Caracterização de reservatórios de petróleo através de curvas de permeabilidade relativa obtidas em testes de escoamento de fluidos em meio poroso: abordagens experimental, analítica e numérica

Abstract

The characterization process of a hydrocarbon reservoir is one of the essential steps within the oil industry since it is responsible for predicting the form of production in the field, reducing process uncertainties, and directly impacting decision-making regarding the exploration. In this process, many properties directly affect the results, including intrinsic properties of the porous medium or fluids and, mainly, those that describe the interaction between these two components, such as the relative permeability. In this context, in the present work, three methodologies were employed: experimental, through water injection tests in a rock sample saturated with oil (representing the initial conditions of a reservoir and the secondary recovery method); analytical, with the application of JBN method, and numerical method, using commercial flow simulation software. The primary purpose of applying different approaches is to obtain relative permeability curves with excellent reliability since the analytical and numerical methods complement the experimental study. Through the analysis of the permeability curves, it was possible to deduce the wettability of the rock, as well as the saturation levels of the residual fluids after the production process, being essential parameters for the characterization of the reservoir. In addition, the results obtained in the simulation process showed the accuracy of the data generated in the experiment, the parameters that create greater sensitivity within the model, and the possible errors caused within the experimental stage.