Chapter 1 - Introduction

Abstract

This chapter reviews background and progress made in development and application of the theory of multiphase fluid flow in porous media. It discusses the importance of quantifying flow processes in porous and fractured reservoirs to scientific understandings and engineering applications in many fields, including petroleum engineering, groundwater and vadose zone hydrology, soil sciences, geothermal energy, subsurface contamination investigation and remediation, and resource storage or waste disposal. In addition, this chapter points out the need of further studies in the physics of complicated multiphase fluid flow in porous media, driven by recent development in several frontiers of energy and natural resources and subsurface technology. These new, rapidly emerging fields, including CO2 geosequestration in formations, unconventional petroleum resources, gas hydrates, and enhanced (or engineered) geothermal systems (EGS), are revitalizing the interest in and further driving research activities of flow and transport processes of multiphase fluids in reservoirs. Then, this chapter is concluded by introducing the contents of the remaining 11 chapters.