Fluid flow properties for different classes of intermediate wettability as studied by network modelling

Most clastic reservoirs display an intermediate type of wettability. Intermediate wettability covers several local wetting configurations like fractional wet and mixed-wet where the oil-wet sites could either be in the large or smaller pores. Clastic reservoirs show a large variation in fluid flow properties. A classical invasion-percolation network simulator is used to investigate properties of different intermediate wet situations. Variation in wetting properties like contact angles, process dependent contact angles, contact angle distribution, and fraction of oil wet sites are investigated. The fluid flow properties analysed in particular are residual oil saturation and normalized endpoint relative permeability. Results from network modelling have been compared to reservoir core analysis data. The network models applied are at the capillary limit, while the core flood results are clearly viscous influenced. Even though network modelling does not cover all the physics involved in fluid displacement processes, results show that data from simulations are sufficient to present trends in fluid flow properties which are comparable to experimental data.