Non-Darcy flow in oil accumulation (oil displacing water) and relative permeability and oil saturation characteristics of low-permeability sandstones

Abstract

Hydrocarbon resources in low-permeability sandstones are very abundant and are extensively distributed. Low-permeability reservoirs show several unique characteristics, including lack of a definite trap boundary or caprock, limited buoyancy effect, complex oil-gas-water distribution, without obvious oil-gas-water interfaces, and relatively low oil (gas) saturation. Based on the simulation experiments of oil accumulation in low-permeability sandstone (oil displacing water), we study the migration and accumulation characteristics of non-Darcy oil flow, and discuss the values and influencing factors of relative permeability which is a key parameter characterizing oil migration and accumulation in low-permeability sandstone. The results indicate that: 1) Oil migration (oil displacing water) in low-permeability sandstone shows non-Darcy percolation characteristics, and there is a threshold pressure gradient during oil migration and accumulation, which has a good negative correlation with permeability and apparent fluidity; 2) With decrease of permeability and apparent fluidity and increase of fluid viscosity, the percolation curve is closer to the pressure gradient axis and the threshold pressure gradient increases. When the apparent fluidity is more than 1.0, the percolation curve shows modified Darcy flow characteristics, while when the apparent fluidity is less than 1.0, the percolation curve is a “concaveup” non-Darcy percolation curve; 3) Oil-water two-phase relative permeability is affected by core permeability, fluid viscosity, apparent fluidity, and injection drive force; 4) The oil saturation of low-permeability sandstone reservoirs is mostly within 35%–60%, and the oil saturation also has a good positive correlation with the permeability and apparent fluidity.