Simulating Residual Saturation and Relative Permeability in Heterogeneous Formations

Network models are used to investigate the effect of correlated heterogeneity on capillary dominated displacements in porous media. Residual saturations and relative permeabilities are shown to be sensitive to the degree of correlation and anisotropy. The network models reproduce the experimental observation that relative permeability is greater in the direction parallel to the bedding compared with perpendicular to the bedding. The scatter commonly observed in core measurements of residual saturation may be attributed to the presence of correlated heterogeneity in actual reservoir rocks.