Importance of Double Layer Force between a Plat and a Nano-Particle in Restricting Fines Migration in Porous Media

Abstract

Fines migration is defined as separation of a Nano-sized particle by fluid flow in porous media and its migration along some distances and its entrapment in a narrow pore throat or its settlement on pore wall. Although this phenomenon happens in scales of Nano-meters, it can lead to sever irretrievable damages. This damage includes permeability reduction that causes drastic oil recovery reduction. There are several forces impacting a fine that is placed on a pore wall. Some of most important forces affecting settlement of a fine in porous media in presence of a fluid are electrical forces. Electrical forces consist of several long and short range forces. This study focuses on a long range force called Double Layer Force (DLF) that beside Van der Waals is one of most powerful electrical forces. DLF is a repulsive force that can repel a particle from pore wall and result separation of a Nano-sized solid which subsequently moves along with flowing fluid and clogs a throat. The DLF depends on the solid material (reservoir rock and fine) and fluid properties (i.e. ionic strength, pH). This study investigates how each of these parameters affects DLF and introduces proper conditions for reservoir water flooding for controlling fines migration.