Numerical Simulation of Near Wellbore Permeability Reduction Using Colloidal Silica Gel

Abstract

Sometimes, injection wells happen to clog with matter that reduces the permeability around the well and makes it not performing in an optimal way. A possible solution to remove the clogging matter is the chemical treatment of the well by the injection of acids dissolving the clogging particles. The issue is that the acid will preferentially flow in the zones of high permeability not impacted by the clogging matter. To avoid this happening, grouting gel can be injected previously to the acid treatment to reduce the permeability around the well completely and perform then the recovery treatment. In this research, a numerical model was used to simulate the injection of colloidal silica gel for the reduction of high permeability zones located between clogged layers surrounding a well.