Two-phase calculations and comparative flow experiments through heterogeneous orthogonal stratified systems

Experimental and theoretical results for two-phase flow in vertically stratified systems, the flow being normal to the strata, are presented. The experimental study is focused on the following points: (a) the initial oil-drainage process and the evolution of he water distribution during the capillary equilibrium process, and (b) the time evolution of the saturation fields during waterflooding experiments. Saturation fields were measured using a γ-rays attenuation system. ysics of two-phase flow through vertically stratified porous media can be analysed by a large-scale averaging method. This methodology is described briefly; reference is made to previous publications for detailed presentation. ter-flooding experiments were interpreted using the large-scale averaging method, first in the quasi-static case, second using a simplified closure problem taking into account dynamic effects. The results show a better agreement between experimental and theoretical results when dynamic effects are taken into account.