PERM Inc.

Get Started

Effect of Pore Geometry on Capillary Pressure

Leading Innovation in Oil & Gas Research and Development

Fundamentals of Fluid Flow in Porous Media

 

Chapter 2

Multi-phase Saturated Rock Properties:

Effect of Pore Geometry on Capillary Pressure

Capillary pressure is affected by the geometry of a given porous medium.  The following section discusses the effects of flow into and out of a constriction.

In the case of fluid flowing into a constriction (Figure 2‑53), pressure is needed to force the non-wetting phase into the constriction and the wetting phase out of the constriction. According to the figure:
Pressure required to force non-wetting phase into constriction and wetting phase out of the constriction

The equation for capillary pressure then becomes:
Capillary Pressure Equation with Pressure needed to force non-wetting phase into constriction and wetting phase out of constriction

Where, R decreases from left to right (in the direction of flow) resulting in an increased Pc, allowing the meniscus to move from left to right into the constriction.

Flow Into a Constriction (Cone)
Figure 2-53: Flow Into a Constriction (Cone)

Figure 2‑54 shows an example of a fluid flowing out of a constriction, Pc decreases with position as meniscus moves from left to right in the direction shown in this figure. According to the figure:
Capillary Pressure Equation for Constriction

The equation for capillary pressure becomes:
Capillary Pressure Equation with Constriction

In order to change the position of the meniscus Pnw, Pw or R may be altered (all other parameters are fixed).

Flow Out of a Constriction
Figure 2-54: Flow Out of a Constriction

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible” margin_top=”25″ margin_bottom=”” background_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0)”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_separator /]

[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ last=”no”]

<< CAPILLARY PRESSURE VS WETTING PHASE SATURATION

[/fusion_builder_column]
[fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ last=”yes”]

DOMINANCE OF CAPILLARY FORCES OVER VISCOUS FORCES >>

[/fusion_builder_column]
[fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_separator top=”35″/]

References

[/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][1]

Questions?

If you have any questions at all, please feel free to ask PERM!  We are here to help the community.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]