Oilfield chemical-formation interaction and the effects on petrophysical properties: a review

Abstract

Oil and gas recovery may cause formation damage during drilling, completion, and production phases. As a result of fundamental chemical, thermal, mechanical, and biological interactions, formation damage can occur due to impairment of permeability and porosity, causing undesirable operational and economic problem. The fluid-rock interactions resulting from oilfield chemicals injection during drilling, enhanced oil recovery (EOR) such as chemical flooding, or formation treatment could negatively impact on the formation properties such as geomechanical and geochemical, leading to alteration of the rock’s petrophysical properties. These chemical-rock interactions induce changes in both pore space geometry and rock strength. The resultant impact includes weakening of the formation bonding materials, formation damage, reduced production and consequently sand production simultaneously with reservoir fluids. It is therefore critical to evaluate these variables prior to designing any geo-sequestration, reservoir stimulation or EOR projects. Studies have shown that rock properties, especially permeability, porosity and strength, are altered or damaged during drilling, cementing, perforating, producing, stimulating, and injecting water or chemicals for EOR. Petroleum companies are likely to suffer significant financial losses due to this. This study provides a review on the influence of oilfield chemical-formation interactions on the formation rock properties both geophysical and mechanical, leading to formation damage and sand production. This study aims to provide researchers with a single document that gives insight and new perspectives on oilfield chemical-rock interactions through compilation of recent studies relating to the effect of chemical-rock interactions on rock's petrophysical properties, as well as geomechanical properties due to geochemical reactions that cause formation damage and eventually sand production. Having a solid understanding of fluid-rock interactions and how they impact petrophysical properties and cause formation damage is essential in predicting sand production and would help in minimizing economic losses, downtime and technicalities.