Immiscible Viscous Fingering: Modelling Unstable Water–Oil Displacement Experiments in Porous Media

Abstract Viscous fingering in porous media occurs when the ( miscible or immiscible ) displacing fluid has a lower viscosity than displaced fluid. For example, is observed experiments where water displaces much more viscous oil. Modelling patterns proven to be very challenging, which often been identified as being due numerical issues. However, recent paper (Sorbie et al. Transp. Porous Media 133:331–359, 2020) suggested that modelling issues are closely related physics and formulation of problem. They proposed an approach based on fractional flow curve, $${f}_{w}^{*}$$ f w ∗ , principal input, then derived relative permeabilities give maximum total mobility. Sorbie al . were able produce complex, well-resolves finger using elementary methods. In this paper, new tested by performing direct simulations previously published experimental water/oil displacements 2D sandstone media. Experiments modelled at adverse ratios $${\mu }_{o}/{\mu }_{w}$$ μ o / ), with oil viscosities ranging from μ o = 412 7000 cP, i.e. for ratio range, $$\sim$$ ∼ 400–7000. These have extensive production data well situ images, measured X-ray scanning. all cases, good quantitative agreement between experiment results found, providing strong validation approach. The underlying parameters used these unstable floods, functions, show consistent understandable variation ratio, ).