1st National Iranian Fractured Reservoirs Development Congress

A Mathematical Model for Determination of Fracture

Oil Saturation through Traveling Liquid Bridge
Calculation
Morteza Dejam
Mohsen Masihi

Abstract:
Naturally fractured reservoirs may have an original gas cap or a secondary gas cap that
created over the time of production. When gas-oil contact descends due to the reservoir
pressure drop, fractures are occupied by gas where matrix blocks remain saturated with oil
results in a so called gas invaded zone. Main production mechanism in this area is gravity
drainage. There are large ambiguities about the dynamic of oil depletion from matrix blocks
toward the fracture network in these reservoirs. Combination of viscous, gravity and capillary
forces causes the transport of depleted oil from the upper matrix blocks to the lower ones.
This can be imagined as traveling liquid bridges to be accompanied with some special
complexities. In this research the saturation profile obtained for an upper single block is
related to that of the lower block through a simple model. Also a simple ordinary differential
equation is derived for determination of fracture oil saturation through applying material
balance on fracture system involving gravity, matrix and fracture capillary pressures. In
addition a new approach to capillary continuity through liquid bridge volume is discussed and
the effects of spacers and the fracture roughness on this phenomenon have been accounted.
Key words:
naturally fractured reservoirs, gas invaded zone, gravity drainage mechanism, traveling
liquid bridges, capillary continuity, fracture capillary pressure, ultimate recovery.

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1. Introduction
Capillary, gravity, viscous, and diffusive forces are generally the major forces affecting the
recovery and performance of the fractured and nonfractured petroleum reservoirs. The
influence of these forces, however, is different in fractured and nonfractured reservoirs. The
contribution of these forces also depends on the type of process in a given reservoir. Capillary
and gravity usually are the major forces in fractured reservoirs, while viscous forces can be
dominant in nonfractured reservoirs. The role of gas/gas and gas/liquid diffusion could also be
more pronounced in a fractured petroleum reservoir with small matrix blocks.[1]
Free fall gravity drainage as an important multiphase recovery mechanism is based on
capillary-controlled displacement (for N ca = Fviscous Fcapillary < 10 6 ). So that the viscous
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forces are considered to be negligible and the competition between gravity and capillary
forces determines the occurrence of this mechanism.[2]
When we consider the collection of some blocks, two main block to block interaction
phenomena are distinguishable: capillary continuity and reinfiltration.
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2. Capillary Continuity
The matrix blocks are not completely separated and they have some contacts in some points
or are very close to each other. These points make oil phase continuous between the blocks by
creating so called Liquid Bridges, so the expelled oil can be discharged more easily. This
phenomenon is known as capillary continuity and has an important impact on the ultimate
recovery (Figure 1).[3]
The effect of capillary forces in a multiphase flow process in a fractured porous medium is
accounted for both matrix and fracture capillary pressures.[1] The gravity and capillary forces
(for both matrix and fracture) based on pore network modeling through a force balance
respect to a datum are related to each other for both feeding potential difference from upper
matrix block and discharging potential difference to lower matrix block. The effect of matrix
and fracture capillary pressures are distinguished in formation of traveling liquid bridge which
assumed to be the most important reason of oil transportation from upper matrix block to
lower one.
Firoozabadis model is used for determination of matrix oil saturation of a single block in gas
invaded zone of naturally fractured reservoir after any arbitrary time. This saturation that is
for upper single block is modified through a weighting factor (that is selected as a matching
parameter) for lower matrix block.
If the middle horizontal fracture between two matrix blocks is chosen as a system and by
applying the conservation law of mass, the result will be an ordinary partial differential from
which fracture oil saturation can be obtained.
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3. Capillary Continuity (Liquid Bridge) Modeling

The approach taken for modelling capillary continuity (liquid bridge) phenomenon is based
on the following assumptions:
1- Considering the liquid bridge as a control volume which is fed from upper matrix block
and discharged at lower matrix block due to the difference in flow potentials of feeding,
discharging and liquid bridge (control volume).[3]
2- The gas in the fracture can invade the control volume from both gas-oil front of liquid
bridge.[3]
3- The gas-oil fronts in the upper and lower matrix blocks are considered as feeding and
discharging points (Figure 2).
The flow potential terms for feeding, liquid bridge and discharging points (points (1), (2) and
(3)) which shown in Figure (2) are as follow:
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p =p

1
gas
cm1

1 = pgas pcm1 + og gh1

1 = p1 + og gh1

p =p

(2)

p =p

(3)

2
gas
cf
2 = p2 + og gh2

2 = pgas pcf + og gh2

3
gas
cm 2
3 = p3 + og gh3

3 = pgas pcm 2 + og gh3

where

h1 , h2

and

h3

(1)

are elevations from a datum and

pcm , pcf

are matrix and fracture

capillary pressure respectively. The flow potentials between 1-2 and 2-3 which are
feeding and discharging flow potential differences respectively are given by
Equations (4) and (5):

1 2 = feed = 1 2 = ( pgas pcm1 + og gh1 )

(4)

h1 = h1 h2
( pgas pcf + og gh2 ) = pcf + og g (h1 h2 ) pcm1

feed = pcf + og gh1 pcm1

2 3 = disch = 2 3 = ( pgas pcf + og gh2 )

(5)

h2 = h2 h3
( pgas pcm 2 + og gh3 ) = pcm 2 + og g (h2 h3 ) pcf

disch = pcm 2 + og gh2 pcf

As Equations (4) and (5) show, fracture capillary pressure,

pcf

, has positive effect of feeding

of the liquid bridge and negative effect on liquid bridge discharging and so helps the stability
of liquid bridge. On the other hand, matrix capillary pressure,

pcm , has an negative effect on

feeding and positive effect on discharging of the liquid bridge. Therefore, matrix capillary
pressure tends to destroy the liquid bridge (capillary continuity) but fracture capillary pressure
helps the liquid bridge to remain stable.[3]
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4. Matrix Capillary Pressure

Figure (3) shows typical capillary pressure-oil saturation ( S o ) curve for matrix block. As,
you can see capillary pressure increases sharply at the first from very low values to medium
values which indicates the start of oil displacement from matrix by gas. After that the slop is
small and capillary pressure increases very slowly by decreasing oil saturation of matrix block
(oil production from matrix by invading the gas) until oil saturation decreases and became
close to residual oil saturation ( Sor ). In this point capillary pressure increases sharply to very
high values which indicates the stopping of oil expelling from matrix block by gas invasion.[3]
As you see from the matrix capillary pressure curve, the period which has medium capillary
pressure for matrix and provides high probability for liquid bridge to form and grow is
intermediate period, because at very first periods, usually gas has not invaded to the middle
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horizontal fracture and in very last periods matrix capillary pressure is very high and lowers
the

feed

in Equation (4) very much.[3]

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Different approaches to matrix capillary pressure must be considered in order to find the best
method for determination of it. These methods are as follow:
(1) Correlations like Corey,,
(2) Leverett J-functions,
(3) Famous models fitting capillary pressure like shifted power,,
(4) LN- relation (proposed by Dr. Firoozabadi).

5. Gravity Forces

As you can see from Equations (4) and (5), if we determine h1 and h2 , it is possible to
calculate the gravity terms in these equations.
For simplicity, we use the following assumptions:
(1) The recovery factor calculated by matrix block average oil column height and average oil
saturation can be used to state the gravity force as a function of oil saturation.
(2) The initial oil saturations of both matrix blocks are the same.
(3) As a result of oil transfer by liquid bridge, the average oil saturation in lower matrix block
is not the same as that of upper matrix block which is corrected by a weighting factor ( w, it
is obtained from experimental data as matching parameter).
(4) The residual oil saturations of the upper and lower matrix blocks in their gas invaded parts
are not the same and must be corrected by weighting factor. The residual oil saturation can be
determined at threshold point where the gravity forces are equal to capillary forces (Figure 4).
In fact, the intercept of capillary pressure curve with matrix block oil column pressure
indicates the end point of oil recovery by free fall gravity drainage. From Figure (5) it is
evident that matrix block residual oil saturation decreases with increase in matrix block
height.[3]
(5) The upper and lower matrix block heights are equal.
(6) The gas pressure in matrix and fracture are nearly equal.
(7) The average oil saturation in upper matrix block can be calculated after arbitrary time of
displacement by Firoozabadis modelling.
(8) The front of gas/oil contact in upper and lower matrix blocks is assumed sharp.
(9) Matrix capillary pressure and relative permeability respect to oil for each value of oil
saturation of each matrix block are known using Corey correlations.[4]
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S Sor

kro = k o
1 Sor S wi
*
ro

(6)

eo

, k = 1 , eo = 3
*
ro

So Sor

pcm = p 1
1 Sor S wi
*
cm

(7)

e pc

, p = 6atm , e pc = 6
*
cm

(10) Assuming Darcys equation is applicable for calculation of feeding and discharging flow
rate.
Using above assumptions, we can relate the oil column of upper matrix block ( H o1

h1 ),

to matrix oil saturation at any time of gravity drainage mechanism by below expression:

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GasInv.
GasInv.
S Sorm

Som Sorm

G
gH

h1 H o1 = H om

feed
og

GasInv.
GasInv.
Soim Sorm
Soim Sorm

Similarly for the gas column of lower matrix block ( H

H o 2 h2 ),

(8)

it is possible to

write:

h2 H H o 2
Gdisch

GasInv.
wS om wS orm

= H 1
GasInv.
S
wS

orm

oim

(9)

GasInv.
wS om wS orm

= og gH 1
GasInv.
S
wS

orm

oim

6. Modeling and Simulation of Gravity Drainage Mechanism for a Single Block in Gas
Invaded Zone of Naturally Fractured Reservoirs
The Firoozabadis modelling, which consists of a partial differential equation (PDE) with
appropriate initial and boundary conditions, are used here for determination of average oil
saturation in upper matrix block (Figure 6).
This model is:

SoD

+
t D z D

pcog D

kro D ( z 1) = 0,
D

(10)

1) Initial condition:

t D = 0 SoD = 1,

(11)

2) Boundary conditions:[5]
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zD = 0

pcog D
z D

(12)

= 1,

z D = 1 pcog D = 0.

(13)

A Sample run of this program, written by Visual C#.NET, is shown in Figure (7). Parameters
that must be known as Input data and the out put graphs (dimensionless height (RF) versus
dimensionless oil saturation, dimensionless relative oil permeability versus dimensionless oil
saturation, dimensionless oil saturation versus dimensionless time and dimensionless oil
velocity at the end of single block versus dimensionless time) are demonstrated there.

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7. Fracture Capillary pressure

The fracture capillary pressure has investigated by a few authors, however a useful model has
been presented by Dr. Firoozabadi which states that fracture capillary pressure is a function
of oil saturation in the fracture. Usually the residual oil saturation in fracture is assumed to be
zero in this correlation.[6]
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S Sorf
pcf = f ( So ) = pcf0 f ln of

1 Sorf
pcf = f ( So ) = pcf0 f (ln Sof ) 2

nf

(14

orf = 0
, pcf pcf0 , n f = 2 S

8. Conservation Law of Mass

If we apply conservation law of mass for the amount of oil mass which is fed to the fracture
(as a system) and the amount of oil mass which is discharged at the lower block, it is possible
to determine the accumulation of oil which forms liquid bridge between matrix blocks. Oil
flow rate of feeding or discharging can be obtained from following equations respectively:

q feed =

kkro1 A feed kkro1 A ( pcf + og gh1 pcm1 )

=
=
h1
h1
o
o

(15)

0
2
kkro1 A [ pcf f (ln Sof ) + og gh1 pcm1 ]
=
h1
o
0

kkro1 A ( pcf pcm1 )

+ og g f (ln Sof ) 2

h1
h1
o

qdisch =

kkro 2 A disch kkro 2 A ( pcm 2 + og gh2 pcf )

=
=
h2
o
o
h2

0
2
kkro 2 A [ pcm 2 + og gh2 pcf + f (ln Sof ) ]
=
h2
o
0

kkro 2 A ( pcm 2 pcf )

+ og g + f (ln Sof ) 2

h2
h2
o

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1st National Iranian Fractured Reservoirs Development Congress

Writing material balance for middle horizontal fracture as a system:

(q feed qdisch ) o = bAo

dSof
dt

kkro1 ( pcf pcm1 )

+ og g f (ln Sof ) 2

h1
h1
ob

0
dS

kkro 2 ( pcm 2 pcf )

+ og g + f (ln Sof ) 2 = of

h2
h2
dt
ob

ob

( kro1 + kro 2 )(ln Sof ) 2 +

0
0
dS
k ( pcf pcm1 )kro1 ( pcf pcm 2 )kro 2
+ og g (kro1 kro 2 ) = of
+

h2
h1
dt
ob

a=

ob

( k ro1 + k ro 2 ), b =

0
0

k ( p cf p cm1 ) k ro1 ( p cf p cm 2 ) k ro 2

+
+ og g ( k ro1 k ro 2 )
h1
h2
ob

a (ln Sof ) 2 + b =

(17

dSof
dt

The solution of the above ordinary separable differential equation is:

(1) n b n 1 au 1 (1) n b n
2
+
ln(au + b) +
tg

ab 2a n=0 (2n + 1)! a

n=0 (2n)! a
n 1

1
(1) n1 b m+1
u + c = t

m =0
a(m + 1) n=1 (2n + m)! a
where

(18)

u = ln S of , 0 S of 1 u 0 .[7]
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9. A New Approach to capillary Continuity through Liquid Bridge Volume

For different values of fracture aperture and weighting factor, after any time matrix average
oil saturation is calculated from Firoozabadis model, and by using the solution of above
differential equation, fracture oil saturation can be determined. So it is possible to evaluate the
liquid bridge volume which states the growth and extension of liquid bridge and in other word
the percentage of connection between matrix blocks is obtained. This connection parameter is

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a new definition of interaction between upper and lower matrix blocks and is called by
authors as capillary continuity fraction (CCF):
U

CCF =

VBridge + VSpacers

(19)

VFracture + VSpacers

As you see the volume of spacers (particles) which placed in middle horizontal smooth
fracture have an important effect on connectivity between upper and lower matrix blocks,
because the capillary continuity fraction will be grater if the volume of particles is added to
both liquid bridge volume and fracture volume.
If the middle horizontal smooth fracture is free of particles (minerals), the capillary continuity
fraction will be equal to fracture oil saturation:

CCF =

VBridge
VFracture

(20)

= Sof

10. The Effect of Fracture of Roughness on Capillary Continuity Fraction

The effect of fracture roughness on CCF can be corrected by definition a new coefficient
named as fracture roughness coefficient:

CCF =

VBridge + VSpacers

(21)

(1 frac. )VFracture + VSpacers

As it is obvious that fracture roughness can have positive effect on CCF when it reduces the
fracture volume and negative effect while it increases the volume of fracture. This coefficient
can vary between 0 and 1.
11. Results and Conclusions
1. Fracture capillary pressure helps liquid bridge to be stable while matrix capillary pressure
tries to destroy the formed liquid bridge.
2. The results (average oil saturations) obtained for single block (here is upper block) can be
extended to lower block through definition of weighting factor which corrects the effect of
liquid bridge discharging on average oil saturation in this block.
3. A simple model is generated by using conservation law of mass which is applied on liquid
bridge (control volume) feeding from GOC in upper block to fracture and discharging from
fracture to GOC in lower block for determination of fracture oil saturation with respect to
time and finally liquid bridge volume which is a key factor in capillary continuity between
matrix blocks can be calculated.
4. A new definition for the percentage of connectivity between matrix blocks is presented
which is called by author as capillary continuity fraction (CCF).
5. The effect of volume of particles (spacers) inside middle horizontal fracture on capillary
continuity fraction is an important factor for stability of liquid bridge.
6. The effect of fracture roughness on capillary continuity fraction plays an important role in
better constructing the connectivity between matrix block.
7. All matrix capillary pressure models must be used and examined in modelling of gravity
drainage mechanism for a single lock in order to reach the best one. The results of the best
one has low deviation from experimental data and can fit them in acceptable manner.

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8. Weighting factor which corrects the average oil saturation in lower matrix block must be
obtained from measuring the saturation profile at any time during gravity drainage mechanism
in matrix blocks.
9. The effect of capillary continuity fraction on ultimate recovery must be considered and
checked by experimental data.
10. It is necessary to perform this modelling with real reservoir rock and fluid properties and
also the geometrical block and fracture properties.

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References:
1. Horie T., Firoozabadi A. and Ishimoto K., Laboratory Studies of Capillary Interaction in
Fracture/Matrix Systems, Paper SPE Reservoir Engineering 18282, August 1990.
2. Mollaei A., Haghighi M. and Maini B., Experimental Investigation and Network Modeling
Simulation of Free Fall Gravity Drainage in Single-Matrix and Fractured-Blocks Models,
Paper SPE 100400, 2006, International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference held in Abu
Dhabi, U.A.E., 5-8 November 2006.
3. Mollaei A., Haghighi M. and Maini B., Free-Fall Gravity Drainage in Fractured Matrix
Blocks: Experimental and Network Modeling Simulation Findings and Observations, Paper
SPE 107206, 2007, Latin American and Caribbean Petroleum Engineering Conference held in
Buenos Aires, Argentina, 15-18 April 2007.
4. Honarpour M., Koederitz L. and Herbert Harvey A., Relative Permeability of Petroleum
Reservoirs, CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, Florida.
5. Antonio Claudio F. Correa and Firoozabadi A., Concept of Gravity Drainage in Layered
Porous Media, Paper SPE 26299, SPE Journal, 101-111, March 1996.
6. Dindoruk B. and Firoozabadi A., Computation of Gas-Liquid Gravity in Fractured Porous
Media Recognizing Fracture Liquid Flow, JPT, December 1995, Volume 34, No. 10, 39-49.
7. Kreyszig E., Advanced Engineering Mathematics, JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC., 8th
Edition, 1999.
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Figure 1. The effect of capillary continuity on ultimate recovery of oil.[1]

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Figure 2. Liquid bridge in the control volume which is feeding from up and
discharging at bottom.[3]
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Figure 3. Typical matrix capillary pressure versus oil saturation curve.[3]

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Figure 4. Determination of residual oil saturation at threshold point

where the gravity forces are equal to capillary forces.[3]
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Figure 5. Capillary pressure and oil column pressure curves for different matrix block heights of H=1, 2, 3, 5 and 10
meters. (Contact points show the threshold points for different block heights).[3]
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Figure 6. Displacement of oil by gas in a single block surrounded by fractures.

(a)

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1st National Iranian Fractured Reservoirs Development Congress

(b)

(c)

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(d)

(e)
Figure 7. (a) Input data, (b) Dimensionless height (RF) versus dimensionless oil saturation, (c) Dimensionless relative
oil permeability versus dimensionless oil saturation, (d) Dimensionless oil saturation versus dimensionless time and (e)
Dimensionless oil velocity at the end of single block versus dimensionless time.

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