A technical note on measurement of viscous fingering in steam extraction of heavy oils

The formation of stable viscous fingers in steam displacement of heavy oils in porous sandstone is investigated. Using a laboratory core 1.8 metres long and 10 cm in diameter the development of long fingers is monitored using a new electromagnetic technique. A description of this technique is given. It was found that large scale viscous fingers exist in steam extraction of heavy oils in a porous media.