Fluid Imbibition Research Articles

Imbibition mechanism of water in illite nanopores of deep shales by molecular simulation

Hydraulic fracturing is an important technique to develop deep shale gas. After hydraulic fracturing, a large amount of fracturing fluid fails to flow back and retains in deep shales. This phenomenon leads to fracturing fluid imbibition and significantly impacts on gas production. However, the understanding of imbibition mechanism in deep shales is very limited. In this work, the microscopic mechanism of fracturing fluid imbibition into illite pores of deep shales was studied using molecular simulation. The factors affecting imbibition were also analyzed. Results show that water imbibition in illite pores can be divided into three stages. In stage 1, the hydrogen bonds between water molecules and illite pore walls are formed, which forces water to enter the pores and becomes a water layer. In stage 2, the hydrogen bonds between water molecules and the water layer are formed, and gas begins to be displaced out of the pores by water. In stage 3, water molecules no longer enter the pores, and the system becomes equilibrium. As for the influencing factors, fugacity pressure mainly affects the imbibition time. The imbibition time becomes longer when fugacity pressure rises. Pore size plays a significant role in imbibition. Gas in illite pores can be totally displaced if the pore size is smaller than 5 nm. The imbibition is also affected by the amount of water. More gas tends to be displaced out of the pores when the ratio of water volume to pore volume (RWP) increases.

Study on Variability Production Characteristics of Fracturing Fluid Imbibition Displacement for Typical Shale

Abstract CO2 injection is a prominent measurement to enhance the recovery of shale reservoirs. The imbibition of fracturing fluid + CO2 additive is considered important for promoting the enhancement and stabilization of shale oil production to ensure energy supply. The imbibition experiments of fracturing fluid + CO2 additive were carried out in shale reservoirs with a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) test. The imbibition displacement characteristics at different pore scales of shale were quantitatively evaluated. The variability of the imbibition effects in shale reservoirs was clarified in terms of shale type, fracturing fluid type, and CO2 additive (pressure). This finding indicates that the effectiveness of the fracturing fluid + CO2 additive imbibition on shale reservoirs is stronger, and the imbibition displacement efficiency ranges from 33.38 % to 41.56 %. The imbibition contribution rate is considerably higher for small pores than for large pores, and the difference between them is more than 10%. Therefore, the imbibition of fracturing fluid + CO2 additive mainly extracted crude oil from the small pores of shale reservoirs. CNI nano variable-viscous slippery water is more effective for imbibition displacement in laminar type shale. For laminated type shale, EM30+ + guanidine gum mixed water has a better imbibition effect than CNI nano variable-viscous slippery water. Under 16 MPa CO2 + fracturing fluid (miscible states), the imbibition displacement efficiency of the shale is significantly enhanced. The imbibition displacement degree at different pore scales is also increased. For different types of shale reservoirs, the imbibition displacement degree at different pore scales would be improved by methods, including the optimization of the fracturing fluid or the change of imbibition conditions. This study presents a theoretical underpinning for the high-efficiency exploitation in shale reservoirs.

Yield-stress effects on spontaneous imbibition in paper-based kits

The classic Richards equation is a good model for predicting imbibition of viscous fluids in porous materials such as dry soils or filter papers. It cannot, in principle, be used for physiological fluids such as blood simply because such fluids often exhibit a variety of non-Newtonian behavior such as a yield stress. In the present work, we have theoretically extended the classic Richards equation to viscoplastic fluids obeying the Bingham model using the concept of the effective viscosity together with the bundle-of-tube model. The new imbibition model could partly resolve the discrepancy reported in the literature between the predictions of the classic Richards equation for the stain growth of sessile blood droplets in a typical filter paper. A better fit, however, requires considering other non-Newtonian effects of the blood such as its viscoelasticity. Using the Bingham-modified Richards equation, it is demonstrated that yield stress in a test fluid has a retarding effect on the imbibition phenomenon, so that such fluids may not necessarily reach the test line of a paper-based diagnostic kit. But yield stress is predicted to extend the duration of the quasi-steady regime on the test line of diagnostic kits, which is a desirable effect. The results suggest that inducing (or elevating) the level of yield stress in a test liquid such as blood can be used as a passive means to control imbibition characteristics in paper-based systems.

Experimental study on microscopic production characteristics and influencing factors during dynamic imbibition of shale reservoir with online NMR and fractal theory

Dynamic imbibition and displacement between the matrix and fractures in shale reservoirs can significantly enhance oil recovery (EOR) following initial depletion. However, the microscopic production characteristics and seepage mechanisms at different pore scales during the dynamic imbibition process remain incompletely understood. In this study, we established an online physical simulation experiment method that combines dynamic displacement and imbibition based on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and fractal theory, and a series of online NMR water flooding dynamic imbibition experiments were conducted. Through real-time dynamic monitoring of multiphase flow and migration behavior of crude oil in each stage of dynamic imbibition, the microscopic production characteristics and influencing factors were quantitatively studied from the recovery and residual oil saturation field distribution of different scale pores. Additionally, we developed a novel two-dimensional (2-D) NMR interpretation model to investigate the dynamic development characteristics of shale oil injection-imbibition-soaking-production integration, and the multiphase and multi-scale dynamic imbibition crude oil migration models were discussed. The results show that shale oil occurrence pores can be categorized into two types based on the corresponding production mode (imbibition + displacement). The water flooding dynamic imbibition process in shale reservoirs unfolds in three stages: strong displacement and weak imbibition stage characterized by the rapid production of large pores and fractures under displacement action; weak displacement and strong imbibition stage involving the slow production of small pores under reverse imbibition; and dynamic equilibrium stage characterized by weak displacement and weak imbibition. When viewing the entire water flooding dynamic imbibition process as an organism, it becomes imperative to maximize the recovery of large pores while ensuring the recovery degree of small pores. High permeability contributes to better pore throat connectivity and a greater imbibition and displacement production degree. The contribution of the.two production modes to the recovery of small and large pores increased by 4.67 % and 3.17 %, respectively. A negative correlation was observed between high displacement pressure and imbibition recovery, yet it is conducive to the contribution of displacement to total recovery. Notably, fractures can effectively reduce oil-water seepage resistance, and increase the contribution of displacement to recovery by 21.65 %. Finally.a positive correlation was noted between increased imbibition amount and free oil recovery, while residual oil gradually shifted towards adsorbed and organic matter-dominated forms, leading to decreased recoverability. Effectively utilizing the bridge flow conductivity of fractures, fluid imbibition displacement, and carrying effect is crucial for achieving optimal EOR. The findings provide theoretical support for clarifying the interaction between matrix-fracture imbibition and displacement and for the efficient development of shale oil.

Prediction of the Optimal Post-Fracturing Soaking Time in Multifractured Shale Gas/Oil Formations on the Basis of Modeling of Fluid Imbibition

Summary Post-fracturing fluid soaking is believed to significantly affect productivity of hydraulic-fractured horizontal wells in the oil and gas industry. It is highly desirable to know the optimal soaking time period to maximize well productivity. An analytical model was developed in this research to describe the dynamic spontaneous imbibition process in shale cracks owing to fluid soaking. The model was integrated with pressure falloff data to develop a mathematical approach for forecasting the optimal soaking time, which is defined as the time it takes for the fluid to reach the midpoint between two adjacent hydraulic fractures. The optimal soaking time depends on crack and fluid properties, including crack width, fluid contact angle, and interfacial tension (IFT). A case study from the data of Tuscaloosa Marine Shale (TMS) suggests that the optimal soaking time is 2–4 weeks if the fracturing spacing is 4–6 m. This work provides petroleum engineers with a quick-and-easy method for predicting the optimal soaking time to maximize their well productivity.

Fluid Spontaneous Imbibition Under the Influence of Osmotic Pressure in Deep Coalbed Methane Reservoir in the Ordos Basin, China

Summary The flowback rate of a hydraulic fracturing fluid is related to coalbed methane (CBM) production in gas wells. The deep (>2000 m) CBM reservoir in the Ordos Basin has an extremely high salinity (>200 000 mg/L), which results in a very low flowback rate of fracturing fluid. The mechanism underlying the extremely low flowback rate of the fracturing fluid remains unclear. This study experimentally simulated two patterns of osmotic pressure variation that exist at a hydraulic fracturing site: the processes of injection of a low-salinity fracturing fluid into a high-salinity reservoir and a high-salinity fracturing fluid into a low-salinity reservoir. Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technology was used to monitor dynamic fluid migration and fluid distribution in the coals. Results showed that osmotic pressure is a driving force for spontaneous imbibition when the salinity of the fracturing fluid is lower than that of the reservoir water, and more fluid enters the coal as the osmotic pressure increases. This causes the displacement of the high-salinity fluid already present in the micropores by the low-salinity fracturing fluid. In high-salinity deep coal seams, both osmotic pressure and capillary forces cause the spontaneous imbibition of the fracturing fluid from fractures into pores, promoting CH4 desorption, alleviating the water-blocking effect, and enhancing the filtration loss of the fracturing fluid. In contrast, the injection of a high-salinity fluid into the reservoir with a low-salinity brine (LSB) creates an osmotic pressure difference that prevents fluid imbibition. In shallow, low-salinity coal seams, the injection of high-salinity fracturing fluids can result in high flowback rates. Therefore, these two injection schemes are significant for an understanding of the role of osmotic pressure in deep CBM extraction and serve as valuable guides for optimizing the selection of the fracturing fluid and improving its effective flowback.

A critique on “Modeling the spontaneous imbibition of non-Newtonian fluids into the fractal porous media of tight reservoirs”

In February 2022, this journal published the paper “Modeling the spontaneous imbibition of non-Newtonian fluids into the fractal porous media of tight reservoirs” (Zhu et al., 2022), which develops and validates an analytical model for the capillary absorption of (non-)Newtonian liquids in sandstone, founded on a fractal-based bundle-of-tubes model. This critique – a post-publication review – expresses concerns on that model development and validation. It is shown that agreement between calculated and measured absorbed moisture masses and moisture front heights is only attained with two strongly distinct sets of material and fluid properties, a dichotomy that is however not disclosed in the paper. It is moreover revealed that the input material and fluid properties and the output absorbed moisture masses and moisture front heights often defy physical plausibility. Detailed scrutiny of the mathematical model complementarily exposes concrete defects in the calculation of the ‘sample’ cross-section. It is displayed that this cross-section calculation is exclusively governed by the material properties, implying that the measured cross-section can (almost) never be equated. It is furthermore established that the cross-section calculation assumes the equality of the areal and volumetric porosity, which is incorrect for a bundle-of-tubes with tortuous capillaries. Additionally it is demonstrated that the cross-section calculation merges two conflicting relations between the porosity and the fractal properties. All these concerns bring about doubts concerning the reliability of (Zhu et al., 2022)'s model development and validation, and the authors are hence invited to placate these concerns in their reply.

Microscopic characteristics of tight sandstone reservoirs and their effects on the imbibition efficiency of fracturing fluids: A case study of the Linxing area, Ordos Basin

The Linxing area within the Ordos Basin exhibits pronounced reservoir heterogeneity and intricate micro-pore structures, rendering it susceptible to water-blocking damage during imbibition extraction. This study delved into the traits of tight sandstone reservoirs in the 8th member of the Shihezi Formation (also referred to as the He 8 Member) in the study area, as well as their effects on fracturing fluid imbibition. Utilizing experimental techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), high-pressure mercury intrusion (HPMI), and gas adsorption, this study elucidated the reservoir characteristics and examined the factors affecting the imbibition through imbibition experiments. The findings reveal that: ① The reservoir, with average porosity of 8.40% and average permeability of 0.642 × 10−3 μm2, consists principally of quartz, feldspar, and lithic fragments, with feldspathic litharenite serving as the primary rock type and illite as the chief clay mineral; ② Nano-scale micro-pores and throats dominate the reservoir, with dissolution pores and intercrystalline pores serving as predominant pore types, exhibiting relatively high pore connectivity; ③ Imbibition efficiency is influenced by petrophysical properties, clay mineral content, and microscopic pore structure. Due to the heterogeneity of the tight sandstone reservoir, microscopic factors have a more significant impact on the imbibition efficiency of fracturing fluids; ④ A comparative analysis shows that average pore size correlates most strongly with imbibition efficiency, followed by petrophysical properties and clay mineral content. In contrast, the pore type has minimal impact. Micropores are vital in the imbibition process, while meso-pores and macro-pores offer primary spaces for imbibition. This study offers theoretical insights and guidance for enhancing the post-fracturing production of tight sandstone reservoirs by examining the effects of these factors on the imbibition efficiency of fracturing fluids in tight sandstones.

Challenges in mathematical modeling of dynamic mass transfer controlled by capillary and viscous forces in spontaneous fluid imbibition processes

Challenges in mathematical modeling of dynamic mass transfer controlled by capillary and viscous forces in spontaneous fluid imbibition processes

Capillary imbibition of shear-thinning fluids: From Lucas-Washburn to oscillatory regimes

Capillary imbibition of shear-thinning fluids: From Lucas-Washburn to oscillatory regimes

Measuring pore water velocities and dynamic contact angles at unstable wetting fronts

The imbibition of fluids in porous media has been studied widely. Still, processes of preferential flow under gravity due to instability at the wetting front, crucial in groundwater contamination, have yet to be fully understood. Recent theories using dynamic contact angles could describe unstable flow phenomena but have not been proven experimentally. Therefore, infiltration experiments in small sand-filled chambers were conducted to explore the effect of dynamic contact angles. A high-speed camera recorded pore invasion at the unstable imbibition liquid front. A tensiometer recorded the matric potential. The results show that water moved in milliseconds through a small pore at the wetting front, followed by a stationary period. The maximum observed pore water velocity was 25 cm/s, exceeding the saturated hydraulic conductivity by three orders of magnitude. The relationship between dynamic contact angle and water velocity found by Hoffman in glass tubes could describe which was observed in soils.

Investigating the Influencing Factors of Imbibition of Fracturing Fluids in Tight Reservoirs

Tight reservoirs are the focus of unconventional oil and gas resource development, but most tight reservoirs exhibit complex pore structures, strong non-homogeneity, and limited water drive development. Fracturing fluid imbibition is a critically important way to improve the recovery of tight reservoirs. In this paper, an NMR experimental device was used to conduct imbibition experiments in tight reservoirs, and the relationship between temperature, pressure, matrix permeability, and imbibition recovery was investigated. Based on the fracturing fluid imbibition recovery curve, the imbibition process is divided into the fast imbibition stage, slow imbibition stage, and imbibition equilibrium. In addition, based on the pore structure division, the recovery changes of each pore under different experimental conditions were quantitatively analyzed. The results indicate that the highest imbibition recovery is achieved at an experimental pressure of 5 MPa within the range of 0 MPa to 15 MPa. Increasing the experimental pressure can increase the imbibition rate but will not increase imbibition recovery. Within the investigated range in this paper, fracturing fluid imbibition increases with rising temperature and matrix permeability. Moreover, the recovery of each pore gradually increases with the experimental pressure ranging from 0 MPa to 5 MPa. The recovery of each pore is positively correlated with matrix permeability and temperature. During the experiment, micropores contributed the most to the recovery, while macropores contributed the least. The study in this paper guides the efficient development of tight reservoirs.

A new interacting capillary bundle model on the multiphase flow in micropores of tight rocks

Surfactants are widely used in the fracturing fluid to enhance the imbibition and thus the oil recovery rate. However, current numerical models cannot capture the physics behind capillary imbibition during the wettability alteration by surfactants. Although the interacting capillary bundle (ICB) model shows potential in characterizing imbibition rates in different pores during wettability alteration, the existing ICB models neglect the influence of wettability and viscosity ratio on the imbibition behavior, making it difficult to accurately describe the oil–water imbibition behavior within the porous media. In this work, a new ICB mathematical model is established by introducing pressure balance without assuming the position of the leading front to comprehensively describe the imbibition behavior in a porous medium under different conditions, including gas–liquid spontaneous imbibition and oil–water imbibition. When the pore size distribution of a tight rock is known, this new model can predict the changes of water saturation during the displacement process in the tight rock, and also determine the imbibition rate in pores of different sizes. The water saturation profiles obtained from the new model are validated against the waterflooding simulation results from the CMG, while the imbibition rates calculated by the model are validated against the experimental observations of gas–liquid spontaneous imbibition. The good match above indicates the newly proposed model can show the water saturation profile at a macroscopic scale while capture the underlying physics of the multiphase flow in a porous medium at a microscopic scale. Simulation results obtained from this model indicate that both wettability and viscosity ratio can affect the sequence of fluid imbibition into pores of different sizes during the multiphase flow, where less-viscous wetting fluid is preferentially imbibed into larger pores while more-viscous wetting fluid tends to be imbibed into smaller pores. Furthermore, this model provides an avenue to calculate the imbibition rate in pores of different sizes during wettability alteration and capture the non-Darcy effect in micro- and nano-scale pores.

Insights into CO2 huff-n-puff mechanisms from laboratory experiment and single-well pilot test in the Lucaogou tight oil reservoir, Jimsar sag, China

CO2 huff-n-puff has been accepted as an effective technique to improve oil recovery in tight oil reservoirs. Even though CO2 EOR mechanisms were extensively investigated from laboratory experiments, the links of experimental results to field-scale performance have not been widely investigated as few pilot tests were conducted. In this study, laboratory experiments and CO2-huff-n-puff pilot test were performed. First, phase behaviors of the Lucaogou crude oil and oil-CO2 mixtures were investigated via Pressure-Volume-Temperature (PVT) tests including flash evaporation, constant composition extension (CCE), and CO2 injection and slim tube tests, respectively. Experimental results showed that due to the higher concentration of the intermediate components, the saturation pressure of the Lucaogou crude oil is 6.18 MPa, which is much smaller than the initial and current formation pressures. The oil viscosity decreased from 24.8 mPa s to 3.0 mPa s and swelling factor increased to 1.848 after about 85 mol% CO2 dissolved. Moreover, slim tube test showed the minimum miscible pressure of the Lucaogou crude oil is 24.28 MPa, which is smaller than the current formation pressure, indicating multi-contact miscibility could be reached easily. Second, fracturing fluid imbibition and CO2 huff-n-puff experiments were carried out to evaluate the performance of CO2 EOR after fracturing. The oil recovery factor increased after imbibition time and the number of huff-n-puff cycles, and was impacted by petrophysical properties, like porosity and pore structure. In addition, performance of CO2 huff-n-puff pilot test in the J30 well was reported. Approximately 1.9% of original oil in place was recovered after one huff-n-puff cycle, showing a significant potential of CO2 EOR in the Lucaogou tight formation. Analysis of oil production rate, composition and density of produced oil shows the dominant EOR mechanisms in the early production stage were miscibility and CO2 vaporization, then viscosity reduction. Findings from this study will provide insights on CO2 EOR in tight oil reservoirs.

Experimental study on countercurrent imbibition in tight oil reservoirs using nuclear magnetic resonance and AFM: Influence of liquid–liquid/solid interface characteristics

Countercurrent imbibition of the fracturing fluid is of much significance for enhancing oil production in tight oil reservoirs during the shut-in period after hydraulic fracturing. The addition of enhanced imbibition agents such as surfactants and nanoparticles into the polymer-based fracturing fluid is conducive to oil production. How different types of imbibition agents affect oil recovery and the applicable conditions for different imbibition agents, however, still need to be clarified. In this article, we used low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to measure the one-dimensional (1D) oil signal profiles along the imbibition direction during the countercurrent imbibition process and determine the imbibition distance and water saturation of different imbibition agents including polymer, surfactant, nano-silica (NS) and NS-surfactant complexes. Moreover, by measuring oil–water interfacial tension (IFT), and the adhesion forces between alkanes and the hydrophobic surfaces before/after the imbibition agent treatments by atomic force microscope (AFM), the IFT reduction and wettability alteration abilities of these agents were evaluated. After the NS-surfactant complexes treatment, the adhesion force which represents the force required to pull off oil from the rock surface became the lowest (15.81 pN), merely a quarter of that of NS (73.48 pN) and surfactant (70.01 pN), indicating a superior capability of NS-surfactant to improve wettability. The imbibition efficiency of the four systems in terms of imbibition distance and oil recovery was: NS-surfactant complexes: 38.43 mm 13.2 % > nonionic surfactant: 32.15 mm 9.0 % > NS: 25.88 mm 7.6 % > polymer: 17.64 mm 4.9 %. NS-surfactant nanofluid displayed the longest imbibition distance and highest water saturation, thus possessing the highest imbibition oil recovery. Nonionic surfactant with an IFT of 4.19 mN/m could greatly reduce the IFT compared with NS (35.98 mN/m), but the recovery enhancement induced by IFT reduction was not significant. In contrast, the increase in oil recovery by wettability alteration was distinctly higher than that by IFT reduction, as indicated by the recovery difference between NS-surfactant complexes and surfactant. Accordingly, wettability alteration is the primary mechanism to enhance imbibition oil recovery when ultralow IFT cannot be achieved. This research provides guidance on which type of imbibition agent should be selected to improve imbibition efficiency.

Effects of Fracturing Fluids Imbibition on CBM Recovery: In Terms of Methane Desorption and Diffusion

Summary Hydraulic fracturing technology has been widely used to improve the productivity of the coalbed methane (CBM) reservoir, during which tons of fracturing fluids infiltrate the coal seam. However, the effects of fracturing fluids imbibition on CBM recovery are still unclear. In this study, spontaneous and forced water imbibition experiments in methane-bearing low-volatile bituminous (LVB) coal were conducted at various gas adsorption equilibrium pressures, following which methane desorption and diffusion experiments were performed. These experiments simulated the complete process of fracturing fluid imbibition during well shut-in and subsequent methane production upon reopening, which is helpful in understanding the impact of fracturing fluid imbibition on CBM production. The results show that water imbibition displaces adsorbed methane in the coal matrix, and with reservoir pressure increasing, the displaced effect decreases. Furthermore, the forced imbibition (FI) displaces less methane than the spontaneous imbibition (SI) due to water rapidly filling fractures and blocking methane migration out of the matrix in the FI. In the initial stages of gas production following spontaneous or forced water imbibition, the displaced methane diffuses out of the coal at a rapid rate and then slows down. Furthermore, in the case of FI, a significant amount of residual gas remains after desorption and diffusion due to the water blocking effect. However, the water blocking effect has a minimal impact on coal undergoing SI. In terms of desorption and diffusion, this study provides a comprehensive understanding of the effects of fracturing fluids imbibition on recovery of CBM, which is useful for practical shut-in operations following hydraulic fracturing in LVB coal seams.

Insights into in-situ imbibition behavior of fracturing fluid in propped shale fractures based on nuclear magnetic resonance: A case study from Longmaxi Formation shale, Sichuan Basin, China

Shale gas is an important component of unconventional oil and gas resources. Studying the imbibition behavior is helpful to optimize flowback parameters and enhance gas recovery. Recent imbibition studies have focused on shale matrix, and the pressure conditions discussed were mostly atmospheric. The initial imbibition behavior begins from propped fractures to matrix, but there are few studies working on explaining the imbibition behavior in propped fractures or the phenomenon of many shale wells exhibit higher productivity after a “soaking” period. Therefore, propped fracture samples were designed for imbibition and migration experiments. In order to accurately study the mechanism and main influencing factors of fracturing fluid imbibition and migration in propped and unpropped shale fractures under high temperature and high pressure, a series of experiments based on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) were carried out. Results showed that NMR T2 spectra of all samples exhibited a bimodal distribution. The final imbibition volume of fracturing fluid was positively related to pressure and fracture width. The imbibition effect of fracturing fluid was more evident in matrix pores under high pressure. In the migration during soaking stage, the fracturing fluid gradually migrated from large pores to small pores and gradually displaced the shale gas from the matrix, thus allowing the water blocking in propped fractures to self-unlock to some extent. Gas permeability decreased in the imbibition stage, while it recovered in the migration stage to some extent.

Nuclear magnetic resonance study on imbibition and stress sensitivity of lamellar shale oil reservoir

The imbibition phenomenon widely exists in the fracturing and production process of shale oil and gas. It is of great scientific and engineering significance to elaborate the mechanism of infiltration and its influencing factors. In this paper, the impact of imbibition fluid types is investigated, and the influence mechanism of fluid imbibition on matrix-bedding permeability is clarified. Results shown that (a). The total porosity of 18 # core under saturated formation water condition is 8.75%. The porosity of movable fluid is 7.36%. The total porosity under saturated strong acid is 9.74%. (b) The total porosity of shale under saturated formation water condition of 6–4 # core is 4.03%. The porosity of movable fluid is 3.73%. The total porosity under the condition of maximum damage of alkaline fluid is 3.47%. (c) Slick water has no effect on the total porosity of shale in the study area. The total porosity of 8 # core under saturated formation water is 3.19%. The porosity of movable fluid is 2.57%.

Fracturing fluid imbibition impact on gas-water two phase flow in shale fracture-matrix system

A large amount of fracturing fluid in hydraulic fracturing is imbibed into the shale fracture/matrix, which leads to significant uncertainty in gas recovery evaluation. The mechanism of imbibition impact on the gas–water flow is not well understood. In this study, systematic comparative experiments are carried out to simulate imbibition in fractured shale samples obtained from the Wufeng-Longmaxi shale reservoirs in China, and the imbibition effect in the fracture–matrix system is qualitatively and quantitatively investigated. Nine cores are collected to measure their porosity and permeability using a helium porosimeter and nitrogen pulse–decay tests. Gas/liquid single-phase flow experiments are then carried out using methane and KCl solution, respectively. Subsequently, dynamic imbibition experiments are carried out on three samples in a visual cell. The gas–water interfacial tension, water imbibition amount, and displacement velocity are recorded. A single-phase gas/liquid flow test shows a high linear correlation between the fluid displacement velocity and pressure gradient in the fractured samples as the fracture is the main flow channel, dominantly determining the flow behavior. Moreover, the capillary force was introduced in the cross-flow term of the triple-medium model to characterize the imbibition effect, and a two-phase flow simulation model considering the fracturing fluid imbibition retention was developed, and the two-phase flow behavior by considering the imbibition effect of the fracturing fluid retention in the shale gas reservoir was analyzed. Valuable experiment data in this work are provided, which can be used to validate analytical equations for gas/water flow in the shale fracture–matrix system.

Immiscible imbibition in fractured media: A dual-porosity microfluidics study

We use dual porosity microfluidics and fluorescence microscopy to investigate immiscible imbibition in the pore networks formed in fractured rocks, and to identify emergent pore-scale events that arise as a result of the interplay between advection-dominant flow in fractures (F) and capillary-driven matrix imbibition (M). The dimensionless ratio between the two time scales T = tF/tM defines the various displacement patterns: fracture-dominant advective invasion at low Τ-values leaves a higher residual non-wetting phase saturation; compact invasion is observed at intermediate T-values, and fractures act as capillary barriers during matrix-dominant capillary imbibition at high Τ-values. Experiments and analyses show effective capillary-driven corner flow during immiscible imbibition; in particular, corner flow imbibition displaces non-wetting fluids that were initially trapped in the matrix during fast advective invasion. In contrast to wetting fluid invasion and imbibition, injected non-wetting fluids invade and flow along fractures as soon as the capillary pressure reaches the fracture entry pressure, and there is no matrix invasion and drainage. The capillary pressure versus saturation curve for the fractured rock mass assumes that fractures and matrix blocks share the same capillary pressure at equilibrium; then, the combined pressure-saturation response is a function of their relative contributions to the total porosity. In the absence of gouge or precipitates, fractures determine the entry pressure while the matrix controls storativity.