A Model Study of Viscous Fingering

A. L. BENHAM I
JUNIOR MEMBER AIME
R. W. OLSON
ABSTRACT
Viscous fingering was studied as it occurred in
an open He Ie-Shaw mode I (1 ft x 4 ft x 1/16 in.);
it was also studied in the same model packed with
80-mesh glass beads during miscible displacements
under unfavorable viscosity ratio conditions. It was
determined that the lengths of 20 elements of the
front were distributed normally around the average
position of the combined elements under all condi-
tions. Represented by the normal distribution, the
length of the viscous fingers grew linearly with the
distance traveled from the point of finger formation,
increased with displacement velocity, and increased
with increasing mobility ratio. Results obtained
during the first few inches of displacement were of
little or no use in predicting finger growth and/or
finger length throughout the 4-ft model since the
point of finger initiation cannot be predicted and
would often occur several inches from the point of
injection with either positive or apparent negative
coordinates. The fingering occurring during a mis-
cible slug displacement was much greater than
would be predicted based upon the actual mobility
ratios between in-place fluid and slug and between
slug and following fluid, using the results described
above for miscible displacement in the absence of
a slug. Many of the experiments in the packed model
showed that the rate of growth of the viscous fin-
gers was diminishing toward the end of the dis-
placement in the 4-ft long model, indicating that
microscopic mixing, such as diffusion or dispersion,
was decreasing the viscous fingering effect.
INTRODUCTION
Viscous fingering is a manifestation of a finger-
shaped interface between displaced and displacing
fluids occurring during typical miscible displacement
projects for oil recovery. Its cause may be traced
to the instability of a viscous fluid being displaced
by a more mobile fluid. Viscous fingering takes on
important significance in the miscible slug pro-
cess 1,2 where it may be a dominant factor in deter-
mining minimum slug size.
Experimental 1-3 and theoretical
4
-
7
studies of
viscous fingering have been made by other investi-
Original manuscript received in Society of Petroleum Engineers
office Nov. 1, 1962. Revised manuscript received March 4, 1963.
1References given at end of paper.
1S8
-
J4rle
MARATHON OIL CO.
LITTLETON, COLO.
gators. However, an exhaustive study of the variables
affecting viscous fingering had not been made. The
present study was undertaken in an effort to deter-
mine the effects of some of the more obvious vari-
ables-such as mobility ratio, displacement veloc-
ity, distance displaced, and packing-upon viscous
finger length and growth in a small laboratory model.
It does not necessarily follow that conclusions
reached by studying the results of this model study
may be applied to the field. Future studies would
have to evaluate the effect: of model size on exten-
sion of these results.
EQUIPMENT AND EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES
A flow diagram for the equipment used in this
study is shown in Fig. 1. Basically, it consisted
of (1) a constant-rate pump for the injection of dis-
placing fluid into (2) a model made up of two flat
transparent plates spaced a small distance apart
and (3) provisions for the production of fluid into a
calibrated graduate. The displacing fluid contained
a dye which allowed visual observation of finger
spacing and length. The pump performed at rates
from 2.5 cc/hr to 480 cc/hr, while pumping a light
mineral oil into a bladder in a closed glass container
holding the displacing fluid.
The model was made up of two plates of I-in.
Plexiglass with dimensions l-ft wide by 4-ft long.
These were spaced 1/16 in. apart so that the internal
model dimensions were I-ft wide x 4-ft long x 1/16-
FIG. 1 - FLOW SHEET OF EXPERIMENTAL APPARA-
TUS.
SOCIETY OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERS JOURNAL
in. thick. Special injection heads were designed to
give a planar injection front and a constant velocity
across the model. Two other injection heads, which
gave a square wave of either ~ in. or a modified
X in., were designed and used for a few experiments.
Before a run was made, the model was filled with
an aqueous glycerine solution of a concentration to
give the desired viscosity. This fluid was displaced
by an aqueous aluminum sulfate solution of concen-
tration to give the same density as the displaced
fluid but of a different viscosity. This technique
avoided gravity effects in the model.
The displacing fluid was injected into one end
of the model through the injection head described
previously. The displaced fluid was forced out
through the other end of the model, collected, and
measured in a calibrated burette. The displacing
fluid was colored with a small amount of red food
coloring to afford a visual observation of the shape
of the front; the displaced fluid was colorless. A
16-mm. Bolex movie camera was placed over the
model. A special timing device was connected to
the camera which allowed time-lapse filming, with
intervals from 2 ~ seconds to 24 hours between
frames. The time lapse used for a particular run
was adjusted to give a showing time of about two
minutes for the entire displacement, compared with
total displacing times from 1 to 40 hours.
For slug runs, the model was first filled with
aqueous glycerine solution, as described previously.
Displacement was initiated by the addition of a
red dye until the desired quantity of this fluid
(representing the slug) had been injected. At this
point, a second displacing fluid was employed. It
had a different viscosity and contained a green dye.
The viscosities of the three fluids were adjusted
to give the desired mobility ratios between original
in-place (displaced) fluid, slug fluid, and displacing
fluid.
Some of the studies utilized the open model, called
the "He Ie-Shaw Model" by other investigators.
However, one series of runs was made using this
model packed with 80-mesh glass beads (0.0069-in.
diameter). Special precautions were taken to assure
that the model and beads were clean. The model
was then placed on end and filled with a water-
alcohol solution. Glass beads were then fed into
the top of the model, using a vibrating feeder. The
beads dropped into the fluid and settled to the bottom.
The model was tapped to insure uniform packing.
When the model was completely filled, it was placed
on the table. Injection and production facilities
were connected, and the alcohol-water solution was
displaced using the desired aqueous glycerine
solution. This technique assured an absence of air
bubbles in the system.
EXP ERI MENT AL RESULTS
A total of 26 runs were made in the open Hele-
Shaw model with mobility ratios from 1 to 90
(viscosity displaced/viscosity displacing) and linear
displacement velocities from 0.1 to 4.0 fr/hr. In
order for the Hele-Shaw model to be a satisfactory
JUNE, 1963
analog of flow in porous media, the fluids must be
flowing in the laminar-flow region. Reynolds number
calculations showed that laminar flow was always
realized.
A second series of 12 runs was made in the model
packed with 80-mesh glass beads. Mobility ratios
from 1 to 9.3 and displacement velocities from 0.05
to 0.2 ft/hr were used in these runs. The effect of
model packing will be revealed by discussing the
effects of the other variables, such as distance,
mobility ratio, and velocity, upon fingering in the
open model, followed immediately by a discussion
of the particular variable's effect in the packed
model.
VISCOUS FINGER REPRESENTATION
The progress of each displacement run was re-
corded on 16-mm. movie film, as described in the
previous section. In order to determine the effect
of the variables upon the degree of fingering, it is
aecessary to characterize fingering by several
parameters. An exact quantitative description of
the viscous fingering taking place during the runs
described is difficult, if not impossible. However,
several methods were devised in this study to give
a fair representation of the amount of fingering
which occurred during these runs in a form which
would be useful in predicting miscible slug require-
ments in a miscible slug displacement process.
A very rapid, but inadequate method of representing
the degree of fingering is to determine the percent-
age of the area of the model swept by displacing
fluid behind the point of the longest finger. For a
completely linear front, which would exist in the
absence of viscous fingering, the area swept would
be 100 per cent. Table 1 reveals that the sweep
efficiency behind the longest finger in the open-
model studies varied from 100 to 53 per cent as the
mobility ratio was increased from 1 to 91. Similarly,
Table 2 reveals that the sweep efficiency realized
when the model was packed with 80-mesh glass
beads ranged from 100 to 64 per cent while the
mobility ratio ranged from 1 to 9.3. It becomes
immediately apparent that the fingering is greater
in the packed model than in the open model for the
same mobility ratio.
The most useful representation of the viscous
fingering was obtained by a statistical procedure.
Three or four frames were selected from the 16-mm
movie film for each run which would show the front
for three or four different average positions in the
model. These frames were projected on large sheets
of paper, and tracings were made of the outline of
the front. The mean frontal position for each of the
tracings was determined by integrating the area of
the displacing fluid and converting this area to a
rectangular shape corresponding to the planar frontal
shape. Next, the model width was divided into 20
equal-width slices, or elements. A mean frontal
position was determined in each of these elements.
The distance between the mean frontal position in
each element and the mean frontal position was
measured for each element and is referred to here-
139
TABLE 1 - SWEEP EFFICIENCY BEHIND LONGEST
FINGER IN OPEN MODEL
Mobility Ratio
(J. Displaced
p. Displacing
Displacement Vel. Avg. % Sweep
ft/hr (behind longest fi nger)
1
3
10
20
91
0.2 - 3 100
0.1- 4 81
0.1 - 4 75
0.1 - 2 60
0.1 - 2 53
TABLE 2 - SWEEP EFFICIENCY BEHIND LONGEST
FINGER IN 80-MESH BEAD PACKED MODEL
Mobility Ratio
(J. Displaced
Avg. % Sweep Displacement Vel.
p. Displacing
ft/hr (behind longest finger)
1 100
2 0.06-0.2 81
5 0.06-0.24 79
9.3 0.06-0.10 64
after as "frontal distortion". The values of the
frontal distortion in each of the 20 elements were
arranged in order from the maximum distortion down
to the minimum. Distortions could take either positive
or negative values. However, absolute values were
used in this arrangement. Each value of frontal
distortion in this list was then given a number
which gave the percentage of the total front having
distortions equal to or less than the value of that
frontal distortion. These values would range from
5 to 100 per cent. Fig. 2 shows a plot of this infor-
mation on probability paper for mean frontal positions
of 7.9, 15.0, 22.3, 30.0 and 38.4 inches obtained
from a run in which the mobility ratio was 3 to 1,
the velocity was 4 ft/hr, and the model was open.
The data give a fair approximation to straight lines
at the various frontal positions, lending some sup-
port or at least usefulness for this method of finger
characterization. It was found that the frontal dis-
tortions were normally distributed for each run,
regardless of frontal position, velocity, mobility
ratio or packing.
.

1...1.1 1
RUN NO. 21 __
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MOBILITY RATIO ...... 3-1
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I vr
VELOCITY 4ft/hr
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.. Of FRONTAL AREA LESS THAN "O"FROM MEAN fRONT
FIG. 2 - FRONTAL DISTORTION AT VARIOUS MEAN
FRONTAL POSITIONS IN OPEN MODEL.
140
Similar plots were drawn for each run made in
the model, and these served for the characterization
of the fingering which occurred.
DISPLACEMENT DISTANCE EFFECT
Theoretical considerations would reveal that the
length of viscous fingers under favorable mobility
ratio conditions should increase with distance dis-
placed. The effect of distance displaced upon
viscous finger length or frontal distortion for the
open and packed models are shown in Figs. 3 and 4.
Similar graphs were obtained for each run made
in the open and packed models, and all revealed a
linear dependence of frontal distortion upon the
mean frontal position (distance displaced). The
slope of these curves DIL serves to represent the
distance effect for each run, D being the distortion
at any mean frontal position and L being the distance
the mean front has moved from the point of finger
conception.
A second important conclusion derived from the
study of these plots was that the point at which the
fingering originated could not be predicted. In many
cases, the fingering began at the injection head, but
for many other cases the point of origination was
several inches from the injection head with either
positive or apparent negative coordinates. In Figs.
14
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MEAN ".ONTAL POSITION IL, INCHES FROM INJECTION
FIG. 3 - FRONTAL DISTORTION AS A FUNCTION
OF MEAN FRONTAL POSITION IN OPEN MODEL
,

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RUN NO. 42
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0 ...... 2 .. 6 rIO 12 14 II 18 20 22 24 26 .28 :50 ,
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MEAN FRONTAL POSITION ,L, INCHES FROM INJECTION
FIG. 4 - EFFECT OF FRONTAL DISTANCE DIS-
PLACED UPON FRONTAL DISTORTION FOR 80-MESH
BEAD PACK MODEL.
SOCIETY OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERS JOURNAL
3 and 4 it will be noted that the fingers began after
the front had moved approximately 1 in. from the
injection head. This observation is important in
considering a method for predicting the finger's
length for any mean frontal position in the model
since it is necessary to know the point in the model
at which the fingers originated to make a prediction.
This is a parameter which will never be known in a
field miscible displacement.
A third observation can be made from Fig. 4. The
frontal distortion increased linearly with frontal
position until a mean frontal position of 22.5 in. is
reached. Beyond this, the rate of growth appears to
be decreasing. This phenomenon was exhibited in
most of the runs carried out in packed models and
may be explained by retardation of finger growth
due to diffusion or some other microscopic mixing
factor which begins to have a noticeable effect
after the front has moved 2 ft.
The effect of initial finger shape and frequency
was studied by making a series of three runs using
a square wave injection head. A comparison
of these results with those obtained using the planar
injection head is shown in Table 3 and reveals that
the initial finger shape did not affect finger growth
rates.
MOBILITY RATIO EFFECTS
The effect of mobility ratio upon viscous finger
length or frontal distortion factor is revealed in
Figs. 5 and 6 obtained from runs in the open and
packed model. Increased mobility ratio increases
the rate of growth of the fingers for both cases.
However, the effects for the open and packed models
do not take the same mathematical form. The frontal
distortion factors for the open model increased as
the log of the mobility ratio; whereas, the frontal
distortion factors obtained in the packed model
tended to increase proportionally to a number to
theM power where M is the mobility ratio.
Other data obtained for the two models and various
velocities show the same trend. This would indicate
that, at least in the limit studied, the character of
the porous media has an effect upon the rate of
growth of the viscous fingers.
2. 0
,.0
()ISPLACEMENT VELOCITY I Vtl ftlllr
0
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9-
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.
40
9 .. 2 ..
.
'0
10 40 eo .0 100 20
MOBILITY RATIO 1M" po DISPLACED/", DISPLACING
FIG. 5 - EFFECT OF MOBILITY RATIO ON FRONTAL
DISTORTION FACTOR FOR A DISPLACEMENT VELOC-
ITY OF 1 FT /HR IN AN OPEN MODEL.
JUNE, 1963
DISPLACEMENT VELOCITY EFFECT
It was found that displacement velocity had very
little effect upon the rate of viscous finger growth
in the open model when increasing it from 0.5 to
4 ft/hr. Although small, the effect of increased
velocity was to increase the rate of growth of the
viscous fingers. Fig. 7 shows the effect of displace-
ment velocity upon frontal distortion factors for the
packed model. The effect of increased displacement
velocity was to increase the viscous finger growth
as represented by the frontal distortion factor. The
frontal distortion factors increased linearly with
the log of the velocity for all packed model runs.
Fig. 8 shows a direct comparison of frontal dis-
tortion factors (95 per cent parameter) for the open
and packed models for mobility ratios from 2 to 9.3
and velocities used during the two different sets
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2 3 4 5 6 7 B 9 10 II
MOBILITY RATIO, M=u DISPLACED/u DISPLACING
FIG. 6-EFFECT OF MOBILITY RATIO UPON FRON-
TAL DISTORTION FOR A DISPLACEMENT VELOCITY
OF 0.1 FT/HR IN AN 80-MESH BEAD PACK MODEL.
0.6.---,.---,-,-----,---,
'"

0.'
if
Ii -' 0 c
'" - 0 o
0

0
0'

0

0
0
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.06.0 .10 .20
DISPLACEMENT VELOCITY, ft/hr
FIG. 7 - EFFECT OF DISPLACEMENT
VELOCITY ON FRONTAL DISTORTION FOR
A MOBILITY RATIO OF FIVE IN AN 80-
MESH BEAD PACK MODEL.
141
TABLE 3 - FINGER GROWTH IN OPEN MODEL AS AFFECTED BY MODEL FRONTAL INJECTOR
Mobility
Ratio
Dimensionless Frontal Di stortion Faetor*
fl Displaced
fJ. Displacing
10
Displacement
Vel.
ft/hr
Planar
(smoothed)
0.44
80%
Square
(average)
0.48
Planar
(smoothed)
0.40
90%
Square
(average)
0.35
Planar
(smoothed)
0.34
95%
.Square
(average)
0.30
*D/L Distortion, in./mean frontal distance from point fingering began.
of runs. These show that the magnitudes of the
frontal distortion factors were approximately equal
when compared without regard to velocity. However,
if the two sets of data were extrapolated to equal
velocities, the packed model would exhibit higher
rates of viscous finger growth than the open model.
MISCIBLE SLUG FINGERING
A series of miscible slug runs was made to deter-
mine the degree and nature of fingers exhibited
during a miscible slug displacement process. These
results were used in an effort to devise a method
of prediction for breakthrough of the displacing
fluid through the slug and into the displaced fluid.
Fig. 9 shows a series of four frames taken from a
miscible slug run in the open model. These pictures
show that the front between the slug and the dis-
placing fluid assumes essentially the same shape
as that of the interface between the slug and the
displaced fluid. It can be seen that breakthrough of
the displacing fluid into displaced fluid occurred
when the longest finger in the slug-displacing fluid
front reached the same position as the longest fin-
ger in the slug-displaced fluid front.
Given the correlation of the effects of distance,
mobility ratio, and displacement velocity discussed
above, one might assume that breakthrough could
be predicted by applying this correlation to the dis-
placed fluid-slug contact to predict the longest
finger position and the position of the longest finger
in the slug-displacing fluid front; when these have
become equal breakthrough has occurred. These
predictions would be based upon the velocity of
displacement and upon the mobility ratio between
displaced fluid and slug fluid for its longest finger,
and between slug and following fluid for the pursuing
1.0
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VELOCITY." H/hr
FIG. 8 - COMPARISON OF PACKED AND OPEN
MODEL RESULTS.
.142
finger. These predictions would be based upon the
99.9 per cent point in the correlation.
At this point, it becomes obvious that as long as
the mobility ratio between the displaced fluid and
the slug is greater than the mobility ratio between
the slug and the displacing fluid, breakthrough
would not be anticipated, based upon the correlations
described. In the slug runs carried out in the open
mmel, the mobility ratio between the displaced
fluid and the slug was 10, while the mobility ratio
between the slug and the displacing fluid was 5.
Breakthrough did occur in several of these runs.
Therefore, the effective or apparent mobility ratios
operating at the two interfaces must be different
from the actual ones, and the one between the slug
and the displacing fluid must be the largest in those
cases.
Plots of the frontal distortion for these fronts
were made and the rate of growth of the distortion
RUN No. 26 MI=IO.O-I M2=5.1-1 V= I FtlHr
RUN No. 26 MI=IO.O-I M2=5.1-1 V=IFtlHr
RUN No.26 MI=IO.O-I M2=5.1-1 V= 1Ft IHr
RUN No.26 MI=IO.O-I M2=5.1-1 V=IFtlHr
FIG. 9 - FINGERING FOR A MISCIBLE SLUG IN AN
OPEN MODEL.
SOCIETY OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERS JOURNAL
TABLE 4 - APPARENT MOBILITY RATIOS REQUIRED
TO PREDICT FINGERING EXHIBITED DURING MISCIBLE
SLUG DISPLACEMENT IN OPEN MODEL
Mobi I ity Ratio Mobility Ratia Over-all
Slug
fLl/fL2 fL2/fLa
Mobility
Run Length Ratio
No. (in.) Act. Apparent Act. Apparent
fLl//13
27 5 10 12 5 20 50
28 7 10 35 5 59 50
26 10 10 18 5 33 50
29 12 10 31 5 17 50
Average 10 24 5 32 50
1 = refers to original fluid being displaced
2 = refers to slug fluid displacing original fluid
3 = refers to fluid displacing slug
with distance was determined. Using this rate of
growth (for the 95 per cent point) it was possible
to use the correlation obtained for the open model
to determine the apparent mobility ratio necessary
to cause the frontal distortion actually exhibited.
Table 4 contains results of these calculations for
slugs of 5-, 7-, 10- and 12-in. in length. It will be
noted that in all of these runs, the apparent mobility
ratios between displaced fluid and slug were much
greater than the actual ratios. The average for all
of the runs was 24: 1, rather than the 10 which
actually existed. Similarly, the mobility ratios be-
tween the slug and displacing fluid gave apparent
value s ranging from 17 to 59, with an average of
32, compared with the actual value of 5. The over-
all mobility ratio between the displaced fluid and
the displacing fluid was 50: 1. If the slug size or
width were zero, the data would represent an actual
and apparent mobility ratio of 50: 1. The fact that
apparent mobility ratios were between 5 and 50 for
the front between the slug and displacing fluid, and
between 10 and 50 for the front between the dis-
placed fluid and the slug, shows that with the slug
sizes used the displaced fluid did have an effect on
the slug-displacing fluid front and that the displacing
fluid did have an effect on the displaced fluid-slug
front. It would be anticipated that the apparent
mobility ratio required to predict finger growth in a
miscible slug process would be a function of slug
length. However, the data obtained are not suffi-
ciently accurate to show any definite trend.
Similar results were obtained for miscible slug
runs carried out in the packed model. The evaluation
of the packed model miscible slug runs is shown in
Table 5. It will be noted that in all runs except
Run 46, the apparent mobility ratios between the
displaced fluid and the slug fluid were all greater
than the actual ratio of 5. The average ratio for the
three runs was 6.4. The apparent mobility ratios
between the slug and the displacing fluid ranged
from 4.5 to 10, whereas the actual value was 2.
The average for the four runs was 6.9. The slug
lengths for these runs ranged from 4.5 to 29 in.
Apparently, these slugs were not long enough to
prevent the displacing fluid from having an effect
upon the displaced-slug front and the displaced
JUNE, 19,63
TABLE 5 - APPARENT MOBILITY RATIOS REQUIRED
TO PREDICT FINGERING EXHIBITED DURING MISCIBLE
SLUG DISPLACEMENT IN 80-MESH BEAD PACKED MODEL
Mobility Ratio Mobil ity Ratio
Over-all
Slug Mobility
Run Length
fLl/fL2 /12//13
Ratio
No.
~
Act. Apparent Act. Apparent
J!:J!J!:L
45 4.5 5 7.4 2 4.5 10
44 7.0 5 6.0 2 10.0 10
43 14.0 5 5.8 2 7.3 10
46 29.0 5 1.5 2 5.8 10
Average 5 6.4* 2 6.9 10
* Disregarding Run 46, which is obviously in error
Note: 1 = refers to original fluid being displaced
2 = refers to slug fluid displacing original fluid
3 = refers to fluid displacing slug
fluid from having an effect upon the slug-displacing
fluid front. These results do not allow any definite
conclusions with regard to a method for calculating
the apparent mobility ratio required to predict finger
growth and breakthrough in the miscible slug process.
Considerable additional study to determine such a
relationship would be very valuable in predicting
the success of a miscible slug displacement process.
CONCL USIONS
Viscous fingering occurs during a miscible dis-
placement involving unfavorable mobility ratios.
The initial formation of the viscous finger results
from some local heterogeneity in the model. The
following are conclusions reached from a study of
the results of displacements carried out in an open
Hele-Shaw model using displacement velocities from
0.1 to 4 ft/hr and mobility ratios from 1 to 91 and
in a packed Hele-Shaw model containing SO-mesh
glass beads using displacement velocities from
0.06 to 0.2 ft/hr and mobility ratios from 1 to 9.3.
1. The lengths of 20 elements of the front con-
taining viscous fingers are distributed normally
about the average position of the combined elements,
regardless of front position, displacement velocity,
mobility ratio, or packing. This normal distribution
serves to characterize the viscous fingers obtained.
2_ The length of the viscous fingers, as obtained
from the normal distribution of elements, increased
linearly with the distance displaced relative to the
point at which the fingers began.
3. The point at which fingering began could not
be predicted and was sometimes several inches
from the point of injection with either positive or
apparently negative coordinates.
4. When using a packed model, the rate of growth
of the fingers with distance appeared to decrease
after 2 to 3 feet. This indicates that microscopic
dispersion or diffusion may be becoming effective
in diminishing the viscous fingering effect in this
model.
5. The rate of growth of the fingers was not altered
by altering their initial shape and frequency.
6. The length of the viscous fingers (or frontal
distortion) increases with displacement velocity for
143
both the open and packed models. However, the
effect of velocity was much greater for the packed
model studies.
7. The effect of increased mobility ratio is to
increase the length of the viscous finger (or frontal
distortion). The form of the dependence of finger
growth upon mobility ratio was different in the open
model from that in the packed model, indicating
that the packing is an important variable.
8. The apparent mobility ratios exhibited between
the displaced fluid and miscible slug and between
the miscible slug and displacing fluid during mis-
cible slug displacements are much greater than the
actual mobility ratios, regardless of whether the
displacement is carried out in the onen or packed
model. In other words, fingering which occurs during
a miscible slug process is much greater than would
be anticipated from consideration of mobility ratios
at either of the fronts.
9. Results obtained during the early stages of a
miscible displacement in the model were of little
use in predicting the fingering which would occur
throughout the length of the 4-ft model. This is due
to the unpredictability of the point of finger concep-
tion. Cortect scaling of a model for the prediction
of viscous fingering in a field would require scaling
of the point of viscous finger initiation. Therefore,
results which have been published for fingering
which occurs in a 9-in. or 12-in. or any other small
144
model are not reliable in predicting finger size in a
bigger model. Furthermore, there were indications
that the rate of finger growth was diminishing toward
the end of the present model displacement, meaning
that the results obtained in this model should not
be extrapolated beyond present model dimensions.
REFERENCES
1. Habermann, B.: "The Efficiencies of Miscible Dis-
placement as a Function of Mobility Ratio", Trans.,
AlME (1960) Vol. 219, 264.
2. Lacey, J. W., Faris, J. E. and Brinkman, F. H.:
"Effect of Bank Size on Oil Recovery in the High
Pressure Gas-Driven LPG-Bank Process", Jaw.
Pet. Tech. (Aug., 1961) 806.
3. Weinang, C. F. and Ling, D.: U.S. Patent No.
2,867,277 (Jan. 6, 1959).
4. Chuoke, R. L.: "Character of the Equilibrium of
Stratified Viscous Fluids in Slow Flow Through
Uniform Channels", Bull. Amer. Phys. Soc. (Feb.
24, 1956) Sec. n, Vol. 1.
5. Scheidegger, A. E.: "Fluid Instabilities in Porous
Media", The Physics of Fluids (1960) Vol. 3, 94.
6. Taylor, G. and Saffman, P. G.: "A Note on the Motion
of Bubbles in a Hele-Shaw Cell and Porous Medium",
Quarterly Jour. of Mech. and Appl. Math. (Aug., 1959)
xn, Part 3, 265.
7. Saffman, P. G. and Taylor, G.: "The Penetration of
a Fluid into a Porous Medium or Hele-Shaw Cell
Containing a More Viscous Liquid", Proc. Roy. Soc.
(1958) A245, 312. ***
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