Multiphase Flows through Porous and Fractured Geological Media

An overview of multiphase flows in porous media and rock fractures is presented. Both computational models as well as experimental techniques for analyzing multiphase flows in geological formations are described. Particular attention was given to gas-liquid flows in subsurface environments. It is shown that the penetration of injected gas into a brine saturated porous media lead to fractal interfaces. The geological formation typically contains many fractures. The procedure for analyzing the flows in fractured rock is discussed. In particular, flows in a sandstone fracture for which a CT scan is available are presented in details. When the porous media is fractured, the simulation results shows that the bulk of the flow is transmitted through the fractures. The effect of matrix permeability on the flow is also studied and simplified models are proposed. Applications of the study to carbon sequestration and oil and gas production are also discussed.

Keywords:

Carbon dioxide sequestration , multiphase flows , flows in porous media , flows in fractured media , immiscible flows , computer model , reservoir engineering