes: a high resolution 3D surface construction algorithm. Comput. Graph. 21(4), 163–169 (1987)
Mason G., Morrow N.R.: Capillary behavior of a perfectly wetting liquid in irregular triangular tubes. J. Colloid Interface Sci. 141(1), 262–274 (1991)
Okabe H., Blunt M.J.: Prediction of permeability for porous media reconstructed using multiple-point statistics. Phys. Rev. E 70, 066135 (2004)
Øren P.E., Bakke S.: Reconstruction of Berea sandstone and pore-scale modeling of wettability effects. J. Pet. Sci. Eng. 39(3-4), 177–199 (2003)
Perrin C.L., Tardy P.M.J., Sorbie K.S., Crawshaw J.C.: Experimental and modeling study of Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluid flow in pore network micromodels. J. Colloid Interface Sci. 295(2), 542–550 (2005)
Rigby S.P., Gladden L.F.: NMR and fractal modelling studies of transport in porous media. Chem. Eng. Sci. 51(10), 2263–2272 (1996)
Saaty T.L.: The Analytic Hierarchy Process. McGraw Hill, New York (1980)
Siqueira, A.G., Bonet,E.J., Shecaira, F.S.: A 3D network model of rock permeability impairment due to suspended particles in injection water. SPE82232. SPE European Formation Damage Conference. The Hague, The Netherlands, 13–14 May (2003)
Song K., Wu Y., Ji B.: A \({\varphi}\) -function method for estimating distribution of residual oil saturation in water drive reservoir. Acta Pet. Sin. 27(3), 91–95 (in Chinese) (2006)
Sorbie K.S., Clifford P.J., Jones E.R.W.: The rheology of pseudoplastic fluids in porous media using network modeling. J. Colloid Interface Sci. 130(2), 508–534 (1989)
Suicmez V.S., Piri M., Blunt M.J.: Effects of wettability and pore-level displacement on hydrocarbon trapping. Adv. Water Resour. 31(3), 503–512 (2008)
Tripathi, I.: Pore structure and wettability. PhD. Thesis, University of Houston (2009)
Wilkinson D., Willemsen J.F.: Invasion percolation: a new form of percolation theory. J. Phys. A 16, 3365–3376 (1983)
Zhang Y., Zou S., Su F.: The Method of Fuzzy Mathematics and Application. Coal Industry Press, Beijing (in Chinese) (1992)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hou, J., Zhang, S., Zhang, Y. et al. Prediction of Microscopic Remaining Oil Distribution Using Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation. Transp Porous Med 89, 533–545 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11242-011-9784-z
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11242-011-9784-z