Laboratory Simulation and Damage in Open Hole Water Injectors

Abstract

Abstract Completion design in water injection wells has received a lot of attention in recent years. With increasing deployment of sand control and the desire not to fracture with water injection, a much greater emphasis needs to be placed on selection of the optimum drilling, completion and clean-up fluids sequence compliant with the completion hardware. One tool available to help with the selection process for fluids for drilling and completion is laboratory simulation testing. If performed properly and with attention to the detail required to simulate fluids and hardware, these tests can be employed to predict and optimise well performance. Taking different examples from different field developments we demonstrate the process of test design and propose some interesting amendments for future test designs. We cite some examples of low or no flow in the laboratory and discuss the implications for real well design and geometry. We also challenge some long held assumptions on the "best" fluids to use for open hole water injection wells. The paper adds to industry knowledge on this topic and to the development of more representative and revealing laboratory tests. Using real examples from well planning and the subsequent well performance we illustrate the importance of using available tools to help in the design of wells.