Disconnected Gas Transport in Steady‐State Three‐Phase Flow

We use high-resolution three-dimensional X-ray microtomography to investigate fluid displacement during steady-state three-phase flow in a cm-sized water-wet sandstone rock sample. The pressure differential across the sample is measured which enables determination of relative permeability; capillary also estimated from interfacial curvature. Though permeabilities are consistent, within experimental uncertainty, with values obtained without imaging on larger samples, we discover unique dynamics. most non-wetting phase (gas) disconnected system: gas flows by periodically opening critical pathways intermediate-sized pores. While this phenomenon has been observed two-phase flow, here it significant at low rates, where forces dominate pore-scale. Gas movement proceeds series double and multiple events. Implications for design processes current empirical models discussed: traditional conceptualization dynamics based analogies vastly over-estimates connectivity potential phase.