Abstract:
To deeply explore the dynamic evolutionary characteristics of water blocking effect in coal reservoir pores under different water saturation conditions, optimize and guide the target mine to formulate an efficient water blocking release strategy, thus improving the mining efficiency of coalbed methane. Based on the microstructural characteristics of coal rock, a microscopic visualization model of coal media is designed and fabricated, enabling dynamic visualization of water blocking phenomena during gas-water two-phase transportation. First, we quantitatively analyzed the differences in the number of strong and weak water blocking under four water saturation conditions: 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%. Subsequently, the characteristics of gas phase migration trajectories under different water saturation conditions were clarified from the perspectives of migration direction and formation speed. Finally, the relationship between gas phase permeability and displacement time was analyzed to evaluate the impact of water saturation on the exploitation of coalbed methane. The results indicate that the effectiveness of strong water blocking release is inversely proportional to the initial water saturation, the angle between the gas phase migration trajectory and the dominant flow channel within the reservoir is inversely proportional to water saturation, while the formation rate of fluid migration trajectories is directly proportional to water saturation. There is a minimum value for water saturation within the reservoir, and the rate of water removal during gas-water displacement reaches a peak, resulting in a trend where gas phase permeability recovery efficiency first increases and then decreases. The water blocking release operation exhibits distinct temporal characteristics, with its optimal time window featuring a pronounced critical point. When the water saturation does not exceed 75%, the 1/4 displacement stage is the best time point for displacement; while under 100% water saturation conditions, due to the slow growth rate of effective pores in the early stage of displacement, the best displacement time point is concentrated in the 2/4 displacement stage. In coalbed methane extraction, reservoir capillary resistance is inversely proportional to water saturation, so gas phase permeability recovery efficiency is negatively correlated with water saturation. By analyzing the dynamic evolution characteristics of gas phase migration trajectories and reservoir gas phase permeability under different water saturation conditions, this study provides new insights for optimizing water blocking removal operation strategies on-site and thereby increasing coalbed methane production.