Pore-scale modeling of oil/water phases in porous reservoirs using microfluidics

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Energy is becoming a critical issue for the economic prosperity of the country. Efficient strategies need to be developed for extracting every last bit of oil residing within the pores of reservoirs, which are typically 2 - 5 µm in size. Such strategies can only evolve through in-depth understanding of the fluid mechanics occurring in the pore-scale. A typical oil field (or reservoir) extends a few hundred meters below the earth's surface and is porous in nature containing oil and water phases in an interconnected three-dimensional network of pores. The proposed research program aims to address this energy issue by taking a close look at the phenomena which are occurring in the micro-scale. The research program has both modeling and experimental components. The state-of-art modeling approaches in two-phase flow, like Lattice Boltzmann and Pore-Network, will be used to understand the dynamics of the oil and water phases residing in the pore space of the reservoir. Experimental study involves the use of latest fabrication and characterization techniques in microfluidics and its novel application in the field of energy. Apart from addressing fundamental physical processes occurring in micro-scale, the outcomes of this research program will be useful for engineers working in the oil and gas sectors, particularly those involved in enhanced oil recovery processes like Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) used in the Province of Alberta.