Capillary Pressure:

Reservoir Seal
Capillary Pressure /
Saturation Relationship
(Sw* Model)

Sw* Power Law Model

( )

* 1/
w

Pc = Pd S

Sw Swi
S =
1 Swi
*
w

Power Law Model (log-log straight line)

Best fit of any data set with a straight line model can be used
to determine two unknown parameters. For this case:
slope gives
intercept gives Pd

Swi must be determined independently

it can be difficult to estimate the value of Swi from cartesian Pc vs. Sw
plot, if the data set does not clearly show asymptotic behavior

Type Curves
A Type Curve is a dimensionless solution or relationship
Dimensionless means that it applies for any values of specific
case parameters
Petroleum Engineers often use type curves to determine model
parameters

well test analysis

well log analysis
production data analysis
analysis of capillary pressure data

Type Curves
Process of type curve matching
Step 1: observed data is plotted using an appropriate format
The data and type curve must be plotted using the same sized grid (ie. 1
log cycle = 1 log cycle)

Step 2: a match is found between observed data and a

dimensionless solution by sliding the data plot over the type
curve plot (horizontal and vertical sliding only)
Step 3: the match is used to determine model parameters for
the observed data
Often values are recorded from an arbitrary match point on both the
data plot and type curve plot

Brooks and Corey Type Curve

Dimensionless variable definitions
Dimensionless Capillary Pressure

Pc
PcD =
Pd

Dimensionless Wetting Phase Saturation

SwD

1 Sw
= 1 S =
1 Swi

Restating Sw* Model (Type Curve Plot)

PcD = (1 SwD )

1/

*
w

Brooks and Corey Type Curve

Type Curve Plot

Dimensionless Capillary Pressure Type Curve

1000

By matching the type

curve, we can solve for all
three Sw* Model
parameters: Pd , Swi , and

=0.10
=0.20
=0.40
=1.0
=2.0
100

=4.0
=10.0

PcD , Dimensionless

curve matched gives,

vertical slide gives: Pd
horizontal slide gives: Swi

=0.04

10

1
0.01

0.1

SwD , Dimensionless

Brooks and Corey Type Curve

Data Plot, Pc vs. (1-Sw )

Pd will be in same unit

1000

Pc , Same Pressure unit as Pd

Grid must be same size as

Type Curve Plot
Any pressure unit can be
used for plotting Pc

Dimensionless Capillary Pressure Data Sheet

100

10

1
0.01

0.1

1-Sw , Fraction

Brooks and Corey Type Curve

Example Data, Cottage
Grove #5 Well
lithology: sandstone
porosity: 0.28 fraction
permeability: 127 md
fluid system: brine/air
wg: 72 dyne/cm

Sw, fraction Pc, psia

0.237
56.57
0.263
40.23
0.279
30.83
0.311
22.53
0.343
15.94
0.359
13.30
0.391
10.82
0.407
9.04
0.439
4.43

Sw, fraction Pc, psia

0.487
6.07
0.519
5.02
0.567
4.48
0.599
4.05
0.647
3.54
0.712
3.25
0.744
2.88
0.824
2.64
0.888
2.30

1000

Pc , Same Pressure unit as Pd

Dimensionless Capillary Pressure Data Sheet

100

10

1
0.01

0.1

1-Sw , Fraction

Brooks and Corey Type Curve

Step 1: Plot data on same
sized grid

Dimensionless
Dimensionless Capillary
Capillary Pressure
Pressure Type
Data Sheet
Curve
1000
=0.04
=0.10

Plots are shown overlayed

=0.20
=0.40

Pc , Same
PcD , Dimensionless
Pressure unit as Pd

=1.0
=2.0
100

=4.0
=10.0

10

1
0.01

0.1

SwD1-S
, Dimensionless
w , Fraction

Brooks and Corey

Type Curve

Dimensionless Capillary Pressure Type Curve

1000

Dimensionless Capillary Pressure Data Sheet

=0.04

1000

=0.10
=0.20

Only horizontal and

vertical sliding is
allowed
Best match is with the
=1.0 curve
Actual value of is
slightly less than 1.0

=1.0
=2.0
=4.0

100

PcD , Dimensionless
Pc , Same Pressure unit as Pd

Step 2: Slide data plot to

obtain the best match

=0.40

=10.0
100

10

10

1
0.01
1
0.01

0.1

SwD , Dimensionless
0.1

1-Sw , Fraction

Brooks and Corey

Type Curve

Dimensionless Capillary Pressure Type Curve

1000

Dimensionless Capillary Pressure Data Sheet

=0.04

1000

=0.10
=0.20

For this particular type

curve, the best
arbitrary match point is
where PcD=1 and SwD=1
At this match point,
Pc=2.0 psia and (1
Sw)=0.77
Match Point

=1.0
=2.0
=4.0

100

PcD , Dimensionless
Pc , Same Pressure unit as Pd

Step 3: Pick an
arbitrary match point
and record values from
both curves

=0.40

=10.0
100

10

10

1
0.01
1
0.01

0.1

SwD , Dimensionless
0.1

1-Sw , Fraction

Brooks and Corey Type Curve

Using dimensionless variable definitions
Dimensionless Capillary Pressure
When PcD = 1.0, from match point Pc=2.0
Since by definition, PcD=Pc/Pd , then Pd=2.0

Dimensionless Wetting Phase Saturation

When SwD = 1.0, from match point (1-Sw)=0.77
Since by definition, SwD=(1-Sw)/(1-Swi), then (1-Swi)=0.77
Therefore, Swi=0.23

Model Parameters: =1.0, Pd=2.0, Swi=0.23

The Sw* log-log plot should be used to verify these values
This would allow a more precise determination of than slightly less
than 1.0

Sample Data: Brooks and Corey Type Curve Matching

Pd, psia
, dimensionless Swi, fraction
=((15-3)/3)-1*
=(9-7)/8
=(25-4)/7
Sw, fraction
1Sw, fraction
Pc, Psia
0.28
0.72
8.8
0.48
0.52
4.4
0.63
0.37
3.8
0.75
0.25
3.4

Step 1: Plot Pc versus 1-Swi on data sheet with same sized grid. Tracing paper can
be used, if alignment points are marked.
Step 2: Slide horizontally and vertically to match the data points to a particular
value. The match may fall between the curves shown. Valid data points should
not fall below PcD=1, or to the right of SwD=1 when matched
Step 3: Choose an arbitrary match point (e.g. PcD=1, SwD=1) and use the definitions
of PcD=Pc/Pd, and SwD=(1-Sw)/(1-Swi) to determine values of Pd and Swi.
Note, the values of , Pd and Swi for this data set are obfuscated and are provided to
allow checking your answers, after completing your match.

Dimensionless Capillary Pressure Type Curve

1000
=0.04
=0.10
=0.20
=0.40
=1.0
=2.0
100

=4.0

PcD , Dimensionless

=10.0

10

1
0.01

0.1

SwD , Dimensionless