Investigation of the Simultaneous Effect of Flow Rate and Water Salinity on Kaolinite Mobilization in Sand

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

1 Institute of Petroleum Engineering, University of Port Harcourt

2 Department of Petroleum and Gas Engineering, University of Port Harcourt

3 Institute of Petroleum Studies, University of Port Harcourt

Abstract

There are several factors that trigger particle migration of kaolinite clays in hydrocarbon formations of which two primary factors are high flow rate and low water salinity. Studies on fines migration by low water salinity and flow rate have been conducted separately, but in reservoirs, these factors work together; not in isolation. Hence, this work aims at experimentally studying flow rate and water salinity in combination as factors that trigger particle migration in unconsolidated sand. Kaolinite clay obtained from Umulu/Ngwugwo deposit in Ibere, Ikwuano local Government Area of Abia State in Nigeria was used to study the combined effect of flow rate and water salinity in fines mobilization. The experiments were conducted for flow rates of 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9ml/min and water salinity values of 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20g/l. Experimental results show that the likely critical water salinity value and flow rate that mobilizes clayey fines within the boundaries of this work is 15g/l and 7ml/min respectively. It is speculated that at various stages, one factor could dominate the flow more than the other. Up-scaling these results to field conditions that have the same characteristics as the ones used in laboratory studies is the ultimate benefit of this kind of study.

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