Multiphase flow

Multiphase flow in heterogeneous geologic media

Prof. Stephan K. Matthai, Chair of Reservoir Engineering, The University of Melbourne at Parkville

Oct 3, 16:00 - 17:00

B5 L5 R5209

Multiphase flow heterogeneous geologic media

Heterogeneous permeability, porosity, capillary pressure, and strength are key characteristics of sedimentary and volcanic rocks in geologic reservoirs. In many cases, the heterogeneity is due to nested geological features like the mm-scale coarse-fine intercalations of cross-bedded sandstones, or the km-scale channel, levy, and overbank facies associations in a fluvial environment of deposition. Where such rocks have experienced an overprint by deformation or reactive fluid flow, initial heterogeneities might be amplified even further: fracturing can impart long-range spatial correlations on the permeability structure, strongly amplifying permeability anisotropy, even in the absence of a noticeable increase of porosity.