Comparison of CO2-Brine and N2-Brine Relative Permeability on Multiple Rock Types Using Physical and Digital Rock Analysis Methods

Carbon storage projects require both reservoir characterization and reservoir modelling to adequately describe the reservoir.  One key component to both requirements is relative permeability data. However, CO2-Brine relative permeability testing has proven to be challenging in the laboratory, often resulting in extended testing time, increased cost, and limited experimental data. To address these challenges, alternative testing approaches, fluid pairs, and digital rock analysis workflows were evaluated 
and compared with the aim of simplifying relative permeability characterization while reducing time and cost. While there are numerous studies to compare methods for acquiring relative permeability data in conventional systems, detailed comparisons for CO2 systems remain limited.  This work addresses that gap by integrating laboratory measurements with digital rock analysis to evaluate multiple testing methods and fluid pairs that may permit more efficient and extensive relative permeability characterization for carbon capture and storage projects.