Abstract
Capillary effects of three-phase systems (oil, gas and connate water) in porous media have been investigated. More specifically, the interest was focussed on the differences in behaviour of three-phase systems with and without surface-active components present. Gravity-drainage experiments were carried out in vertical, cylindrical sand columns. The resulting production rates and saturation profiles were measured. A different production behaviour and saturation distribution was observed depending on the oil used. In particular a more or less constant “residual” oil saturation is observed when surface-active components are present. This observation in combination with numerical calculations indicates an absence of a capillary endzone. A force-balance approach was used to study the capillary endzone in three-phase systems (oil, water and gas). An ambiguity with respect to the choice of an adequate contact angle, which may occur in such systems, was resolved. It is shown that the wettability in three-phase systems is particularly sensitive to the presence of surface-active components.
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