Study of the blocking mechanism in gravel packing based on CFD-DEM--颗粒学报PARTICUOLOGY

Deng, F., Wen, L., Li, G., Fan, B., Gong, N., & Chen, S. (2024). Study of the blocking mechanism in gravel packing based on CFD-DEM. Particuology, 90, 164-178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.partic.2023.12.005

Study of the blocking mechanism in gravel packing based on CFD-DEM

Fucheng Deng ^{a b *}, Lei Wen ^a, Gang Li ^b, Baitao Fan ^c, Ning Gong ^d, Shenghong Chen ^e

a Yangtze University, Jingzhou, 434023, China
b Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 510640, China
c CNOOC Research Institute Ltd, Beijing, 100028, China
d Tianjin Branch of CNOOC Ltd, Tianjin, 300459, China
e CNOOC Ener Tech-Drilling & Production Co, Tianjin, 300457, China

10.1016/j.partic.2023.12.005

Volume 90, July 2024, Pages 164-178

Received 25 August 2023, Revised 2 December 2023, Accepted 8 December 2023, Available online 20 December 2023, Version of Record 6 January 2024.

E-mail: dengfucheng128@163.com

Highlights

• Blocking process of gravel packing sand control (GPSC) is studied numerically.

• Migration mode of sand particles in gravel layer is analyzed microscopically.

• The blocking area is divided to understand the blocking mechanism of GPSC.

• The influence of structural parameters on GPSC was systematically studied.

Abstract

Gravel packing sand control (GPSC), as the optimization of mechanical sand control technology, is widely used in the deep water completion and sand control of loose sandstone heavy oil reservoirs and highly argillaceous. To explore the blocking mechanism of GPSC, the influence of its structural parameters on the blocking of GPSC is investigated. This paper establishes a particle element model based on computational fluid dynamics-discrete element method coupling using the discrete element method and establishes a fluid flow model combined with computational fluid dynamics to realize their full coupling solution. And sand control experiments were carried out using a micro visual sand control simulation device to verify the blocking model. The blocking mechanism is analyzed from the microscopic point of view, and then, the influence of sand control structure parameters on the blocking in GPSC design is evaluated. The results show the following: (1) the blocking process of GPSC can be divided into three stages: an initial stage, sand accumulation stage, and equilibrium stage. (2) There are two main types of gravel packing blockage. The first type of blocking is blocking on the surface of the gravel layer. Sand particles on the surface of gravel layer mainly exist in the form of large particle size blocking gravel pores and sand particles bridging each other. The second type of blockage is the blockage inside the gravel layer. Sand particles mainly exist in the form of internal mud cakes and adsorption on gravels inside the gravel layer. (3) To ensure the sand control performance of the gravel layer, the gravel layer thickness is designed between 23 and 28 mm. The displacement or pressure of the on-site packing pump should be increased to ensure that the gravel layer packing solidity ranges between 59% and 62%. In the design of GPSC, it should be ensured that the median particle size of gravel is 5–6 times the median particle size of sand. This study provides an effective technical reference for the design of gravel structural parameters in on-site gravel packing completion sand control.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

CFD-DEM; Blocking the process; Blocking mechanism; Structural parameter

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