Prediction of the capillary pressure of fluid surrounding a cylinder representing an idealized rock structure in porous media

Abstract

Liquids in oil-bearing porous media assume complex shapes that depend on the reservoir characteristics and the wetting properties of the liquid. The wide variation in the geometry of rock formations makes it difficult to accurately predict the capillary pressure of small volumes of liquid and hence the likelihood of being able to move it. Here we consider the situation in which a small volume of liquid surrounds an upright cylinder on a flat substrate and predict the shape that the liquid takes and its capillary pressure. We validate our predictions by comparing with Surface Evolver simulations for a range of contact angles and cylinder radii.