Modelling of Permeability Changes in Argillaceous Sandstones Due to Fluid Injection

Abstract

Injection of formation water can cause formation damage due to the migration of fines, clay swelling, gas bubble formation, as well as the precipitation and dissolution of minerals. Because the injected water has approximately the same chemical characteristics as the production water, fines migration and gas bubbles will be the main sources of formation damage. The near vicinity of the well will be most affected. A regional reservoir study was conducted to evaluate the potential for geothermal energy production. Percolation experiments are being carried out in France and The Netherlands on core plugs from relevant geothermal reservoir formations to study the effects of fines migration. The results of field tests in Germany and The Netherlands together with the results of the percolation experiments, are being used to model and simulate the formation damage process on plug-, well- and field scale.