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Co-history Matching: A Way Forward for Estimating Representative Saturation Functions

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Abstract

Core-scale experiments and analyses would often lead to estimation of saturation functions (relative permeability and capillary pressure). However, despite previous attempts on developing analytical and numerical methods, the estimated flow functions may not be representative of coreflood experiments when it comes to predicting similar experiments due to non-uniqueness issues of inverse problems. In this work, a novel approach was developed for estimation of relative permeability and capillary pressure simultaneously using the results of “multiple” corefloods together, which is called “co-history matching.” To examine this methodology, a synthetic (numerical) model was considered using core properties obtained from pore network model. The outcome was satisfactorily similar to original saturation functions. Also, two real coreflood experiments were performed where water at high and low rates were injected under reservoir conditions (live fluid systems) using a carbonate reservoir core. The results indicated that the profiles of oil recovery and differential pressure (dP) would be significantly affected by injection rate scenarios in non-water wet systems. The outcome of co-history matching could indicate that, one set of relative permeability and capillary pressure curves can reproduce the experimental data for all corefloods.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Saudi Aramco for technical and financial support provided to this project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Enhanced Oil Recovery and CO2 Solutions, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, UK

    Pedram Mahzari, Ali AlMesmari & Mehran Sohrabi

  2. Department of Earth Sciences, University College London, London, UK

    Pedram Mahzari

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  1. Pedram Mahzari
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  2. Ali AlMesmari
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  3. Mehran Sohrabi
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Correspondence to Pedram Mahzari.

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Mahzari, P., AlMesmari, A. & Sohrabi, M. Co-history Matching: A Way Forward for Estimating Representative Saturation Functions. Transp Porous Med 125, 483–501 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11242-018-1129-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11242-018-1129-8

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