Prediction of Wettability Variation Within an Oil/Water Transition Zone and Its Impact on Production

Abstract

We use a pore-scale network model in conjunction with conventional reservoir-scale simulations to investigate wettability variation within an oil/water transition zone. If the initial water saturation within the transition zone is controlled by primary drainage, we predict that initial production behavior is the same regardless of wettability. However, if the initial water saturation has been modified by movement of the free water level (FWL) following reservoir filling, then both the initial water saturation and production behavior are different depending upon wettability. In this case, the wettability of the reservoir may be estimated using in-situ measurements. Moreover, wettability variation may yield anomalous dry oil production from the transition zone. Over longer production timescales, wettability variation can result in high displacement efficiency during waterflooding. Assuming that the reservoir is uniformly water-wet or oil-wet, or using empirical hysteresis models, leads to a significant underestimate of recovery.