Concurrent 22. Oral Presentation for: Fines migration during coal bed methane production: mathematical and laboratory modelling, field cases
Abolfazl Hashemi A *A Australian School of Petroleum and Energy Resources (ASPER), University of Adelaide, SA, Australia.
The APPEA Journal 63 - https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ22377
Published: 2 June 2023
Abstract
Presented on Wednesday 17 May: Session 22
Fines migration in coalbed methane (CBM) fields comprises a serious environmental and gas-production challenge. The literature widely reports two kinds of fines: potential coal fines, which are a part of the coal body and can be detached by breakage under a significant drag force exerted from the inflowing water, and detrital coal fines, which are attached to the coal body by electrostatic forces. The theory for detrital coal fines migration is well developed. A theory for potential coal fines, where the drag deforms the coal asperities and detaches fines by rock failure, is not available. The objectives of this study are (1) to derive the governing equations for fines generation by breakage using failure criteria, and (2) to predict well productivity during dewatering and gas production using laboratory-based modelling. The micro-model developed is based on beam theory and comprises static rock deformation by the flow-through water and calculating failure criteria by tensile and shear stresses. The failure condition determines the number of fines that detach after the application of each flow rate, allowing determining the maximum retention function of potential coal fines. The breakage micro-model is incorporated into filtration equations that account for fines mobilisation, migration, straining and consequent permeability decline. Eight series of lab flooding data with coal cores have been treated. The close match between the lab and model validates the model developed. The model allows predicting productivity decline due to permeability reduction by fines breakage and straining.
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Keywords: authigenic particles, breakage, coal fines, clay, detachment, fines migration, impedance, maximum retention function, porous media, skin factor, stress.
Abolfazl Hashemi is currently a PhD student at the University of Adelaide (UoA). He studied Chemical Engineering: Exploitation of Hydrocarbon Resources at the Petroleum University of Technology in Iran between 1998 and 2002. In 2003, he was accepted to the Technical University of Delft as a Master of Science student in Petroleum Engineering. After completing his MSc in 2005, he worked for 12 years at the National Iranian Oil Company as a Petroleum Engineer. In 2019, he was accepted as a PhD student at the University of Adelaide, where he is currently enrolled in his final year of study. |
