The combination of matrix acidizing experiments with visualization techniques is commonly used to elucidate the details of wormhole networks formed during matrix acidizing of carbonate reservoir rock. Previous experimental studies of wormhole growth have focused mainly on small linear core plugs, with only a limited number of radial flow studies published in the literature. Results from these conventional experiments have provided extensive information on linear wormhole growth in one dimension (1-D) along with some basic insights into radial growth mechanisms in 2-D. However, larger-scale test systems must be considered if 3-D wormhole characteristics are to be understood. Toward that end, a new methodology has been developed which integrates (1) acidizing experiments on carbonate rock samples up to 14 ft3 in volume, (2) high-resolution nondestructive imaging and analysis, and (3) computational modeling to extend the results of experiments to field applications. This article highlights the experimental and imaging components of the methodology.
Technology Today Series articles are general, descriptive representations that summarize the state of the art in an area of technology by describing recent developments for readers who are not specialists in the topics discussed. Written by individuals recognized as experts in the area, these articles provide key references to more definitive work and present specific details only to illustrate the technology. Purpose: to inform the general readership of recent advances in various areas of petroleum engineering. Abstract Matrix acidizing experiments combined with visualization techniques commonly are used to study the details of wormhole networks formed during matrix acidizing of carbonate reservoir rock. Previous experimental studies of wormhole growth focused mainly on small linear core plugs, with only a limited number of radial-flow studies published in the literature. Results from these conventional experiments provided extensive information on linear 1D wormhole growth along with some basic insights into 2D radial growth mechanisms. However, larger-scale test systems must be considered if 3D wormhole characteristics are to be understood. Toward that end, a new method was developed that integrates acidizing experiments on carbonate rock samples up to 14 ft3 in volume, high-resolution nondestructive imaging and analysis, and computational modeling to extend the results of experiments to field applications. This article highlights the experimental and imaging components. Introduction Substantial hydrocarbon volumes have been and will continue to be produced from carbonate formations, which hold nearly half of the world's reserves. Because these formations are highly soluble in acid, matrix acid stimulation provides a cost-effective means to enhance well productivity. Effective acid stimulation can be critical to achieving the desired longterm production rates from targeted reservoir layers. Interaction of acids with carbonate rock has been studied extensively using quarried, outcrop, and formation core samples. Linear flow tests on core plugs are conducted to determine the optimum conditions to generate wormholes (i.e., highly conductive flow channels that connect the nearwell region to the completion). At a given temperature, the ability of a particular acid to generate wormholes is largely dependent on the acid injection rate or ’acid flux,?? as illustrated in Fig. 1. The figure shows an example of a ’wormhole efficiency curve?? developed for core plugs of quarried limestone. As the curve indicates, there is a certain optimal acid flux for which wormholes will most efficiently propagate along the main axis of the core plug.
SummaryCreating sufficient and sustained fracture conductivity contributes directly to the success of acid-fracturing treatments. The permeability and mineralogy distributions of formation rocks play significant roles in creating nonuniformly etched surfaces that can withstand high closure stress. Previous studies showed that, depending on the properties of formation rock and acidizing conditions (acid selection, formation temperature, injection rate, and contact time), a wide range of etching patterns (roughness, uniform, channeling) could be created that can dictate the resultant fracture conductivity. Insoluble minerals and their distribution can completely change the outcomes of acid-fracturing treatments. However, most experimental studies use homogeneous rock samples such as Indiana limestone that do not represent the highly heterogeneous features of carbonate rocks. This work studies the effect of heterogeneity and, more importantly, the distribution of insoluble rock on acid-fracture conductivity.In this research, we conducted acid-fracturing experiments using both homogeneous Indiana limestone samples and heterogeneous carbonate rock samples. The Indiana limestone tests served as a baseline. The highly heterogeneous carbonate rock samples contain several types of insoluble minerals such as quartz and various types of clays along sealed natural fractures. These minerals are distributed in the form of streaks correlated against the flow direction, or as smaller nodules. After acidizing the rock samples, these minerals acted as pillars that significantly reduced conductivity-decline rate at high closure stresses. Both X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) tests were performed to pinpoint the type and location of different minerals on the fracture surfaces. A surface profilometer was also used to correlate conductivity as a function of mineralogy distribution by comparing the surface scans from after the acidizing test to the scans after the conductivity test. Theoretical models considering geostatistical correlation parameters were used to match and understand the experimental results.Results of our study showed that insoluble minerals with higher-strength mechanical properties were not crushed at high-closure stress, resulting in a less-steep conductivity decline with an increasing closure stress. If the acid etching creates enough conductivity, the rock sample can sustain a higher closure stress with a much lower decline rate compared with Indiana limestone samples. Fracture surfaces with insoluble mineral streaks correlated against the flow direction offer the benefit of being able to maintain conductivity at high closure stress, but not necessarily high initial conductivity. Using a fracture-conductivity model with correlation length, we matched the fracture-conductivity behavior for the heterogeneous samples. Fracture surfaces with mineral streaks correlated with the flow direction could increase acid-fracturing conductivity significantly as compared to the case when the streak is correlated against the flow direction.The results of the study show that fracture conductivity can be optimized by taking advantage of the distribution of insoluble minerals along the fracture surface and demonstrate important considerations to make the acid-fracturing treatment successful.
Creating sufficient and sustained fracture conductivity contributes directly to the success of acid fracturing treatments. The permeability and mineralogy distributions of formation rocks play significant roles in creating non-uniformly etched surfaces that can withstand high closure stress. Previous studies showed that depending on the properties of formation rock and acidizing conditions (acid selection, formation temperature, injection rate and contact time), a wide range of etching patterns (roughness, uniform, channeling) could be created that can dictate the resultant fracture conductivity. Insoluble minerals and their distribution can completely change the outcomes of acid fracturing treatments. However, most experimental studies use homogeneous rock samples such as Indiana limestones that do not represent the highly-heterogeneous features of carbonate rocks. This work studies the effect of heterogeneity, and more importantly, the distribution of insoluble rock, on acid fracture conductivity. In this research, we conducted acid fracturing experiments using both homogeneous Indiana limestone samples and heterogeneous carbonate rock samples. The Indiana limestone tests served as a baseline. The highly-heterogeneous carbonate rock samples contain several types of insoluble minerals such as quartz and various types of clays along sealed natural fractures. These minerals are distributed in the form of streaks correlated against the flow direction, or as smaller nodules. After acidizing the rock samples, these minerals acted as pillars that significantly reduced conductivity decline rate at high closure stresses. Both X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) tests were done to pinpoint the type and location of different minerals on the fracture surfaces. A surface profilometer was also used to correlate conductivity as a function of mineralogy distribution by comparing the surface scans from after the acidizing test to the scans after the conductivity test. Theoretical models considering geostatistical correlation parameters were used to match and understand the experimental results. Results of this study showed that insoluble minerals with higher mechanical properties were not crushed at high closure stress, resulting in a less steep conductivity decline with increasing closure stress. If the acid etching creates enough conductivity, the rock sample can sustain a higher closure stress with a much lower decline rate compared with Indiana limestone samples. Fracture surfaces with insoluble mineral streaks correlated against the flow direction offer the benefit of being able to maintain conductivity at high closure stress, but not necessarily high initial conductivity. Using a fracture conductivity model with correlation length, we matched the fracture conductivity behavior for the heterogeneous samples. Fracture surfaces with mineral streaks correlated with the flow direction could increase acid fracturing conductivity significantly as compared to the case when the streak is correlated against the flow direction. The results of the study show that fracture conductivity can be optimized by taking advantage of the distribution of insoluble minerals along the fracture surface and demonstrate the important considerations to make the acid fracturing treatment successful.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.