Reservoir Engineering Evaluation of Water Rock Compatibility and Permeability Damage in PX Field
Compatibility Injection Water and Reservoir
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29017/scog.v49i1.1955Keywords:
Waterflooding, Reservoir Rock Compatibility, Injection Water, Fine Migration, Formation DamageAbstract
Compatibility between injection fluids and reservoir rocks is a crucial factor in the success of waterflooding operations, particularly in reservoirs with complex characteristics. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate injection water–reservoir rock compatibility from a reservoir engineering perspective, focusing on permeability impairment mechanisms associated with fine migration and suspended solids during water injection in the PX Field. Rock samples were obtained from a selected formation, while injection water was collected from the Water Injection Plant (WIP). Laboratory experiments were conducted by injecting both Total Suspended Solids (TSS)-free water and water containing TSS into 1.5-inch core plugs positioned vertically in a Hassler-type core holder under an overburden pressure of 1,725 psi, backpressure of 250 psi, and room temperature conditions. Moreover, the injection water viscosity during the process of the experiment was 0.95 cP. The results showed a pronounced permeability reduction of up to 98% in the PX Field sample. The permeability decline occurred rapidly and intermittently in distinct stages, which initially proposed clay swelling as a possible mechanism. However, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis presented negligible smectite content, excluding clay swelling as the dominant cause of damage. Permeability impairment was primarily attributed to pore blockage from fine migration and suspended particles, as supported by particle size distribution (PSD) and TSS analyses. These results showed the importance of comprehensive rock–fluid compatibility evaluation before water injection implementation to minimize formation damage and optimize waterflooding performance.
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