State of the Art on Relative Permeability Hysteresis in Porous Media: Petroleum Engineering Application

Abstract

This paper delivers an examination of relative permeability hysteresis in porous media in the field of petroleum engineering, encompassing mathematical modeling, experimental studies, and their practical implications. It explores two-phase and three-phase models, elucidating the generation of scanning curves and their applications in various porous materials. Building on the research of traditional relative permeability hysteresis models, we have incorporated literature on forward calculations of relative permeability based on digital rock core models. This offers a new perspective for studying the hysteresis effect in relative permeability. Additionally, it compiles insights from direct relative permeability and flow-through experiments, accentuating the methodologies and key findings. With a focus on enhanced oil recovery (EOR), carbon capture, utilization and sequestration (CCUS), and hydrogen storage applications, the paper identifies existing research voids and proposes avenues for future inquiry, laying the groundwork for advancing recovery techniques in oil and gas sectors.