Multidimensional Velocity-Based Model of Formation Permeability Damage: Validation, Damage Characterization, and Field Application

Abstract

Abstract The loss of injectivity in produced water and seawater injectors due to formation plugging is well documented in the literature. Reliable modeling of the permeability loss is the key to the analysis of field data and to design and economics of projects. Standard formulation of damage mechanics is based on the classical deep bed filtration (concentration-based) model, which requires two parameters: filtration coefficient λ and formation damage coefficient β. Determinationof these paramteters is expensive and difficult. Moreover, the model is not easily implemented in reservoir simulators. This paper presents an alternative approach to modeling damage based on the formulation proposed by Bachman et al. (SPE 79695). The numerical implementation and validation of this empirical, velocity-based model is extended to two dimensions. The model was extended to 2-D flow and validated by a comparison with the deep bed filtration model. The velocity model gives remarkably accurate approximation to the more complex concentration model. Unique relation between the parameters of the two models was found, and used to develop a new methodology to characterize damage by matching lab or field data. Application of the model to the published data from offshore Gulf of Mexico is presented. The velocity method allows more accurate history matching and the damage characterization by history matching yields parameters close to those measured.