Abstract
Abrasive waterjet (AWJ) fracturing has become an accepted horizontal multistage stimulation technique due to its flexibility and high efficiency of extensive fracture placement. The downhole tool failure of AWJ fracturing becomes an issue in the massive hydraulic fracturing because of high velocity and proppant erosion. This paper proposed a 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-based erosion model by considering high-velocity waterjet impact, proppant shear erosion, and specific inner structure of hydra-jet tool body. The discrete phase approach was used to track the proppant transport and its concentration distribution. Field observation provides strong evidence of erosion patterns and mechanisms obtained from CFD simulation. The results show that the erosion rate has a space dependence in the inner wall of the tool body. The severe erosion areas are primarily located at the entries of the nozzle. Evident erosion patterns are found including a ‘Rabbit’s ear’ erosion at the upper-layer nozzles and a half bottom loop erosion at the lower-layer nozzles. Erosion mechanisms attribute to high flow velocity at the entry of nozzles and the inertia force of proppant. Sensitivity analysis demonstrates that the pumping rate is a primary factor contributing to erosion intensity.
Highlights
Abrasive waterjet (AWJ) fracturing stimulation, called hydra-jet fracturing, has been accepted as an effective and efficient for horizontal multistage well completion (Huang et al 2017)
Abrasive waterjet downhole tool is one of the key components that consist of a tool body, nozzles, a Edited by Yan-Hua Sun
The erosion distribution of the lowerlayer nozzles is more even than that of the upper-layer nozzles. Those may be one of reasons that the average erosion rate is maximum at the lower nozzles
Summary
Abrasive waterjet (AWJ) fracturing stimulation, called hydra-jet fracturing, has been accepted as an effective and efficient for horizontal multistage well completion (Huang et al 2017). Major technical advantages include the integration of AWJ perforation and fracturing, hydraulic isolation capacity, pinpoint fracture initiation, unlimited stages, and high efficiency (Surjaatmadja et al 1998; Li et al 2004; Huang et al 2008). Abrasive waterjet downhole tool is one of the key components that consist of a tool body, nozzles, a Edited by Yan-Hua Sun. The failure cases of AWJ downhole tools have been reported from field observations and laboratory tests (Surjaatmadja et al 2008; Li et al 2010). Surjaatmadja et al (1998) designed a new structure of the AWJ tool to resist serious erosion under downhole by adjusting the nozzle axial direction. Surjaatmadja et al (1998) designed a new structure of the AWJ tool to resist serious erosion under downhole by adjusting the nozzle axial direction. Huang et al (2014) explained the reasons
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