Fines migration during coal bed methane production: mathematical and laboratory modelling, field cases
Abolfazl Hashemi A * , Bryant Dang-Le A , Cuong Nguyen A , Grace Loi A and Nastaran Khazali AA Australian School of Petroleum and Energy Resources (ASPER), University of Adelaide, SA, Australia.
The APPEA Journal 63 S177-S182 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ22147
Accepted: 6 March 2023 Published: 11 May 2023
© 2023 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of APPEA.
Abstract
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.
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. |
Bryant Dang-Le is currently a PhD student at the UoA. He gained his Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Petroleum) from the University of Adelaide. |
Cuong Nguyen is currently a PhD student at the UoA. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Adelaide. |
Grace Loi is currently a PhD student at the UoA. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Adelaide. |
Nastaran Khazali is currently a PhD student at the UoA. She received her Bachelor’s degree and Master of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering from the Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnique). |
References
Bai T, Chen Z, Aminossadati SM, Pan Z, Liu J, Li L (2015) Characterization of coal fines generation: a micro-scale investigation. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering 27, 862–875.| Characterization of coal fines generation: a micro-scale investigation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bedrikovetsky P, Siqueira FD, Furtado CA, Souza ALS (2011) Modified particle detachment model for colloidal transport in porous media. Transport in Porous Media 86, 353–383.
| Modified particle detachment model for colloidal transport in porous media.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bedrikovetsky P, Zeinijahromi A, Siqueira FD, Furtado CA, de Souza ALS (2012) Particle detachment under velocity alternation during suspension transport in porous media. Transport in Porous Media 91, 173–197.
| Particle detachment under velocity alternation during suspension transport in porous media.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bradford SA, Torkzaban S, Shapiro A (2013) A theoretical analysis of colloid attachment and straining in chemically heterogeneous porous media. Langmuir 29, 6944–6952.
| A theoretical analysis of colloid attachment and straining in chemically heterogeneous porous media.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hashemi A, Borazjani S, Nguyen C, Loi G, Khazali N, Badalyan A, Yang Y, Tian ZF, Ting HZ, Dang-Le B, Russell T, Bedrikovetsky P (2023) Geo-mechanical aspects for breakage detachment of rock fines by Darcy’s flow. arXiv Preprint arXiv:2301.01422
| Geo-mechanical aspects for breakage detachment of rock fines by Darcy’s flow.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Huang FS, Kang YL, You ZJ, You LJ, Xu CY (2017) Critical conditions for massive fines detachment induced by single-phase flow in coalbed methane reservoirs: modelling and experiments. Energy & Fuels 31, 6782–6793.
| Critical conditions for massive fines detachment induced by single-phase flow in coalbed methane reservoirs: modelling and experiments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | [In English]
Huang F, Kang Y, You L, Li X, You Z (2018) Massive fines detachment induced by moving gas-water interfaces during early stage two-phase flow in coalbed methane reservoirs. Fuel 222, 193–206.
| Massive fines detachment induced by moving gas-water interfaces during early stage two-phase flow in coalbed methane reservoirs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Israelachvili JN (2011) ‘Intermolecular and Surface Forces.’ (Academic press)
Liu J, Yuan X, Zhang J, Xi W, Feng J, Wu H (2019) Sharp reductions in high-productivity well due to formation damage: a case study in Tarim Basin, China. In ‘Proceedings of the International Field Exploration and Development Conference 2017’. pp. 843–857. (Springer)
Nick KE, Conway MW, Fowler KS (1995) The relation of diagenetic clays and sulfates to the treatment of coalbed methane reservoirs. In ‘SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Dallas, Texas, October 1995’. (Society of Petroleum Engineers; OnePetro)
Russell T, Chequer L, Borazjani S, You Z, Zeinijahromi A, Bedrikovetsky P (2018) Formation damage by fines migration: mathematical and laboratory modelling, field cases. In ‘Formation damage during improved oil recovery’. (Eds B Yuan, DA Wood) pp. 69–175. (Gulf Professional Publishing)
Timoshenko S, Goodier JN (1951) ‘Theory of Elasticity’, 2nd edn. (McGraw-Hill)
Ting HZ, Bedrikovetsky P, Tian ZF, Carageorgos T (2021) Impact of shape on particle detachment in linear shear flows. Chemical Engineering Science 241, 116658
| Impact of shape on particle detachment in linear shear flows.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
