Coupled Simulation of Reservoir Flow, Geomechanics, and Formation Plugging With Application to High-Rate Produced Water Reinjection

Abstract

Abstract Produced water re-injection at high rates presents a coupled problem of reservoir flow, formation damage, stress alteration around the injector, and fracture propagation. Accurate prediction of permeability changes, fracture propagation pressure, and fracture dimensions is required for minimization of disposal costs and design of surface equipment. The paper presents the formulation and numerical implementation of a coupled reservoir, damage and geomechanical model which includes the above couplings. Details of the model are first described. A simple empirical damage model, calibrated to field data is then presented. Finally, application of the complete model to high rate reinjection in the Masila Block in Yemen is presented. The model predictions show that it is feasible to sustain over 100,000 BWPD in a single Masila disposal well by injecting above fracture pressure.