A Visual Investigation of CO2 Convective Mixing in Water and Oil at the Pore Scale Using a Micromodel Apparatus at Reservoir Conditions

CO2 convective mixing in water has been visualized Hele-Shaw and PVT cell experiments but not at the pore scale. Furthermore, a three-phase system (i.e., presence of both oil) visually investigated. A vertically placed micromodel setup was used to visualize 100 bar 50 °C, representative reservoir conditions. To best our knowledge, for first time, we have investigated scale also multiphase (water oil). governed by diffusion convection mechanisms observed. The vertical transport velocity calculated be 0.3 mm/min 100% saturation residual oil-saturated system. First, always found easiest path through connected pores, then transported into less pores dead-end pores. slower than preferential path. water-filled ganglia with trapped oil observed water.