Experimental study of the influencing factors and mechanisms of the pressure-reduction and augmented injection effect by nanoparticles in ultra-low permeability reservoirs

Nanoparticles(NPs)have gained significant attention as a functional material due to their ability to effectively enhance pressure reduction in injection processes in ultra-low permeability reservoirs.NPs are typically studied in controlled laboratory conditions,and their behavior in real-world,complex environments such as ultra-low permeability reservoirs,is not well understood due to the limited scope of their applications.This study investigates the efficacy and underlying mechanisms of NPs in decreasing injection pressure under various injection conditions(25—85℃,10—25 MPa).The results reveal that under optimal injection conditions,NPs effectively reduce injection pressure by a maximum of 22.77%in core experiment.The pressure reduction rate is found to be positively correlated with oil saturation and permeability,and negatively correlated with temperature and salinity.Furthermore,particle image velocimetry(PIV)experiments(25℃,atmospheric pressure)indicate that the pressure reduction is achieved by NPs through the reduction of wall shear resistance and wettability change.This work has important implications for the design of water injection strategies in ultra-low permeability reservoirs.

Optimization of Gas-Flooding Fracturing Development in Ultra-Low Permeability Reservoirs

Ultra-low permeability reservoirs are characterized by small pore throats and poor physical properties, which areat the root of well-known problems related to injection and production. In this study, a gas injection floodingapproach is analyzed in the framework of numerical simulations. In particular, the sequence and timing of fracturechanneling and the related impact on production are considered for horizontal wells with different fracturemorphologies. Useful data and information are provided about the regulation of gas channeling and possible strategiesto delay gas channeling and optimize the gas injection volume and fracture parameters. It is shown that inorder to mitigate gas channeling and ensure high production, fracture length on the sides can be controlled andlonger fractures can be created in the middle by which full gas flooding is obtained at the fracture location in themiddle of the horizontal well. A Differential Evolution (DE) algorithm is provided by which the gas injectionvolume and the fracture parameters of gas injection flooding can be optimized. It is shown that an improvedoil recovery factor as high as 6% can be obtained.

Profile improvement during CO_2 flooding in ultra-low permeability reservoirs

Gas flooding such as CO2 flooding may be effectively applied to ultra-low permeability reservoirs, but gas channeling is inevitable due to low viscosity and high mobility of gas and formation heterogeneity. In order to mitigate or prevent gas channeling, ethylenediamine is chosen for permeability profile control. The reaction mechanism of ethylenediamine with CO2, injection performance, swept volume, and enhanced oil recovery were systematically evaluated. The reaction product of ethylenediamine and CO2 was a white solid or a light yellow viscous liquid, which would mitigate or prevent gas channeling. Also, ethylenediamine could be easily injected into ultra-low permeability cores at high temperature with protective ethanol slugs. The core was swept by injection of 0.3 PV ethylenediamine. Oil displacement tests performed on heterogeneous models with closed fractures, oil recovery was significantly enhanced with injection of ethylenediamine. Experimental results showed that using ethylenediamine to plug high permeability layers would provide a new research idea for the gas injection in fractured, heterogeneous and ultra-low permeability reservoirs. This technology has the potential to be widely applied in oilfields.

The tectonic fracture modeling of an ultra-low permeability sandstone reservoir based on an outcrop analogy: A case study in the Wangyao Oilfield of Ordos Basin, China

Due to inherent limits of data acquisition and geophysical data resolution, there are large uncertainties in the characterization of subsurface fractures. However, outcrop analogies can provide qualitative and quantitative information on a large number of fractures, based on which the accuracy of subsurface fracture characterization can be improved. Here we take the tectonic fracture modeling of an ultra-low permeability sandstone reservoir based on an outcrop analogy, a case study of the Chang6t~ Formation of the Upper Triassic Yanchang Group of the Wangyao Oilfield in the Ordos Basin of China. An outcrop at the edge of the basin is a suitable analog for the reservoir, but the prerequisite is that they must have equivalent previous stress fields, similar final structural characteristics, relative timing and an identical depositional environment and diagenesis. The relationship among fracture density, rock type and bed thickness based on the outcrop is one of the most important fracture distribution models, and can be used to interpret fracture density in individual wells quantitatively. Fracture orientation, dip, geometry and scale, also should be described and measured in the outcrop, and can be used together with structure restoration and single well fracture density interpretation to guide fracture intensity prediction on bed surfaces and to constrain the construction of the 3D fracture geometry model of the subsurface reservoir. The application of the above principles shows the outcrop-based tectonic fracture models of the target ultra-low permeability sandstone reservoir are consistent with fractures inferred from microseismic interpretation and tracer tests. This illustrated that the fracture modeling based on the outcrop analogy is reliable and can reduce the uncertainty in stochastic fracture modeling.

Anisotropic Rock Poroelasticity Evolution in Ultra-low Permeability Sandstones under Pore Pressure,Confining Pressure,and Temperature:Experiments with Biot's Coefficient

This study aimed to show anisotropic poroelasticity evolution in ultra-low permeability reservoirs under pore pressure,confining pressure,and temperature.Several groups of experiments examining Biot's coefficient under different conditions were carried out.Results showed that Biot's coefficient decreased with increased pore pressure,and the variation trend is linear,but the decreasing rate is variable between materials.Biot's coefficient increased with increased confining pressure;the variation trend is linear,but the increasing rate varies by material as well.Generally,Biot's coefficient remains stable with increased temperature.Lithology,clay mineral content,particle arrangement,and pore arrangement showed impacts on Biot's coefficient.For strong hydrophilic clay minerals,expansion in water could result in a strong surface adsorption reaction,which could result in an increased fluid bulk modulus and higher Biot's coefficient.For skeleton minerals with strong lipophilicity,such as quartz and feldspar,increased oil saturation will also result in an adsorption reaction,leading to increased fluid bulk modulus and a higher Biot's coefficient.The study's conclusions provide evidence of poroelasticity evolution of ultra-low permeability and help the enhancing oil recovery(EOR)process.

On the Development of an Effective Pressure Driving System for Ultra-Low Permeability Reservoirs

Given its relevance to the exploitation of ultra-low permeability reservoirs,which account for a substantial proportion of the world’s exploited and still unexploited reserves,in the present study the development of an adequate water injection system is considered.Due to the poor properties and weak seepage capacity of these reservoirs,the water injection pressure typically increases continuously during water flooding.In this research,the impact on such a process of factors as permeability,row spacing,and pressure gradient is evaluated experimentally using a high-pressure large-scale outcrop model.On this basis,a comprehensive evaluation coefficient is introduced able to account for the effective driving pressure.

Determination of microscopic waterflooding characteristics and influence factors in ultra-low permeability sandstone reservoir

Actual sandstone micromodel was used in this work to conduct the microscopic waterflooding experiment of ultra-low sandstone reservoir,since the inside seepage characteristics of microscopic waterflooding process of Chang 8 ultra-low permeability sandstone reservoir of Upper Triassic Yanchang formation in Huaqing region of the Ordos Basin,China is difficult to observe directly.Combined with physical property,casting thin sections,constant-rate mercury injection capillary pressure and nuclear magnetic resonance,the influence of reservoir property on the waterflooding characteristics in pores were analyzed and evaluated.Seepage paths of waterflooding characteristics were divided into four types:homogeneous seepage,reticular-homogeneous seepage,finger-reticular seepage and finger-like seepage,the waterflooding efficiency of which decreases in turn.More than 70%of residual oil occurs as flowing-around seepage and oil film.Physical property,pore structure and movable fluid characteristics are all controlled by digenesis and their impacts on waterflooding efficiency are in accordance.Generally,the pore throat radius size and distribution and movable fluid percentage are closely related to waterflooding law.

Simultaneous hydraulic fracturing of ultra-low permeability sandstone reservoirs in China: Mechanism and its field test

Based on the impact of the stress perturbation effect created by simultaneous propagation of multiple fractures in the process of simultaneous hydraulic fracturing, a thorough research on the mechanism and adaptation of simultaneous fracturing of double horizontal wells in ultra-low permeability sandstone reservoirs was conducted by taking two adjacent horizontal wells(well Yangping-1 and well Yangping-2 located in Longdong area of China Changqing Oilfield) as field test wells. And simultaneous fracturing optimal design of two adjacent horizontal wells was finished and employed in field test. Micro-seismic monitoring analysis of fracture propagation during the stimulation treatment shows that hydraulic fractures present a pattern of complicated network expansion, and the well test data after fracturing show that the daily production of well Yangping-1 and well Yangping-2 reach105.8 t/d and 87.6 t/d, which are approximately 9.4 times and 7.8 times the daily production of a fractured vertical well in the same area, respectively. Field test reflects that simultaneous hydraulic fracturing of two adjacent horizontal wells can enlarge the expansion area of hydraulic fractures to obtain a lager drainage area and realize the full stimulation of ultra-low permeability sandstone reservoirs in China Changqing oilfield. Therefore, simultaneous fracturing of two adjacent horizontal wells provides a good opportunity in stimulation techniques for the efficient development of ultra-low permeability reservoirs in China Changqing oilfield,and it has great popularization value and can provide a new avenue for the application of stimulation techniques in ultra-low permeability reservoirs in China.

The Relationship between Fractures and Tectonic Stress Field in the Extra Low-Permeability Sandstone Reservoir at the South of Western Sichuan Depression

The formation and distribution of fractures are controlled by paleotectonic stress field, and their preservative status and effects on development are dominated by the modern stress field. Since Triassic, it has experienced four tectonic movements and developed four sets of tectonic fractures in the extra low-permeability sandstone reservoir at the south of western Sichuan depression. The strikes of fractures are in the S-N, NE-SW, E-W, and NW-SE directions respectively. At the end of Triassic, under the horizontal compression tectonic stress field, for which the maximum principal stress direction was NW.SE, the fractures were well developed near the S-N faults and at the end of NE-SW faults, because of their stress concentration. At the end of Cretaceous, in the horizontal compression stress fields of the NE-SW direction, the stress was obviously lower near the NE-SW faults, thus, fractures mainly developed near the S-N faults. At the end of Neogene-Early Pleistocene, under the horizontal compression tectonic stress fields of E-W direction, stress concentrated near the NE-SW faults and fractures developed at these places, especially at the end of the NE-SE faults, the cross positions of NE-SW, and S-N faults. Therefore, fractures developed mostly near S-N faults and NE-SW faults. At the cross positions of the above two sets of faults, the degree of development of the fractures was the highest. Under the modern stress field of the NW-SE direction, the NW-SE fractures were mainly the seepage ones with tensional state, the best connectivity, the widest aperture, the highest permeability, and the minimum opening pressure.

The control effect of low-amplitude structure on oil-gaswater enrichment and development performance of ultra-low permeability reservoirs

Based on drilling, logging, test production and dynamic monitoring data, the control effects of low-amplitude structure on hydrocarbon accumulation and development performance of ultra-low permeability reservoirs were discussed by using the methods of dense well pattern, multi-factor geological modeling, macro and micro analysis and static and dynamic analysis. The results show that the low-amplitude structure always had a significant control and influence on the distribution and accumulation of original hydrocarbon and water and the evolution trend of water flooding performance in ultra-low permeability reservoirs, and it was not only the direction of oil and gas migration, but also a favorable place for relative accumulation of oil and gas. The controlling effect of low-amplitude structure on ultra-low permeability reservoir mainly depended on its tectonic amplitude and scale;the larger the tectonic amplitude and scale, and the higher the tectonic position of the low amplitude structure, the better the reservoir characteristic parameters, oil and gas enrichment degree and development effect, and the larger the spatial scope it controlled and influenced;water cut and oil well output always fluctuated orderly with the height of the low-amplitude structure;the dynamic response of waterflooding was closely related to the relative structural position of the injection and production wells;the injected water always advanced to the low-lying area of the structure first and then moved up to the high-lying area of the structure gradually;with the continuous expansion of the flooded area, part of the oil and gas in the low-lying part of the structure was forced to be distributed to the high part of the structure, resulting in a new oil and gas enrichment, so that the dynamic reserves of oil wells in the high part increased, and the production capacity remained stable.

Method of moderate water injection and its application in ultra-low permeability oil reservoirs of Yanchang Oilfield, NW China

To explore the method of improving development effect and solving the problem of water breakthrough and water out for ultralow permeability fractured reservoirs, an indoor evaluation method of dynamic imbibition for fracture-matrix system was established taking the Chang 8 reservoir in southern Yanchang Oilfield as a research target. Key factors for the imbibition effect were obtained, an imbibition's rate expression was obtained, a model considering the double effects of imbibition-displacement was built and optimal injection and production parameters for the research area were obtained as well. The results show that an optimum displacement rate that maximizes the oil displacement efficiency exists in the water displacing oil process, and the optimal displacing rate becomes smaller as the permeability decreases. The imbibition displacement efficiency increases as the reservoir quality index and water wettability index of rock become bigger. But the larger the initial water saturation or oil-water viscosity ratio is, the smaller the imbibition displacement efficiency is. The optimal injection-production ratio for the Chang 8 reservoir of southern Yanchang Oilfield is 0.95, and the predicted recovery is 17.2% when the water cut is 95%, it is 2.9% higher than the recovery of conventional injection-production ratio 1.2. By using the moderate water injection technique based on the double effects of imbibition-displacement mechanism, the water injection development effect for the ultra-low permeability fractured reservoirs can be improved significantly.

Physical simulation of fluid flow and production performance in extra-low permeability porous media

For extra-low permeability reservoirs, with a permeability of about 0.3×10?3 μm2, fluid flow and production performance in cores were studied. A long core holder with a multi-location piezometric measurement was specially designed. An artificial long core, about 700 mm long and with a cross section of 45mm×45mm, was used. In the experiment, pressure distribution along the core can be measured in real time. Single phase flow in the core was investigated. Different modes of production in long cores were also simulated including natural depletion, water flooding, and advanced water flooding. Through physical simulation, flow parameters were collected and production characteristics in extra-low permeability cores were studied. From experimental results, it can be seen that fluid flow in extra-low permeability cores is different from that in high permeability cores. Transmission of pressure in extra-low permeability cores is very slow, and it needs a long time for the pressure to become stable. The distribution curve of pressure along the core is nonlinear and the production rate in extra-low permeability reservoirs decreases sharply. The development effects of different production modes in extra-low permeability cores were compared with one another. Among the production modes, advanced water flooding has much potential for effective development of extra-low permeability reservoirs. Natural depletion and conventional water flooding can also be used in early production periods. In addition, the countermeasures and some ideas especially for the potential development of extra-low permeability reservoirs are suggested.

A quantitative evaluation for well pattern adaptability in ultra-low permeability oil reservoirs:A case study of Triassic Chang 6 and Chang 8 reservoirs in Ordos Basin

Based on the previous studies and development practice in recent 10 years, a quantitative evaluation method for the adaptability of well patterns to ultra-low permeability reservoirs was established using cluster analysis and gray correlation method, and it includes 10 evaluation parameters in the four aspects of optimal evaluation parameters, determination of weights for evaluation parameters, development stage division, and determination of classification coefficients. This evaluation method was used to evaluate the well pattern adaptability of 13 main ultra-low permeability reservoirs in Triassic Chang 6 and Chang 8 of Ordos Basin. Three basic understandings were obtained: Firstly, the well pattern for ultra-low permeability type-I reservoirs has generally good adaptability, with proper well pattern forms and well pattern parameters. Secondly, square inverted nine-spot well pattern is suitable for reservoirs with no fractures; rhombic inverted nine-spot injection pattern is suitable for reservoirs with some fractures; and rectangular well pattern is suitable for reservoirs with rich fractures. Thirdly, for the ultra-low permeability type-Ⅱ and type-Ⅲ reservoirs, with the principles of well pattern form determination, the row spacing needs to be optimized further to improve the level of development of such reservoirs.

Imbibition mechanisms of high temperature resistant microemulsion system in ultra-low permeability and tight reservoirs

Lower-phase microemulsions with core-shell structure were prepared by microemulsion dilution method.The high temperature resistant systems were screened and the performance evaluation experiments were conducted to clarify the spontaneous imbibition mechanisms in ultra-low permeability and tight oil reservoirs,and to direct the field microfracture huff and puff test of oil well.The microemulsion system(O-ME)with cationic-nonionic surfactant as hydrophilic shell,No.3 white oil as oil phase core has the highest imbibition recovery;its spontaneous imbibition mechanisms include:the ultra-low interfacial tension and wettability reversal significantly reduce oil adhesion work to improve oil displacement efficiency,the nanoscale“core-shell structure”formed can easily enter micro-nano pores and throats to expand the swept volume,in addition,the remarkable effect of dispersing and solubilizing crude oil can improve the mobility of crude oil.Based on the experimental results,a microfracture huff and puff test of O-ME was carried out in Well YBD43-X506 of Shengli Oilfield.After being treated,the well had a significant increase of daily fluid production to 5 tons from 1.4 tons,and an increase of daily oil production to 2.7 tons from 1.0 ton before treatment.

Pore structure differences of the extra-low permeability sandstone reservoirs and the causes of low resistivity oil layers: A case study of Block Yanwumao in the middle of Ordos Basin, NW China

The influence of pore structure difference on rock electrical characteristics of reservoir and oil reservoir was analyzed taking Triassic Chang 6 reservoir in Block Yanwumao in the middle of Ordos Basin as an example. The relationship between the pore structure difference and the low resistivity oil layer was revealed and demonstrated through core observation, lab experiments, geological research, well log interpretation and trial production etc. The results show that there were two kinds of oil layers in Chang 6 oil layer set, normal oil layer and low resistivity oil layer in the region, corresponding to two types of pore structures, pore type mono-medium and micro-fracture-pore type double-medium; the development of micro-fracture changed greatly the micro-pore structure of the reservoir, and the pore structure difference had an important influence on the rock electrical characteristics of the extra-low permeability sandstone reservoir and oil reservoir; the normal oil layers had obvious characteristics of pore-type mono-medium, and were concentrated in Chang 61, Chang 6232 and Chang 62; the low resistivity oil layers had obvious characteristics of micro-fracture-pore type double-medium, which were mainly distributed in Chang 612 and Chang 63. The mud filtrate penetrated deep into the oil layers along the micro-cracks, leading to sharp reduction of resistivity, and thus low resistivity of the oil layer; the low resistivity oil layers had better storage capacity and higher productivity than the normal oil layers.

Synchronous injection-production energy replenishment for a horizontal well in an ultra-low permeability sandstone reservoir: A case study of Changqing oilfield in Ordos Basin, NW China

It is difficult to build an effective water flooding displacement pressure system in the middle section of a horizontal well in an ultra-low permeability sandstone reservoir.To solve this problem,this study proposes to use packers,sealing cannula and other tools in the same horizontal well to inject water in some fractures and produce oil from other fractures.This new energy supplement method forms a segmental synchronous injection-production system in a horizontal well.The method can reduce the distance between the injection end and the production end,and quickly establish an effective displacement system.Changing the displacement between wells to displacement between horizontal well sections,and point water flooding to linear uniform water flooding,the method can enhance water sweeping volume and shorten waterflooding response period.The research shows that:(1)In the synchronous injection and production of horizontal well in an ultra-low-permeability sandstone reservoir,the water injection section should select the section where the natural fractures and artificial fractures are in the same direction or the section with no natural fractures,and the space between two sections should be 60?80 m.(2)In addition to controlling injection pressure,periodic water injection can be taken to reduce the risk of re-opening and growth of natural fractures or formation fracture caused by the gradual increase of water injection pressure with water injection going on.(3)Field tests have verified that this method can effectively improve the output of single well and achieve good economic benefits,so it can be widely used in the development of ultra-low permeability sandstone reservoirs.

长岭断陷龙凤山气田营城组储层非均质性研究

龙凤山气田是目前中石化在东北地区勘探开发的首个深盆致密砂岩近饱和高含油凝析气储集系统,主力含气层位营城组储层在空间上表现出了较强的非均质性特征,气层在纵向上、平面上分布规律复杂将制约后续的地质研究工作(于翠玲,2007)。通过对岩心描述和测井资料进行分析,对比地质储量和实际测试生产情况,从层内、层间和平面3个方面分析储层的宏观非均质性。

高强度堵剂优化及其在高含水油藏靶向调堵中的应用

针对河南油田高渗高凝特高含水砂岩油藏,对双激发无机堵剂的配方优化、耐温耐盐性能、封堵性能、耐冲刷性能、粒径匹配等多方面进行系统研究。结果表明,缓凝剂和离子平衡剂是控制体系凝固时间的主导因素,随着主剂与激发剂浓度以及温度的增加,双激发无机堵剂固结速度增大。配液水中矿化度较高时,硫酸根和氯盐会加快体系固结时间。双激发无机堵剂封堵能力强,耐冲刷能力和深部液流转向效果较好,可对高渗透层大孔道有效封堵,提高低渗岩芯分流率,其封堵率高于98.5%。现场应用效果证实,双激发无机堵剂能够实现深部靶向封堵,具有强度高、有效期长、成本低等优点,调堵后含水率大幅下降。

吐哈油田深层致密砂岩气藏体积压裂技术应用

吐哈油田台北凹陷丘东洼陷深层致密砂岩油(气)藏储层埋藏深、中-强水敏、低孔-特低渗、非均质性强等特点,储层地层温度高(140~150℃),前期试油常规压裂工艺措施效果差,无法经济动用。随着油田上产,开展了吐哈油田台北凹陷丘东洼陷深层致密砂岩油(气)藏水平井体积压裂技术攻关,通过岩性评价、地应力分析、压裂液体系及支撑剂组合等方面进行精细研究并开展现场应用,形成了区块压裂主体工艺路线,有效解决了区块深层致密砂岩油气藏无法动用技术难题,为油田上产提供了有力技术支撑。

高应力特厚突出煤层水力割缝卸压防突技术研究

针对采动形成的高应力煤柱区瓦斯动力灾害防控难题,以窑街煤电集团有限公司金河煤矿16219工作面为工程背景,综合采用数值模拟、理论分析、微震分析、工程实践相结合的研究方法,揭示了煤柱区的应力演化规律,在分析水力割缝卸压增透原理的基础上,优化并实施了水力割缝卸压增透措施,并对卸压防突效果进行了考察。结果表明,受周边采动影响,16219工作面首分层开切眼及回风巷交叉区域的煤体出现了高应力集中现象;通过对常规掘进与开挖缝槽后掘进2种情况的模拟对比分析,表明开挖缝槽能有效缓解高应力集中区内巷道周边煤体的应力集中状况;针对均一的缝槽尺寸可能导致巷道周边形成小范围应力增高区的现象,进一步优化了高应力集中区的水力割缝参数,合理增加了巷道周边水力割缝钻孔的出渣量。割缝作业实施后,微震监测数据显示大能量事件的占比有所减少、小能量事件的占比增加,煤体的弹性能有所释放,测试煤层残余瓦斯含量降低至4.73 m^(3)/t,表明煤层的突出及冲击危险性均有所降低。