Three-Phase Flow in Water-Wet Porous Media: Determination of Gas/Oil Relative Permeabilities Under Various Spreading Conditions

Abstract This paper aims at studying the impact of the spreading power (which rules the ability of the oil phase to spread on water in presence of gas) on three-phase gas/oil relative permeabilities and residual oil saturation. Relative permeabilities have been determined by the steady-state method for both increasing and decreasing gas saturation as well as by analyzing unsteady-state displacements. These experimental relative permeabilities are finally compared together and to theoretical curves derived from an analytical model. The differences observed between the relative permeabilities, and the effect of the spreading power on them as well as on the residual oil saturation are explained by pore scale mechanisms.