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Australian Energy Producers Journal Australian Energy Producers Journal Society
Journal of Australian Energy Producers
RESEARCH ARTICLE (Non peer reviewed)

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 A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A 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).


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