Journal of Canadian Petroleum Technology, Vol.47, No.7, 26-32, 2008
Investigations of interfacial coupling phenomena and its impact on recovery factor
Interfacial coupling phenomena in multiphase flow through porous media and its impact on the recovery factor have been of interest for sometime, especially in the SAGD process and in fractured reservoirs. In this study, a numerical simulator that takes into account inlet end effects was developed to solve the modified transport equations proposed by Bentsen((1,2)), Ayub and Bentsed((3)), Ayub((4)) and Ayodele((5)) to account for interfacial coupling phenomena and hydrodynamic effects. Moreover, the simulator was validated using experimental data. Finally, sensitivity analysis studies were carried out with the simulator to show the effect of interfacial coupling phenomena on the recovery factor.