Upscaling multiphase flow through heterogeneous porous media

TL;DR

This paper develops methods to upscale flow properties in heterogeneous porous media, demonstrating how heterogeneities affect flooding dynamics and implications for carbon sequestration.

Contribution

It introduces new upscaling expressions for heterogeneous media and modifies the Buckley-Leverett model to incorporate heterogeneity effects.

Findings

Heterogeneities significantly alter flooding speeds.

Upscaled expressions accurately predict flow behavior.

Implications for CO2 sequestration strategies.

Abstract

Upscaling the effect of heterogeneities in porous media is crucial for macroscopic flow predictions, with widespread applications in energy and environmental settings. In this study, we derive expressions for the upscaled flow properties of a porous medium with a vertical heterogeneity, using a combination of asymptotic analysis and numerical simulations. Then, we use these upscaled expressions to describe the dynamic flooding of an aquifer, where the classic Buckley-Leverett formulation is modified to account for heterogeneities. In particular, we show that heterogeneities can modify flooding speeds significantly, and we discuss the implications of these results in the case of carbon dioxide sequestration.