Positive Coupling Effect in Gas Condensate Flow Capillary Number Versus Weber Number

Abstract

Positive coupling effect in gas condensate reservoirs is assessed through a pure theoretical approach. A combination of linear stability analysis and long bubble approximation is applied to describe gas condensate coupled flow and relative permeability, thereof. The role of capillary number in gas condensate flow is clearly expressed through closed formula for relative permeability. While the model is intended to give a clear image of positive coupling through comprehensible fluid mechanical arguments, it predicts relative permeability values that are not too far from limited published experimental data presented in the literature. Based on the systematic deviation of the model results from experimental data, it could be expected to serve as a basis for generalized gas condensate relative permeability correlations by including inertial effects in terms of Weber number as discussed in this study. The success of this theoretical approach in describing the role of capillary number and Weber number on gas condensate relative permeability motivates further study of the underlying mechanism of flow coupling in near well-bore region of gas condensate reservoirs in the hope of pure theoretical and yet predictive equations for gas condensate relative permeability.