Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Title

Gas Science and Engineering

Volume

131

Publisher

Elsevier

School

Centre for Sustainable Energy and Resources / School of Engineering

Funders

National Key Research and Development Program of China (2023YFE0120700) / National Natural Science Foundation of China (52074040, 52304021)

Comments

Xiao, Y., You, Z., Du, Z., He, Y., Zheng, J., Yuan, Y., & Wang, L. (2024). Review on spontaneous imbibition mechanisms in gas-water systems: Impacts on unconventional gas production and CO2 geo-sequestration. Gas Science and Engineering, 131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jgsce.2024.205466

Abstract

Spontaneous imbibition, a fundamental process in porous media, involves the displacement of a non-wetting phase by a wetting phase driven by capillary pressure. It plays a key role in various applications, particularly in unconventional gas production and greenhouse gas geo-sequestration. Despite extensive research in this area, conflicting results and explanations persist regarding imbibition phenomena, particularly in gas-water systems. This paper aims to address this gap by providing a comprehensive review of basic concepts, mechanical analyses, pore-filling patterns, front evolutions, and influencing factors associated with spontaneous imbibition. Mechanical factors including capillary force, viscous force, gravitational force, hydrostatic force, inertial force, capillary back force, and dead end force, play crucial roles in water imbibition with different boundary types. The pore-filling pattern significantly affects microscopic fluid distribution and front evolution during the imbibition process. To resolve conflicting findings, we systematically analyze the influencing factors of spontaneous imbibition within gas-water systems, encompassing rock properties, fluid characteristics, rock-fluid interactions, and reservoir properties. Furthermore, we present an in-depth discussion on the imbibition and trapping mechanisms relevant to unconventional gas production and CO2 geo-sequestration, providing insights into force analyses and influencing factors. Gas production strategies and favorable conditions for CO2 capillary trapping are proposed. Finally, we outline existing knowledge gaps and suggest potential directions for future research. This review thus provides useful insights and suggestions for advancing our understanding of spontaneous imbibition within gas-water systems and optimizing unconventional gas production and CO2 geo-sequestration practices.

DOI

10.1016/j.jgsce.2024.205466

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

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