Prediction of three-phase relative permeabilities of Berea sandstone using lattice Boltzmann method

Three-phase flows through a pore network of Berea sandstone are studied numerically under critical interfacial tension conditions. Results show that the relative permeability of each fluid increases as its own saturation increases. The specific interfacial length between wetting and nonwetting fluids monotonously decreases with increasing the saturation of intermediate-wetting fluid, while the other two specific interfacial lengths exhibit a nonmonotonous variation. As the wetting (nonwetting) fluid becomes less wetting (nonwetting), the relative permeability of wetting fluid monotonously increases, while the other two relative permeabilities show a nonmonotonous trend. Due to the presence of a spreading layer, the specific interfacial length between wetting and nonwetting fluids always stabilizes at a low level. As the viscosity ratio of wetting (nonwetting) to intermediate-wetting fluids increases, the relative permeability of wetting (nonwetting) fluid increases. With the viscosity ratio deviating from unity, the phase interfaces become increasingly unstable, leading to an increased specific interfacial length.