A Fractal Model for Oil Transport in Tight Porous Media

Tight porous media are mainly composed of micro/nano-pores and throats, which leads to obvious microscale effect and nonlinear seepage characteristics. Based on the capillary bundle model and the fractal theory, a new nonlinear seepage equation was deduced, and a further fractal permeability model was obtained for oil transport in tight porous media by considering the effect of the boundary layer. The predictions of the model were then compared with experimental data to demonstrate that the model is valid. This model clarifies the oil transport mechanisms in tight porous media: the effective permeability is no longer a constant value and is governed by properties of tight porous media and oil. Furthermore, parameters influencing effective permeability were analyzed. The model can accurately present the seepage characteristics of the oil in tight porous media and provide a reliable basis for the development of unconventional reservoirs.