Numeric determination of relative permeability of heterogeneous porous media with capillary discontinuities

Performance assessment of CO2 storage sites requires realistic modelling of the impact of heterogeneous aquifer properties on brine-CO2 flow. Heterogeneity gives rise to non-uniform saturation distributions that are affected by the balance of capillary, gravitational, and viscous forces. Since equivalent relative permeability and capillary pressure depend on saturation, their shape also varies with flow rate and gravitational phase segregation. This must be considered during performance assessment.