Home Petroleum Science Article
PDF (2.5 MB)
Cite
EndNote(RIS) BibTeX
Collect
Submit Manuscript
Show Outline
Outline
Abstract
Keywords
References
Show full outline
Hide outline
Original Paper | Open Access

Experimental study on the degree and damage-control mechanisms of fuzzy-ball-induced damage in single and multi-layer commingled tight reservoirs

Chinedu J. Okerea,b(), James J. Shenga,b, Li-Kun Fanc, Xiao-Wei Huangd, Li-Hui Zhengb(), Pan-Feng Weid
Bob L. Herd Department of Petroleum Engineering, Texas Tech University, TX, USA
College of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing, 102249, China
China Changqing Oilfield Company, CNPC, Xi'an, 710018, Shaanxi, China
Beijing LihuiLab Energy Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing, 102200, China

Edited by Jia-Jia Fei

Show Author Information

Abstract

Fuzzy-ball working fluids (FBWFs) have been successfully applied in different development phases of tight reservoirs. Field reports revealed that FBWFs satisfactorily met all the operational and reservoir damage control requirements during their application. However, the damage-control mechanisms and degree of formation damage caused by fuzzy-ball fluids have not been investigated in lab-scale studies so far. In this study, the degree of fuzzy-ball-induced damage in single-and double-layer reservoirs was evaluated through core flooding experiments that were based on permeability and flow rate indexes. Additionally, its damage mechanisms were observed via scanning electron microscope and energy-dispersive spectroscopy tests. The results show that: (1) For single-layer reservoirs, the FBWF induced weak damage on coals and medium-to-weak damage on sandstones, and the difference of the damage in permeability or flow rate index on coals and sandstones is below 1%. Moreover, the minimum permeability recovery rate was above 66%. (2) For double-layer commingled reservoirs, the flow rate index revealed weak damage and the overall damage in double-layer was lower than the single-layer reservoirs. (3) There is no significant alteration in the microscopic structure of fuzzy-ball saturated cores with no evidence of fines migration. The dissolution of lead and sulfur occurred in coal samples, while tellurium in sandstone, aluminum, and magnesium in carbonate. However, the precipitation of aluminum, magnesium, and sodium occurred in sandstone but no precipitates found in coal and carbonate. The temporal plugging and dispersion characteristics of the FBWFs enable the generation of reservoir protection layers that will minimize formation damage due to solid and fluid invasion.

Keywords

DrillingFractureFuzzy-ball fluidsFormation damage analysisMuti-layer tight reservoirsPermeability damage indexFlow rate damage index

References

 
Al-Ajmi, A., Al-Rushoud, A., Gohain, A., Khatib, F.I., Al-Gharib, M., Al-Ajmi, A., Al-Mekhlef, A.M., Mustafa, M.A.H., Mago, A., 2017. Drilling and completion fluids customization to achieve maximum well productivity in lower Burgan reservoir, case study from Kuwait field. In: Society of Petroleum Engineers-SPE/IATMI Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition. Jakarta, Indonesia. https://doi.org/10.2118/187025-MS.
Crossref
 

Awan, F.U.R., Keshavarz, A., Akhondzadeh, H., Al-Anssari, S., Al-Yaseri, A., Nosrati, A., Ali, M., Iglauer, S., 2020. Stable dispersion of coal fines during hydraulic fracturing flowback in coal seam gas reservoirs-an experimental study. Energy Fuel. 34 (5), 5566-5577. https://doi.org/10.1021/ACS.ENERGYFUELS.0C00045.

Crossref Google Scholar
 

Bai, Y., 2019. A new quantitative evaluation method for development area selection of tight gas and CBM commingled production. Nat. Gas. Ind. B 6 (2), 103-108. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.NGIB.2018.09.001.

Crossref Google Scholar
 

Bourg, I.C., Ajo-Franklin, J.B., 2017. Clay, water, and salt: controls on the permeability of fine-grained sedimentary rocks. Acc. Chem. Res. 50 (9), 2067-2074. https://doi.org/10.1021/ACS.ACCOUNTS.7B00261.

Crossref Google Scholar
 

Byrne, M.T., Patey, I.T.M., Twynam, A.J., 2000. A laboratory drilling mud overbalance formation damage study utilising cryogenic SEM techniques. Proceedings - SPE International Symposium on Formation Damage Control, 295-303. https://doi.org/10.2118/58738-MS.

Crossref Google Scholar
 

Chagneau, A., Claret, F., Enzmann, F., Kersten, M., Heck, S., Madé, B., Schäfer, T., 2015. Mineral precipitation-induced porosity reduction and its effect on transport parameters in diffusion-controlled porous media. Geochem. Trans. 16 (1), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1186/S12932-015-0027-Z.

Crossref Google Scholar
 

Chen, M., Zhao, H., Fang, H., Zhang, Y., 2017. Cross-sectional information on pore structure and element distribution of sediment particles by SEM and EDS. Scanning, 9876935. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/9876935.

Crossref Google Scholar
 

Chima, P., Baiyegunhi, C., Liu, K., Gwavava, O., 2018. Diagenesis and rock properties of sandstones from the stormberg group, karoo supergroup in the eastern cape province of South Africa. Open Geosci. 10 (1), 740-771. https://doi.org/10.1515/GEO-2018-0059.

Crossref Google Scholar
 
Civan, F., 2007. Formation damage mechanisms and their phenomenological modeling- an overview. In: Society of Petroleum Engineers - European Formation Damage Conference. Scheveningen, Netherlands. https://doi.org/10.2118/107857-MS.
Crossref
 

Dang, W., Zhang, H., Ye, C., Zhang, N., Li, Y., 2022. Research on damage prevention drilling fluid of hutubi built in low pressure and water-sensitive reservoir. J. Petrochem. Univ. 35 (1), 75-80. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1006-396X.2022.01.012 (in Chinese).

Crossref Google Scholar
 

de Assumpcão Pereira-da-Silva, M., Ferri, F.A., 2017. Scanning electron microscopy. Nanocharacterization Techniques, 1-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-49778-7.00001-1.

Crossref Google Scholar
 

Ding, J., Yan, C., He, Y., Wang, C., 2019. Secondary formation damage of low-pressure layer during commingled production in multilayered tight gas reservoirs. Sci. Rep. 9 (1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-53940-6.

Crossref Google Scholar
 

Guo, X., Xu, P., Xu, M., Cai, J., Huang, T., He, M., 2020. Formation protection method of oil-based drilling fluid for deep fractured tight gas reservoir. Energy Sci. Eng. 8 (10), 3682-3701. https://doi.org/10.1002/ESE3.775.

Crossref Google Scholar
 

Halim, M.C., Hamidi, H., Akisanya, A.R., 2021. Minimizing formation damage in drilling operations: a critical point for optimizing productivity in sandstone reservoirs intercalated with clay. Energies 15 (1), 162. https://doi.org/10.3390/EN15010162.

Crossref Google Scholar
 

He, J., Okere, C.J., Su, G., Hu, P., Zhang, L., Xiong, W., Li, Z., 2021. Formation damage mitigation mechanism for coalbed methane wells via refracturing with Fuzzy-Ball fluid as temporary blocking agents. J. Nat. Gas Sci. Eng. 90, 103956. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JNGSE.2021.103956.

Crossref Google Scholar
 

Huang, C., Zhao, F., Yuan, J., Wu, L., Chen, G., 2015. The characteristics of dolomite reservoir in saline lacustrine Basin, Qaidam, China. Carbonates Evaporites 31 (3), 307-317. https://doi.org/10.1007/S13146-015-0267-0.

Crossref Google Scholar
 

Huang, Y., Cheng, S., Yu, H., He, Y., Lin, B., Feng, N., 2017. A semi analytical approach to estimate fracture closure and formation damage of vertically fractured wells in tight gas reservoir. J. Petrol. Sci. Eng. 150, 85-90. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PETROL.2016.10.049.

Crossref Google Scholar
 

Huang, C., Yuan, X., Song, C., Yuan, J., Ni, X., Ma, X., Zhang, S., 2018. Characteristics, origin, and role of salt minerals in the process of hydrocarbon accumulation in the saline lacustrine basin of the Yingxi Area, Qaidam, China. Carbonates Evaporites 33 (3), 431-446. https://doi.org/10.1007/S13146-017-0350-9.

Crossref Google Scholar
 

Katende, A., Sagala, F., 2019. A critical review of low salinity water flooding: mechanism, laboratory and field application. J. Mol. Liq. 278, 627-649. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MOLLIQ.2019.01.037.

Crossref Google Scholar
 
Kumar, T., Todd, A.C., 1988. A new approach for mathematical modeling of formation damage due to invasion of solid suspensions. In: Society of Petroleum Engineers-SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition. Houston, Texas. https://doi.org/10.2118/18203-MS.
Crossref
 

Larestani, A., Mousavi, S.P., Hadavimoghaddam, F., Hemmati-Sarapardeh, A., 2022. Predicting formation damage of oil fields due to mineral scaling during water-flooding operations: gradient boosting decision tree and cascade-forward back-propagation network. J. Petrol. Sci. Eng. 208, 109315. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PETROL.2021.109315.

Crossref Google Scholar
 

Liang, T., Gu, F., Yao, E., Zhang, L., Yang, K., Liu, G., Zhou, F., 2017. Formation damage due to drilling and fracturing fluids and its solution for tight naturally fractured sandstone reservoirs. Geofluids 2017, 9350967. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/9350967.

Crossref Google Scholar
 

Lin, Z., Huang, J., Ma, C., 2017. Synthesis and performance of cationic plugging agent used in water-based drilling fluid. Journal of Liaoning Petrochemical University 37 (4), 11-14. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1672-6952.2017.04.003 (in Chinese).

Crossref Google Scholar
 

Lin, C., Kang, Y., Xu, C., You, L., Zhang, Z., Tan, Q., 2020. An engineered formation-damage-control drill-In fluid technology for deep-fractured tight-sandstone oil reservoir in northern Tarim Basin. SPE Drill. Complet. 35 (1), 26-37. https://doi.org/10.2118/198915-PA.

Crossref Google Scholar
 

Liu, H., Su, G., Okere, C.J., Li, G., Wang, X., Cai, Y., Wu, T., Zheng, L., 2022. Working fluid-induced formation damage evaluation for commingled production of multi-layer natural gas reservoirs with flow rate method. Energy 239, 122107. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ENERGY.2021.122107.

Crossref Google Scholar
 

Okere, C.J., Su, G., Zheng, L., Cai, Y., Li, Z., Liu, H., 2020. Experimental, algorithmic, and theoretical analyses for selecting an optimal laboratory method to evaluate working fluid damage in coal bed methane reservoirs. Fuel 282 (15), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2020.118513.

Crossref Google Scholar
 

Potysz, A., Bartz, W., 2022. Bioweathering of minerals and dissolution assessment by experimental simulations—implications for sandstone rocks: a review. Construct. Build. Mater. 316, 125862. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CONBUILDMAT.2021.125862.

Crossref Google Scholar
 

Scimeca, M., Bischetti, S., Lamsira, H.K., Bonfiglio, R., Bonanno, E., 2018. Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) microanalysis: a powerful tool in biomedical research and diagnosis. Eur. J. Histochem. 62 (1), 89-99. https://doi.org/10.4081/EJH.2018.2841.

Crossref Google Scholar
 

Shafiq, M.U., Mahmud, H.B., 2017. Sandstone matrix acidizing knowledge and future development. J. Pet. Explor. Prod. Technol. 7 (4), 1205-1216. https://doi.org/10.1007/S13202-017-0314-6.

Crossref Google Scholar
 
Sokolov, S.A., Kelm, E.A., Milovanov, R.A., Abdullaev, D.A., Sidorov, L.N., 2016. Nondestructive determination of thickness of the dielectric layers using EDX. In: Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers - SPIE International Conference on Micro- and Nano-Electronics, Zvenigorod, Russia. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2265570.
Crossref
 

Sui, W., Zhu, D., 2012. Determining multilayer formation properties from transient temperature and pressure measurements in gas wells with commingled zones. J. Nat. Gas Sci. Eng. 9, 60-72. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JNGSE.2012.05.010.

Crossref Google Scholar
 

Tan, Q., You, L., Kang, Y., Xu, C., 2021. Formation damage mechanisms in tight carbonate reservoirs: the typical illustrations in Qaidam Basin and Sichuan Basin, China. J. Nat. Gas Sci. Eng. 95, 104193. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JNGSE.2021.104193.

Crossref Google Scholar
 

Tao, X., Okere, C.J., Su, G., Zheng, L., 2022. Experimental and theoretical evaluation of interlayer interference in multi-layer commingled gas production of tight gas reservoirs. J. Petrol. Sci. Eng. 208, 109731. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PETROL.2021.109731.

Crossref Google Scholar
 
Ur Rahman Awan, F., Keshavarz, A., Akhondzadeh, H., Nosrati, A., Al-Anssari, S., Iglauer, S., 2019. Optimizing the dispersion of coal fines using sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate. In: Society of Petroleum Engineers - SPE/AAPG/SEG Asia Pacific Unconventional Resources Technology Conference. Brisbane, Australia. https://doi.org/10.15530/AP-URTEC-2019-198250.
Crossref
 

Wang, J., Zheng, L., Zhang, Y., Deng, J., Zhang, R., 2016. Piston-like plugging of fuzzy-ball workover fluids for controlling and killing lost circulation of gas wells. Nat. Gas. Ind. B3 (1), 77-81. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.NGIB.2015.12.011.

Crossref Google Scholar
 

Wang, L., Yang, S., Peng, X., Deng, H., Meng, Z., Qian, K., Wang, Z., Lei, H., 2018. An improved visual investigation on gas–water flow characteristics and trapped gas formation mechanism of fracture–cavity carbonate gas reservoir. J. Nat. Gas Sci. Eng. 49, 213-226. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JNGSE.2017.11.010.

Crossref Google Scholar
 

Wang, Z., Qiu, Y., Guo, P., Du, J., Liu, H., Hu, Y., Zeng, F., 2019. Experimental investigation of the damage mechanisms of drilling mud in fractured tight gas reservoir. J. Energy Resour. Technol. 141 (9), 092907. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4043247.

Crossref Google Scholar
 
Wei, P., Zheng, L., Yang, M., Chen, Y., 2018. The application of fuzzy-ball drilling fluid to deepwater drilling to deal with highly mineralized formation brines and low-temperature environment. In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering. Madrid, Spain. https://doi.org/10.1115/OMAE2018-78518.
Crossref
 

Wei, P., Zheng, L., Yang, M., Wang, C., Chang, Q., Zhang, W., 2020. Fuzzy-ball fluid self-selective profile control for enhanced oil recovery in heterogeneous reservoirs: the techniques and the mechanisms. Fuel 275, 117959. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FUEL.2020.117959.

Crossref Google Scholar
 

Wetzel, M., Kempka, T., Kühn, M., 2020. Hydraulic and mechanical impacts of pore space alterations within a sandstone quantified by a flow velocity-dependent precipitation approach. Materials 13 (14), 3100. https://doi.org/10.3390/MA13143100.

Crossref Google Scholar
 

Wuyep, E.O., Oluyemi, G.F., Yates, K., Akisanya, A.R., 2020. Evaluation of interactions between oilfield chemicals and reservoir rocks. Nat. Resour. Res. 29 (2), 1239-1258. https://doi.org/10.1007/S11053-019-09523-3.

Crossref Google Scholar
 
Yang, G., Honglan, Z., He, L., Jianwen, Y., Qinghai, Y., Fuchao, S., 2013. Technique of water control and oil recovery based on water plugging combined with fracturing in low permeability and high water cut oilfield. In: Society of Petroleum Engineers-SPE Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition, Jakarta, Indonesia. https://doi.org/10.2118/165863-MS.
Crossref
 

Yang, C., Tang, Y., Kang, H., Gou, M., Yu, X., 2021. Occurrence of minerals in coal and its geological controlling factors—significance in evaluation of coal washability. ACS Omega 6 (38), 24362-24376. https://doi.org/10.1021/ACSOMEGA.1C02522.

Crossref Google Scholar
 

Yuan, B., Wood, D.A., 2018. A comprehensive review of formation damage during enhanced oil recovery. J. Petrol. Sci. Eng. 167, 287-299. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PETROL.2018.04.018.

Crossref Google Scholar
 

Zhang, Y., Su, G., Zheng, L., Liu, D., Guo, Z., Wei, P., 2019. The environmental friendliness of fuzzy-ball drilling fluids during their entire life-cycles for fragile ecosystems in coalbed methane well plants. J. Hazard Mater. 364, 396-405. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JHAZMAT.2018.10.021.

Crossref Google Scholar
 

Zheng, L.H., Kong, L., Cao, Y., Wang, H., Han, Z., 2012. A new fuzzy ball working fluid for plugging lost circulation paths in depleted reservoirs. Petrol. Sci. Technol. 30 (24), 2517-2530. https://doi.org/10.1080/10916461003792286.

Crossref Google Scholar
 

Zheng, L., Chen, B., Zheng, Z., Tang, J., Hao, S., 2016. Anti-collapse mechanism of the cbm fuzzy-ball drilling fluid. Nat. Gas. Ind. B 3 (2), 152-157. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ngib.2016.03.011.

Crossref Google Scholar
 

Zheng, L., Wei, P., Zhang, Z., Nie, S., Lou, X., Cui, K., Fu, Y., 2017. Joint exploration and development: a self-salvation road to sustainable development of unconventional oil and gas resources. Nat. Gas. Ind. B 4 (6), 477-490. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ngib.2017.09.010.

Crossref Google Scholar
 

Zheng, L., Su, G., Li, Z., Peng, R., Wang, L., Wei, P., Han, S., 2018. The wellbore instability control mechanism of fuzzy ball drilling fluids for coal bed methane wells via bonding formation. J. Nat. Gas Sci. Eng. 56, 107-120. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JNGSE.2018.05.008.

Crossref Google Scholar
 

Zheng, L., Tao, X., Wei, P., Wu, T., Liu, H., Cao, Z., 2021. Multi-reservoir production damage physical simulation system and its application in coal-measure gas production. J. China Coal Soc. 46 (8), 2501-2509. https://doi.org/10.13225/j.cnki.jccs.CB21.0808 (in Chinese).

Crossref Google Scholar
 
Zhu, Q., Wang, Y., Zhang, Y., Wang, Z., Wang, Z., Liu, C., 2018. Successful applications of a novel compound lost circulation additive with variable structure. In: Society of Petroleum Engineers - SPE Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Annual Technical Symposium and Exhibition. Dammam, Saudi Arabia. https://doi.org/10.2118/192403-MS.
Crossref
Petroleum Science
Volume 20 Issue 6,
December 2023
Pages 3598-3609
DOI: 10.1016/j.petsci.2023.05.017
Cite this article:
Okere CJ, Sheng JJ, Fan L-K, et al. Experimental study on the degree and damage-control mechanisms of fuzzy-ball-induced damage in single and multi-layer commingled tight reservoirs. Petroleum Science, 2023, 20(6): 3598-3609. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petsci.2023.05.017
Metrics & Citations  
Article History
Copyright
Rights and Permissions
Return