1. The Use of Electrical Measurements to Investigate Multiphase Flow Channeling During Reservoir Production
Stephen Moysey, Env. Eng. & Earth Sciences, Clemson University, SC, USA
A steady-state fingering pattern resulting in reduced oil recovery during waterflood.
bypassed oil
water
Flow channeling during the injection of water in reservoirs can reduce oil recovery. We are studying how electrical resistivity measurements could be used to remotely detect the onset of this behavior to allow for the adaptive management of reservoirs. We have created an apparatus that will allow us determine quantitative relationships between spatial flow patterns and electrical resistivity values.
The flow cell used in this experiment allows electrical resistivity measurements to be obtained continuously during a flow experiment while spatial flow patterns are recorded by a camera. The tank can be rotated to arbitrary angles to control the influence of gravitational forces on the flow.