A Comprehensive Review on Formation Damage Due to Fines Migration

Formation damage of oil and gas reservoirs as a result of fines migration is a major reason for productivity decline. Formation fines are defined as unconfined solid particles present in the pore spaces of formations. Their migration, caused by fluid flow in the reservoir, can causepore plugging and permeability reduction. Investigations have shown that salinity, flow rate, pH, and temperature significantly affect the process. There are many techniques in the industryto remediate the damage such as organic and inorganic polymeric clay control agents, nanoparticles, aqueous-based surface modifying agents (ASMA). This paper presents acomprehensive review on fine migration process, factors that control it and remediation techniques to lower its effects

Keywords:

Formation damage , Fines migration , Hydrocarbon reservoirs , Nanoparticles , Clay control agents , Surface modifying agents