Retaining an Upper Bound for the Capillary Retention of Two-Phase Flow in Porous Media

At the sub-meter scale, capillary retention occurs when two immiscible phases flow across heterogeneous media. It happens in upstream medium, and phase retained depends on heterogeneity order system wettability. This phenomenon has a major impact oil recovery hence requires comprehension. The analysis of spatial variation saturation along flowing domain is well established. However, literature lacks general characteristics caused by such at various conditions. continuum model for porous media steady-state conditions examined. limited to medium with single discontinuity rock properties. In this examination, are primary consideration. Three regions related regime identified: plateaus transition zone occurring, general, intermediate number. width location depend fractional flow. crucial finding identification an upper bound its dependency variable ratio form Leverett J-curve. Two J-models investigated, it shown that, given ratio, level flatness J-curve saturations. Potential implications current reservoir characterization also discussed.