3.

3 3 3 Capillary pressure of reservoir rocks

1 Rise of fluid in Capillaries 2 Additional pressure of arbitrary curvature (Laplace equation )and its application 3 Capillary Pressure effect in Porous Media p y 4 Capillary Pressure Hysteresis 5 measurement of Capillary Pressure 6 Application of Capillary Pressure

1 Rise of fluid in Capillaries

1) Capillary pressure of gas-liquid system
If a Capillary tube is placed in a large open vessel continuing liquid , liquid will rise in the tube above the height of the liquid in the large vessel vessel. g This rise in height is duo to the attractive force (adhesion tension) between the tube and the li id d the th liquid and th small weight ll i ht of the column of liquid in the tube.
Fig.3 20 Fig 3-20 Pressure relations in Capillary tube

Capillary pressure:

2 cos pc = r
Definition: The pressure difference between p
non-wet phase and wet phase is called capillary p pressure. expressed by Pc. the direction was wet phase to non wet phase. non-wet phase

2) Capillary p ) p y pressure in oil-water system y

2 cos pc = r

2 wo coswo h= rg(w 0 ) g
Fig.3-21 Pressure relations in Capillary tube

3)Property of capillary pressure A. The capillary pressure exists in capillary

tube laid t b l id up i any di in direction ti

Fig.3-22 displacement of oil by water in Horizontal capillary

3)Property of capillary pressure

B.PC is proportional to cos, and inverse

proportional to r;

Figure 7.8 Capillary rise experiments for two porous media of different grain sizes.

3)Property of capillary pressure

3)Property of capillary pressure

C. C if rock surface is water-wet , capillary pressure

is driving force of displacing oil by water;

D.If rock surface is oil-wet , capillary pressure

is resistance of displacing oil by water;

F.If rock surface is water-wet, water can ,

automatically enter rock ; but if rock surface is oil wet , water can not automatically enter oil-wet rock .

4) Some definitions

Drainage (:A process displacing the

wetting phase from a porous medium with a nonnon wetting phase is known as drainage.

ImbibitionA process displacing

the non-wetting phase from a porous medium with a wetting phase is known as imbibition imbibition.

Question: Why does the oil-water contact is a transitional zone?

2. Additional pressure of arbitrary curvature

1) Derived equation (
Laplace

equation can be derived by considering the mechanical equilibrium of the interface. work done in expanding the surface, by increasing the pressure on the convex side is the side, work against the surface tension.
The

p2

D'

AB BC fA' B 'C ' D ' = AB + dR BC + dR R1 R2 1 1 = AB BC 1 + dR + dR R R2 ' 1 C

C
R2

D
dR
A'

AB 1 = R1

p1 R1

'

BC 2 = R2
pc = p1 p 2

1 2

W = p fABCD dR = AB BC p dR

Z = W

fABCD = AB BC

1 1 pC = p = + R R 1 2

2) Equation simplification in Several special cases i l A. A the interface lies on a sphere

R1 = R2 = R
r R= cos

Fig.24 Fig 24 the relationship between the capillary radius and the curvature radius

2 cos Pc = r

B. If curved surface is cylindrical surface

R1 = , R2 = r
1 1 Pc = ( + ) = = R1 R2 R2 r

c. Capillary pressure in conical capillary p yp p y

R1=r1/COS(+) R2=r2/COS(-) so:

2 cos( ) pci = ri

D. capillary p p y pressure in cracks

R2 =

W /2 cos = R1

2 cos pc = = R1 W

F. The capillary pressure in packing of uniform

spheres h

1 1 pC = + R R 1 2
1 1 1 = + Rm R1 R2

pc =

Rm

3 capillary effect in capillary tube

1) When the droplet (or bubble) is at the static state The capillary pressure of spherical interface

2 2 cos p = = R r
' c

The capillary pressure of cylindrical interface

'' cz

The Th capillary pressure effect : ill ff t

2 cos 2 (cos 0.5) p = = r r r

2) when the droplet moves in a capillary tube of constant diameter

2 2 '' p = ' p = '' R R

'

1 1 2 '' ' pC = p p = 2 '' + ' = (cos cos ) R R r

'' '

3) )

When the droplet passes through p p g a throat of a pore

1 1 p C = 2 '' ' R R

Jamin Effect: J i Eff t

When the droplet flow in a nonuniform pore to a capillary tube of decreasing size ,a higher pressure drop is required to move the drop into the constriction constriction.

1 1 p C = 2 '' ' R R

4 Capillary Pressure Hysteresis

1) Capillary Pressure Hysteresis by Contact angle hysteresis

Fig.3-51 contact angle hysteresis

2) Capillary Pressure Hysteresis by the ) p y y y sudden change in diameter

Fig3-52. the change in diameter

3) Capillary Pressure Hysteresis by the ) p y y y gradual change in diameter

2 cos( + ) pP = rp
2 cos( ) pt = rt

4) capillary hysteresis in actual rock

Visual advancing angle: Visual receding angle:

A = 1 + R = 2

displacement:

2 cosR 2 cos(2 ) pdr = = rt rt

imbibition :

2 cos A 2 cos(1 + ) piim = = rP rP

5 Measurement of Capillary Pressure Curve

Semi-permeable Disk Method Mercury injection method Centrifuge method The dynamic capillary-pressure method The evaporation method

Definition : Capillary Pressure curve: The relationship

p yp curve between capillary pressure of reservoir rock and the wetting- phase saturation is called Capillary Pressure curve curve.

Pc P = f( ) (s

1) Semipermeable Disk Method

A. Normal pressure Semipermeable Disk Method

non-wetting phase is air wetting phase is water

the maximum capillary pressure is about 1atm

1) Semipermeable Disk Method

The bottom of the vessel consists of a semipermeable plate, which allows the wetting phase displaced from the sample to pass through while blocking the passage of the non wetting phase non-wetting

1) Semipermeable Disk Method

VP VW = Sw = VP

Principle and step of measurement:

placing the sample, initially saturated with a wetting fluid, in a vessel filled with the non-wetting fluid. With the sample on the porous plate, the pressure of the non-wetting fluid is increased in steps and the system is allowed to achieve equilibrium after each pressure change. g phase displaced at each p The volume of wetting p pressure is measured. The wetting phase saturation of the sample is determined from the volume of wetting phase displaced at each pressure to obtain the capillary pressure versus saturation relationship.

 Determination data record

 typical curve
Pc
% 20 16 12 8 4

Fig.-1 capillary pressure curve

Sw (%)

4.2

18

27 r,

54

Fig. -2 pore size distribution curve

%

Fig.-3 pore volume accumulate distribution curve

1) Semipermeable Disk Method A. High pressure Semipermeable Disk Method

 placing th sample, i iti ll saturated with a l i the l initially t t d ith wetting fluid, in a vessel filled with the non-wetting fluid. fl id With the sample on the porous plate, the pressure of the non-wetting fluid is increased in steps and the system is allowed to achieve equilibrium after each pressure change. g phase displaced at each p The volume of wetting p pressure is measured. The wetting phase saturation of the sample is determined from the volume of wetting phase displaced at each pressure to obtain the capillary pressure versus saturation relationship.

Principle and step of measurement:

Advantage of the porous plate method: This method use oil and water ,therefore more , nearly approaching actual wetting conditions. The method gives a reliable estimate of the irreducible wetting phase saturation. Disadvantage: The porous plate limits the maximum capillary pressure to about 200 psi. It takes too long to obtain the entire capillary pressure curve b thi method. by this th d

2) Mercury injection method

Principle and step of measurement:

non-wetting phase mercury; wetting phase air The core is placed in file sample chamber of the mercury injection equipment The sample chamber is evacuated, and incremental quantities of mercury are injected while the pressure required for injection of each increment is recorded recorded.

Principle of measurement: p
1

1 Nitrogen pressure; 2 pressure gauge; 3 mercury i j ti pump; 4 sample cell; injection l ll 5 vacuum system

Figure 7 43 Mercury air capillary pressure curves 7.43. Mercury-air

Advantage of mercury injection method :

The mercury injection method is very fast fast. The range of pressure is large.

Disadvantage of mercury injection method :

Core can no longer be used for other tests after mercury injection. The method also cannot be used to determine the irreducible wetting phase saturation. mercury vapor is toxic, so strict safety precautions must be followed when using mercury mercury.

3) Centrifuge method
Measuring Principle and step:

th sample saturated with a wetting fl id i placed the l t t d ith tti fluid is l d in a centrifuge cup containing the non-wetting fluid The sample is rotated at a series of constant angular velocities and the amount of wetting fluid displaced at equilibrium at each velocity is measured This process is continued until no more fluid when the rotational velocity is increased.

3) the centrifuge method ) g

F = mw r
2

1 2 2 2 Pc = w ( r2 r1 ) 2

Advantage of Centrifuge method :

The centrifuge method is fast The method is good for determining the irreducible water saturation. It can simulate the process of water or gas displace oil .it is a promising method it method.

Disadvantage:.
inability to obtain spontaneous imbibition capillary p p y pressure curve. the calculated water saturation at the core inlet is an approximation,

4) Converting the laboratory data to reservoir conditions i di i

2 L cos L pcL = r 2 R cos R pcR = r

2 L cos L r= pcL
2 R cos R r= p cR

R cos R p cR = p cL L cos L

The conversion between semi-permeable disk method and oil-water capillary pressure under reservoir conditions.

ow cos ow 25 cos 0 1 p ow = p wg = p wg = p wg wg cos wg 72 cos 0 3

5) The characteristics of capillary pressure curve

Swiirreducible saturation
of wetting fluid

Pt threshold displacement
pressure, pressure corresponds to the onset of invasion of the medium
Fig. Qualitative characteristic corresponds to the nonwetting
of capillarity pressure curve

Pc50 median pressure, p

p phase saturation of 50% .

 Mercury injection efficiency: WE = (SHgmax SHgmin) / SHgmax

WE: Mercury injection efficiency; SHgmax: maximum mercury saturation; i t ti SH i : minimum mercury saturation Hgmin The mercury injection efficiency can be regarded as the oil recovery in a strongly water-wet oil reservoir

typical capillary pressure curve

typical capillary pressure curve

(a) Well sorted sample, with medium-size pores;

(b) Nonsorted sample; (c) Well sorted sample, with large pores; (d) Well sorted sample with fine pores; sample, (e) Poorly sorted sample, with more fine pores; (f) Poorly sorted sample, with more large pores.

6 Application of Capillary Pressure curves

1) Determining rock wettability A. Determining by Wettability number

cos wo PTwo og W = = cos og PTog wo

W=1 complete wetting by water; W=0 complete wetting by oil;

B. Determining by apparent contact angle

cos wo =

PTwo og PTog wo

wo = arccos

PTwo og PTog wo

wo =00 complete wetting by water; wo

=90ocomplete wetting by oil;

C. Determining by Donaldsons method C D t i i b D ld th d

Principle of Determination
Determining by comparing the area unclosed by the curve of water displacing oil with the area unclosed the curve of oil displacing water.

C. C Determining by Donaldsons method Donaldson s

0.7 0 A1 A2

A1 log > 0 l A2 A1 log < 0 A2

100

water-wet;

Oil-wet;

-0.7 0

A1 log =0 A2

intermediate wetting

2) determining the pore size distribution ) g p of porous materials(

20 % 16 12 8 4

4.2

18

27 r,

54

2) determining the pore size distribution ) g p of porous materials( rmax= 2cos PT

rmax = 0 . 75
Rmax: the largest pore size

pT

3)Calculation of permeability from drainage capillary pressure curve

A. Calculation of absolute permeability p y B. Calculation of relative permeability

4) St d i oil recovery Studying il

S Hg max S R Ew = 100% S Hg max

5) Studying initial static fluid distribution in petroleum reservoir

5) Studying initial static fluid distribution in petroleum reservoir

the o water co tact level ( 00% water t e oil ate contact e e (100% ate
saturation lever)

PT the free water level PC=0 connate water saturation level SCW theoretical transition zone the height
between 100% water saturation lever and connate water saturation level t t t ti l l

 Sor actual transition zone the height

level of fw=100%
between level of fw 100% and connate water fw=100% saturation level

1.0 0.8 0.6 0.4 04 0.2 0 20 Pc(R) H B C 100 40 60 80 100 Sw%

Swi

20 40

60

80

To convert capillary pressure data to height b h i ht above free water surface f t f

100 PcR h= w 0
h:height above free water level ,m m PcR:capillary p p y pressure at some p particular
saturation for reservoir conditions,MPa

w,o: d i of water and oil at reservoir density f d il i

conditions of water and oilg/cm3)

Example 1:The capillary f E l 1 Th ill force curve h b has been obtained from laboratory. if the water saturation is 35%, d the 35% and th capillary pressure i 0 126MP ill is 0.126MPa, calculate the height of water saturation of 35% plane above f l b free water l t level. l

Let t reservoir conditions , L t at i diti wo = 24 mN/m, w = 1 088 g / cm3, 1.088 o = 0.848 g / cm3, at atmospheric pressure t t h i wg= 72 mN/m.

Example 2: The air water capillary pressure curve is

obtained b semi-permeable di h b i d by i bl diaphragm method i the h d in h laboratory. When the water saturation is 50%, the capillary pressure is measured to be pcL=0 06Mpa The surface tension =0.06Mpa.The of water is 72 mN/m in surface conditions. While in the reservoir conditions ,the interfacial tension between water , and oil is 24 mN/m.The water density is w = 1.088 g / cm3 and oil density is o = 0.848 g / cm3 .The altitude of free water level i -1000m.the reservoir rock i water-wet, and the t l l is 1000 th i k is t t d th contact angle between water and reservoir rock is assumed to be the same as that at surface condition. condition

Calculate:
(1)The distance of the water level where water saturation is 50% to the free water level. (2)The altitude of the water level where water saturation is 50%.

Determinating Thi k D t i ti Thickness of oil-water f il t production

Pc1

Sor P 2 h2 c
Pc2 Scw Sor

Scw P1 h1 c
H = h1 - h2

6.Averaging capillary-pressure data g g p yp

The definition of J-function :

Pc K J ( SW ) = ( ) cos

1 2

Leverett J-function suggests that porous J function

media that have the same pore structure but different permeability and porosity will have ff the same Leverett J-function.

Formula Derivation:
r= 8K K = c
1 2

2 cos r= pc
pc 2 = c cos
K
1 2

2 cos K c = pc
pc J (s w ) = cos

1 2

1 2

The characteristic of J-function :

abc de

Water-gas system in laboratory:

70mN/m,=0 70 N/ 0
core PC number (50) 1 2 3 4 3.66 3 66 2.5 1.38 1 38 0.85 K,10 3 K 10-3 m2 11.2 11 2 34.0 157 569 0.147 0 147 0.174 0.208 0 208 0.275 J(50)

pc

0.46 0 46 0.50 0.54 0 54 0.55

2
43
J

K pc J= 70 1.0

0.5

Sw %

At reservoir conditions:
R28mN/m,=0every permeability is166m2 28mN/m, 0 every average porosity is 0.208
Sw% 100 70 54 44 30 20 J(sw) 0.35 0.40 0.45 0.60 1.45 3.15 Pc(sw) 0.35 0.40 0.45 0.59 1.43 3.12

pc

pc =

J cos K
0.5

J 28 10 = 0.5 = 0.99 J 166 0.208

Sw %

7 Capillary Pressure Hysteresis

kg g/cm) Capillar Press ry sure

200 100 10 1 0.1 Idisplacement R displacement trap hysteresis Inhaledt W 80 60 40 Sor S 20 Mercury saturation (%) 0

0.001 100 Swi

1.0 0.8 0.6 0.4 04 0.2 0 20 40 60 80 100 Water saturation Sw% Pure oil producing areas() Pc(R) irreducible water saturation ) Swi H B Producing oil and water() 100producing water surfa ( (100) ) C Pure water producing areas Sw=1-Sor irreducible oil ) 60 80 100 Free water level

20 40

Water saturation %