Relative Permeability: A Critical Parameter in Numerical Simulations of Multiphase Flow in Porous Media

Nathan Moodie, William Ampomah, Wei Jia and Brian McPherson
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Nathan Moodie: Carbon Science & Engineering Research Group, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
William Ampomah: New Mexico Tech, Socorro, NM 87801, USA
Wei Jia: Carbon Science & Engineering Research Group, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
Brian McPherson: Carbon Science & Engineering Research Group, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 9, 1-14

Abstract: Effective multiphase flow and transport simulations are a critical tool for screening, selection, and operation of geological CO 2 storage sites. The relative permeability curve assumed for these simulations can introduce a large source of uncertainty. It significantly impacts forecasts of all aspects of the reservoir simulation, from CO 2 trapping efficiency and phase behavior to volumes of oil, water, and gas produced. Careful consideration must be given to this relationship, so a primary goal of this study is to evaluate the impacts on CO 2 -EOR model forecasts of a wide range of relevant relative permeability curves, from near linear to highly curved. The Farnsworth Unit (FWU) is an active CO 2 -EOR operation in the Texas Panhandle and the location of our study site. The Morrow ‘B’ Sandstone, a clastic formation composed of medium to coarse sands, is the target storage formation. Results indicate that uncertainty in the relative permeability curve can impart a significant impact on model predictions. Therefore, selecting an appropriate relative permeability curve for the reservoir of interest is critical for CO 2 -EOR model design. If measured laboratory relative permeability data are not available, it must be considered as a significant source of uncertainty.

Keywords: relative permeability; geologic carbon storage; multi-phase flow simulation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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