A Parametric Study to Numerically Analyze the Formation Damage Effect

The paper focuses on the significant role of spontaneous countercurrent imbibition in evaluating formation damage in hydrocarbon reservoirs, particularly when drilling fluid interacts with the drilled formation. Formation damage can greatly impair drilling efficiency, and this paper introduces a numerical model to analyze primary parameters that significantly influence formation damage. Parameters such as porosity, permeability, water saturation, oil viscosity, pressure drop, contact time, and capillary pressure were examined in this model.

The objective was to identify the dominant influence of each parameter. The proposed analytical model offers an alternative to expensive methods like scanning electron microscopy and CT scans in petroleum industries, helping reduce the costs associated with experimental evaluation. The model's accuracy was then validated using a set of experimental CT scan data. The results showed a satisfactory correlation between the proposed model outcomes and laboratory data.