Foam propagation on semi-reservoir scale

Foam propagation in co-injection of gas and surfactant solution has been studied in a 10-m-long flow apparatus, equipped with pressure ports and fluid sampling valves for every 1 m. The data have been compared to the results of a core scale foam flooding experiment with the same porous medium. The propagation experiments on the 10 m scale revealed that the foam front propagated significantly slower than the injected fluid front. It appeared that foam propagation was not limited by surfactant transport, but was delayed due to the presence of oil in the porous medium. The experiments have been interpreted with the aid of a numerical foam simulator.