We have discussed the Wyllie and Gardner formulation of relative permeability as a function of capillary pressure.

As mentioned in the class, the formulation was developed using the Purcell-Burdine capillary pressure relative
permeability concept — i.e., a bundle of capillary tubes. The relations are as follows:

S ∗ 1
∫0 w dSw ∗
0 ∗ 2(1+a) pc 2(1+b)
k rw = k rw (Sw ) 1 1 .................................................................................................(1)
∫0 2(1+b)dSw ∗
pc

S ∗ 1
∫0 w dSw ∗
∗ 2(1+a) pc 2(1+b)
k rn = k 0 rn (Sw ) 1 1 ....................................................................................................(2)
∫0 2(1+b)dSw ∗
pc

Where normalized saturation function is given as:

Sw −Swi
Sw ∗ = ....................................................................................................................................................(3)
1−Swi

After knowing the equation to be used. The steps in performing curve matching in this case include: First of all
we have to solve the integral in equation (1) and equation (2) so as to produce new equations, equations (4) and
(5) can be seen below:

3λ+2a+2b+2
0 Sw −Swi λ
k rw = k rw [( 1−S )] ................................................................................................................(4)
wi

3λ+2a+2b+2
0 ∗
k rw = k rn (1 − Sw ) λ ..................................................................................................................(5)

After the equation (4) and (5) is obtained, then we must assumed the value of λ, pD, Swi, a, b, korw and korn to
be entered in calculation of equation (4) and (5). After we assumed the value of λ, pD, Swi, a, b, korw and korn
then the curved is not matched then resulted the RMSE value. After we obtained the RMSE value, we must
minimise the RMSE value to get the match value with the actual paper data, then calculated curve can be matched
with data available on the paper. One of the method to find the smallest RMSE value by using solver utility that
available in Microsoft excel with variably altered to matched Pc is λ, pD in the solver. Then to match the krw
value, the variable must be changed is Swi, a, b, korw and korn.

After obtained the smallest RMSE from the solver then the assumed value changed and matched the curve from
manual calculation with the curve generated from data in the paper. Below is the figure of both curve that have
been matched between actual data from the paper and data calculated.
 Pc vs Sw
2200
2000
1800
1600
1400
Pc, Psia

1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2
Sw, Fraction

Actual Data Calculated Data

Figure 1. Matched curve Pc vs Sw.

Figure 1. above shows calculation results by utilising the solver utility on microsoft excel is closed with the actual
data on the paper, then another parameter like lambda, pD and etc can be obtained.

Relative Permeability vs Sw
1.2

0.8

0.6
Kr

0.4

0.2

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2
Sw
Krw Actual Data Kro Actual Data Krw Calculated Krn Calculated

Figure 2. Matched curve Kr (Relative permeability) vs Sw.

Figure 2. above is matching curve results of Relative permeability vs Sw, from the curve we can see that curve
has been match and the another parameter can be obtained as shown below.
 Table 1. Parameter assumed before curve matching

Assumed Value
λ 0.465153451
Pd 4.856235343
Swi 0.24362565
a -0.46524354
b 1.357163544
korw 0.9999942
o
k rn 0.97632565

Table 2. Result of Parameter calculation after curve matching

Calculated Value
λ 0.343625465
Pd 4.275522325
Swi 0.114649029
a -0.145749702
b 0.239130064
o
k rw 1.0000000
korn 0.989678968

Table above is table with value before curve matching and after curve matching by use microsoft excel. In the
assumed value Table 1. Assumed value resulted un-match calculation then must be re-calculate by using solver
utility on microsoft excel until both curve are matched. Below is actual data of the paper and the result of
calculation by using solver utility in microsoft excel.

Table 3. Actual data of the paper

Paper Actual Data

Sw Pc Sw(Kr) Krw Kro S*w(Pc Data)
0.226 2002 0.651 0.005 0.238 0.125770428
0.244 1502 0.671 0.008 0.204 0.146101349
0.256 1202 0.692 0.014 0.176 0.159655295
0.264 1002 0.723 0.025 0.145 0.16869126
0.271 802 0.758 0.043 0.119 0.176597729
0.289 602 0.794 0.076 0.096 0.196928649
0.308 402 0.832 0.124 0.074 0.218389065
0.321 302 0.873 0.197 0.046 0.233072507
0.352 202 0.894 0.246 0.031 0.26808687
0.372 162 0.914 0.333 0.021 0.290676782
0.408 112 0.937 0.496 0.015 0.331338622
0.462 75.5 0.959 0.628 0.009 0.392331383
0.501 61.5 1 1 0 0.43638171
0.573 45.5 0.517705391
0.723 31.5 0.687129727
0.855 26.5 0.836223142
0.967 21.5 0.962726646
1 16.5 1
1 11.5 1
1 6.52 1
1 4.02 1
1 2.52 1

Table 4. Calculated data of capillary pressure.

Pc Calculation
Pc Cal Diff Pc S*w(Kr)
1783.800886 218.1991 0.605806
1153.364774 348.6352 0.628396
890.9255184 311.0745 0.652115
759.0353396 242.9647 0.68713
664.3116047 137.6884 0.726662
483.7853857 118.2146 0.767324
358.0331501 43.96685 0.810245
296.2661761 5.733824 0.856554
197.1470861 4.852914 0.880273
155.7912267 6.208773 0.902863
106.4307538 5.569246 0.928842
65.09053031 10.40947 0.953691
47.75620865 13.74379 1
29.0435751 16.45642
12.74178038 18.75822
7.195200612 19.3048
4.775269276 16.72473
4.275522325 12.22448
4.275522325 7.224478
4.275522325 2.244478
4.275522325 0.255522
4.275522325 1.755522
Table 5. Calculated data of Krw.

Krw Calculation
Krw Cal Diff Krw
0.006928182 0.001928
0.009962185 0.001962
0.01438757 0.000388
0.024172798 0.000827
0.042105176 0.000895
0.072263719 0.003736
0.123999043 9.57E-07
0.215222284 0.018222
0.282210802 0.036211
0.362864192 0.029864
0.480798301 0.015202
0.624756073 0.003244
1 0

Table 5. Calculated data of Krn.

Krn Calculation
Krn Cal Diff Krn
9.65374E-05 0.237903
5.3757E-05 0.203946
2.7942E-05 0.175972
9.75454E-06 0.14499
2.554E-06 0.118997
5.16765E-07 0.095999
6.83511E-08 0.074
4.2593E-09 0.046
7.08912E-10 0.031
8.90694E-11 0.021
4.06332E-12 0.015
5.72964E-14 0.009
0 0