In the waterflooding process of fine-grained silty sandstone reservoirs, fine particles frequently migrate toward near-wellbore regions, potentially plugging the sand control system. This migration leads to a decline in fluid production and diminished well productivity. Therefore, understanding the impact of particle transport on reservoir properties and the conditions governing particle migration is essential for optimizing waterflood management. Although considerable research has focused on the effects of particle transport on reservoir properties, few studies have quantified the conditions under which particle transport occurs, especially in field applications. To address this gap, we conducted laboratory experiments to explore the impact of particle transport on reservoir properties and proposed a method for characterizing these properties. A particle flow model was subsequently developed, followed by the formulation of particle transport conditions. Finally, the derived particle transport conditions were applied to the L58 block of Linpan Oilfield in the Jiyang Depression, Bohai Bay Basin, using an oil-water flow simulation program. The study revealed that key factors influencing particle migration include the injection rate and reservoir permeability. An increase in grain size, particle density, or effective pore radius leads to a higher critical flow velocity, while higher fluid viscosity results in a lower critical flow velocity. The zones of particle migration within the L58 block were identified, and wells such as L58-CP41, L58-41, and L58-X204 are located within these particle mobilization zones. This research has significant implications for the development of fine-grained silty sandstone reservoirs. • Oil-water flow simulation for unconsolidated sand with particle migration. • Integrated methodology for identifying spatial particle migration zones. • Injection rate and permeability as key drivers of particle transport. • New correlation between permeability and water injection pore volume.
Zhou et al. (Sun,) studied this question.