General three-phase relative permeability model for Prudhoe Bay

This paper describes two-and three-phase relative permeability concepts important for Prudhoe Bay. It includes a three-phase relative permeability correlation that incorporates hysteresis in gas, oil, and water relative permeability as well as the dependence of relative permeability on composition and gas/oil interfacial tension (IFT). The functional forms chosen to correlate the relative permeability data were based on interpretation of the pore-level mechanisms that determine fluid flow. The three-phase correlation reduces to traditional models in various limits and is more consistent with available data and trends in the literature than previous correlations. Although this correlation was developed for Prudhoe Bay, it can be and has been applied to other mixed-wet reservoirs with changes in the input parameters. The correlation is particularly useful in situations where both compositional effects and hysteresis are important.