Estimation of Parameters for the Simulation of Foam Flow through Porous Media. Part 1: The Dry-Out Effect

Abstract

We develop a method of estimating foam simulation parameters from laboratory experiments. Gas and surfactant solution are coinjected into sand packs at different experimental conditions in two systems. At steady state, saturation of the aqueous phase is shown to be relatively constant over a wide range of foam qualities. In order to obtain an accurate model fit at the transition foam quality, the difference between the foam model parameter fmdry and the transition water saturation Swt is identified and a method to precisely calculate Swt is developed. By superimposing contour plots of the transition foam quality and the foam apparent viscosity, one can estimate the reference mobility reduction factor (fmmob) and the critical water saturation (fmdry) using the STARS foam model. The parameter epdry, which regulates the abruptness of the foam dry-out effect, can be estimated by a transient (continuous gas injection) foam experiment.