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Insight into oil-gas seepage mechanism in CO2 miscible flooding based on interphase mass transfer and intraphase diffusion models

Author

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  • Xie, Huaxiao
  • Liang, Dong
  • Zhang, Jun
  • Ji, Yanfeng
  • Cao, Xiaopeng
  • Yan, Youguo

Abstract

CO2-oil miscibility in reservoirs is achieved through multiple contacts instead of first-contact miscibility. Oil-gas seepage is governed by interphase mass transfer and intraphase diffusion, yet previous studies primarily emphasized the latter while neglecting the former under first-contact miscibility assumptions, failing to capture the dynamic miscibility process and overestimating oil recovery. In this study, a three-dimensional pore model was constructed. A VOF model incorporating mass transfer equation, coupled with component transport model accounting for fluid property variations, was developed to investigate oil-gas seepage behavior under multiple-contact miscibility. Simulations reveal that multiple-contact miscibility, unlike the instantaneous first-contact miscibility, involves dynamic evolution with gradual CO2 dissolution into oil, leading to lower sweep efficiency and weaker oil-washing capacity. When accounting for intraphase diffusion, oil recovery under multiple-contact miscibility is 18.25 % lower than under first-contact miscibility. In contrast, incorporating interphase mass transfer significantly reduces oil viscosity, improves sweep efficiency and oil-washing capability, and boosts recovery by 12.86 % compared with the case neglecting this process. Notably, oil recovery is highly sensitive to interphase mass transfer but relatively insensitive to intraphase diffusion. Further analysis employing three alkanes with different chain lengths demonstrates that lighter alkanes with stronger mass transfer capacity yield higher recovery, following the order C10H22 (79.19 %) > C12H26 (75.43 %) > C16H34 (68.80 %). Additionally, increasing reservoir temperature and pressure markedly enhances sweep efficiency and oil-washing capacity, with a more pronounced effect on heavier oils, leading to a 4.66 % increase in oil recovery. These findings provide novel insights into the oil-gas seepage mechanisms of CO2 miscible flooding.

Suggested Citation

  • Xie, Huaxiao & Liang, Dong & Zhang, Jun & Ji, Yanfeng & Cao, Xiaopeng & Yan, Youguo, 2026. "Insight into oil-gas seepage mechanism in CO2 miscible flooding based on interphase mass transfer and intraphase diffusion models," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 346(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:346:y:2026:i:c:s0360544226003713
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2026.140269
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    References listed on IDEAS

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