Reasons for production decline in the diatomite, Belridge oil field: a rock mechanics view
This work summarized research conducted on diatomite cores from the Belridge oil field in Kern County. The study was undertaken to try to explain the rapid decline in oil production in diatomite wells. Characterization of the rock showed that the rock was composed principally of amorphous opaline silica diatoms with only a trace of crystoballite quartz or chert quartz. Physical properties tests showed the diatomite to be of low strength and plastic. Finally, it was established that long-term creep of diatomite into a propped fracture proceeds at a rate of approximately 6 x 10-5 in./day, a phenomenon which may be a primary cause of rapid production declines. The testing program also revealed a matrix stength for the formation of calculated 1325 PSI, a value to consider when depleting the reservoir. This also may help to explain the phase transformation of opal ct at calculated 2000 to 2500 ft depth.
- OSTI ID:
- 6161447
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-820316-
- Journal Information:
- SPE Repr. Ser.; (United States), Conference: California regional SPE meeting, San Francisco, CA, USA, 24 Mar 1982
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
OIL WELLS
FORMATION DAMAGE
PRODUCTION
ROCK MECHANICS
CALIFORNIA
DIATOMS
DRILL CORES
FRACTURED RESERVOIRS
GEOLOGY
PERMEABILITY
PETROLEUM
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLUGGING
PROPPING AGENTS
SILICA
TESTING
ALGAE
CHALCOGENIDES
ENERGY SOURCES
FEDERAL REGION IX
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
MECHANICS
MINERALS
NORTH AMERICA
OXIDE MINERALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLANTS
SILICON COMPOUNDS
SILICON OXIDES
USA
WELLS
020300* - Petroleum- Drilling & Production