The Combined Effect of Near-Critical Relative Permeability and Non-Darcy Flow on Well Impairment by Condensate Drop Out

Abstract

Summary We present a comprehensive numerical method to calculate well impairment based on steady-state radial flow. The method incorporates near-critical relative permeability and saturation-dependent inertial resistance. Example calculations show that near-critical relative permeability, which depends on the capillary number, and non-Darcy flow are strongly coupled. Inertial resistance gives rise to a higher capillary number. In its turn, the improved mobility of the gas phase caused by a higher capillary number enhances the importance of the inertial resistance. The effect of non-Darcy flow is much more pronounced in gas condensate reservoirs than in dry gas reservoirs. Well impairment may be grossly overestimated if the dependence of relative permeability on the capillary number is ignored.