Skin factor and potential formation damage from chemical and mechanical processes in a naturally fractured carbonate aquifer with implications to CO₂ sequestration

Journal Article · Sat Apr 03 00:00:00 EDT 2021 · International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijggc.2021.103326· OSTI ID:2998266

Nguyen, Minh C. ^[1]; Dejam, Morteza ^[2]; Fazelalavi, Mina ^[3]; Zhang, Ye ^[4]; Gay, Garrett W. ^[4]; Bowen, David W. ^[5]; Spangler, Lee H. ^[5]; Zaluski, Wade ^[6]; Stauffer, Philip H. ^[7]

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1. Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States); Univ. of Wyoming, Laramie, WY (United States)
2. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States); Univ. of Wyoming, Laramie, WY (United States)
3. Ultimate EOR Services LLC, Austin, TX (United States)
4. Univ. of Wyoming, Laramie, WY (United States)
5. Montana State Univ., Bozeman, MT (United States)
6. Schlumberger Canada Limited, Calgary, AB (Canada)
7. Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

Here, in this study, we investigate formation damage due to acidization and water injection tests into the naturally fractured carbonate Middle Duperow Formation at Kevin Dome, Montana, potentially diminishing the chance of a future successful Geological Carbon Sequestration (GCS) project. Multiple well-test analytical models, correlated with core description and lithology data, are used to determine flow behavior and communication between the water injection interval and surrounding formations. An improved three-dimensional (3D) geologic model with dual-continuum matrix and fracture properties is constructed based on most recent seismic, core, and water sample measurements. Brine injection is simulated to verify the interpretation from the analytical models, followed by CO₂ injection simulation. Geochemical calculations are performed to understand the in-situ processes that led to formation damage. Our findings suggest: (1) there are two possible scenarios that could lead to a positive total effective skin factor and permeability decline: partial penetration and formation damage; (2) analytical models indicate a positive total skin factor, contradicting results of a previous study suggesting that the well was mildly stimulated; (3) numerical simulation supports the formation damage hypothesis by matching the pressure buildup observed during the latter two brine injection tests; (4) several mechanical and chemical processes may have occurred during injection to clog the matrix/fracture system: anhydrite fines migration and/or calcite precipitation. We then make preventative suggestions for future GCS projects into carbonate reservoirs and remediation recommendations for GCS operation at the Kevin Dome.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States); USDOE; USDOE Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM)
• Grant/Contract Number: 89233218CNA000001; FC26-05NT42587
• OSTI ID: 2998266
• Alternate ID(s): OSTI ID: 1780028
• Report Number(s): LA-UR--21-21100; 10.1016/j.ijggc.2021.103326
• Journal Information: International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, Journal Name: International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control Vol. 108; ISSN 1750-5836
• Publisher: Elsevier BV
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
58 GEOSCIENCES
Formation damage
Geochemical study
Geological Carbon Sequestration
Naturally fractured reservoirs
Reservoir modeling
Reservoir simulation
Well test analysis