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Well-bore damage--its causes and how to correct them

Journal Article · · Oil Gas J.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6523729

Some types of well-bore damage can be corrected-- other types are irreversible. Well-bore damage may occur during drilling or at any state of completion, stimulation, primary production, or fluid-injection operations. Among the factors that cause reduced permeability are the following: (1) hydration and swelling of clay minerals; (2) dispersion, movement, and plugging of swelling and nonswelling clay minerals, as well as other clay-size particles; (3) introduction of plugging materials from drilling mud; (4) turbid injection water or cement; (5) low-permeability mud cakes; (6) emulsion and water blocks; (7) relative-permeability effects; (8) precipitation of scales; (9) effects of bacteria; (10) dissection of materials from oil; (11) tilting of reservoir particles; (12) inadequate completion operations, such as poor perforations or casing seats; and (13) partial penetration of wells into formations. The cause of well- bore or reservoir damage must be known before attempting to correct it. (13 refs.)

Research Organization:
Marathon Oil Co
OSTI ID:
6523729
Journal Information:
Oil Gas J.; (United States), Journal Name: Oil Gas J.; (United States) Vol. 64:39; ISSN OIGJA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English