Spontaneous Imbibition and Forced Water Injection in Mixed-Wet Multiscale Oolitic Limestone Studied Through the Differential Imaging-Based Porous Plate Technique


Patmonoaji A., Gundogar A. S., Ma Q., Regaieg M., Blunt M. J., Bijeljic B.

TRANSPORT IN POROUS MEDIA, cilt.152, sa.12, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 152 Sayı: 12
  • Basım Tarihi: 2025
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s11242-025-02248-3
  • Dergi Adı: TRANSPORT IN POROUS MEDIA
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Compendex, Geobase
  • Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Hayır

Özet

Understanding imbibition in multiscale porous carbonates is essential for predicting fluid distribution in subsurface applications. We measured the capillary pressure for spontaneous imbibition and forced water injection in a mixed-wet multiscale oolitic limestone with distinct macro-, intermediate-size-, and micropore structure using the differential imaging-based porous plate (DIPP) technique. Spontaneous imbibition was found to occur through water-wet micropore channels, whereas forced water injection was dominated by the flow in mixed-wet and oil-wet macro-pores with residual oil found in pores of intermediate size. The analysis of contact angle, curvature, macro-pore occupancy, and overall water Amott index demonstrated mixed-wet-to-oil-wet conditions, resulting in a percolation-like advance during forced water injection. The water Amott index calculated on each pore size classification indicated water-wet micropores and oil-wet intermediate-size- and macro-pores. Our results highlight the role of micropores in sustaining water flow at low saturation and the role of intermediate-size-pores in retaining residual oil, advancing the predictive understanding of fluid behavior in carbonate reservoirs.