SURFACE FORCE ANALYSIS AND APPLICATION OF DLVO MODELING IN PREDICTING AND CONTROLLING FINES MIGRATION IN SANDSTONE RESERVOIRS

Abstract

Sandstone reservoirs contain ultra-fine particles of quartz and clay attached to the sand surface. This creates a sand-fine-brine (SFB) system maintained by electrostatic and gravitational forces. Various forces, including van der Waals attraction and electric double-layer repulsion, affect the interaction between fine particles and sand grains in high salinity formation water. The attractive van der Waals force attaches the fine particles to the sand surface, while the electric double-layer repulsion force tends to detach them. Fines can be released and migrate under certain conditions, affecting injectivity and productivity. Formation damage caused by fines migration and pore throat blockage is a well-documented problem in sandstone reservoirs…