Modelling of external filter cake profile along the well during drilling
Azim Kalantariasl A , Abbas Zeinijahromi A and Pavel Bedrikovetsky AThe University of Adelaide
The APPEA Journal 54(1) 319-328 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ13032
Published: 2014
Abstract
This paper presents a new mathematical model to predict the steady-state external filter cake thickness distribution and velocity profile along the wellbore during overbalanced drilling. Several models have been suggested for the prediction of external cake thickness using the force balance method. Yet, a comprehensive literature survey reveals that electrostatic forces and the permeate force correction factor have been neglected, while both can significantly change the conditions of particle detachment from the cake surface. Torque balance of hydrodynamic (lifting, tangential and permeate drag), gravity and electrostatic (DLVO) forces along with Darcy’s law and material balance is used to investigate the conditions of particle attachment/detachment on the cake surface. The results show strong effects of mud chemistry, particle size, cake permeability, tangential flow velocity, overbalance pressure, and Young’s modulus on the external filter cake thickness and velocity profile. The mathematical model can be applied as a predictive tool for the estimation of filter cake thickness. It allows for the calculation of external filter cake distribution using the physiochemical properties of mud and particles.
Azim Kalantariasl is presently a PhD candidate at the University of Adelaide’s Australian School of Petroleum. He has worked as a lecturer at Azad University’s petroleum engineering department (Iran), and as a reservoir engineer at the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC). His main areas of research are formation damage and injectivity decline, low salinity water flooding, and gas production engineering. Azim has a MSc in hydrocarbon reservoir engineering from Tehran University (Iran), and a BSc in reservoir engineering from the Petroleum University of Technology, Ahwaz, Iran. azim.kalantariasl@adelaide.edu.au |
Abbas Zeinijahromi is presently a lecturer at the University of Adelaide’s petroleum engineering department in the Australian School of Petroleum. Abbas is carrying out theoretical work, experimental studies and reservoir simulation of formation damage and improved oil recovery (IOR). He holds a PhD in petroleum engineering from the University of Adelaide, a MSc in reservoir engineering from Azad University of Tehran (Iran), and a BSc in production engineering from the Petroleum University of Technology of Abadan-Ahwaz, Iran. abbas.zeinijahromi@adelaide.edu.au |
Pavel Bedrikovetsky is an author of two books in reservoir engineering and has published 150 technical papers in international journals and SPE. His research covers formation damage and IOR. Pavel holds a MSc in applied mathematics, a PhD in fluid mechanics, and a DSc in reservoir engineering from Moscow Oil-Gas Gubkin University. From 1991–94 Pavel was a visiting professor at Delft University of Technology and at the Imperial College of Science and Technology. Since 1994, Pavel has been a Petrobras staff consultant. Presently, Pavel holds the Chair in Petroleum Engineering at the University of Adelaide. He has served as a Section Chairman, short course instructor, key speaker and Steering Committee member at several SPE conferences. Pavel was a 2008–2009 SPE Distinguished Lecturer. pavel.bedrikovetski@adelaide.edu.au |
