Using electromagnetic waves to remove near wellbore damages in a hydrocarbon reservoir
AssigneeSaudi Arabian Oil Company
InventorsFeng Liang, Jinhong Chen, Rajesh Kumar Saini, Hui Hai Liu
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and systems for removing near wellbore damage in a hydrocarbon reservoir are described. In one example implementation, an antenna is positioned inside a wellbore in a location corresponding to a formation where near wellbore damage occurs. The wellbore extends from a surface of a hydrocarbon reservoir downward into the subterranean structure of the hydrocarbon reservoir. An electromagnetic (EM) wave is transmitted to the antenna. A portion of the EM wave is irradiated at the formation. The portion of the EM wave removes the near wellbore damage at the formation.
Claims20
A method, comprising:
- positioning an antenna inside a wellbore in a location corresponding to a formation comprising near-wellbore damage, wherein the wellbore extends from a surface of a hydrocarbon reservoir into the hydrocarbon reservoir;
- determining an irradiation power level based on at least a volume of a treatment zone, a density of the formation in the treatment zone, a target temperature change, and a treatment duration, wherein the irradiation power level is determined based on the following equation:
- p=cVρΔT/t
- where p represents the irradiation power level, c represents specific heat, V represents the volume of the treatment zone, p represents the density of the formation in the treatment zone, ΔT represents the target temperature change, and t represents the treatment duration;
- transmitting an electromagnetic (EM) wave to the antenna;
- and
- irradiating, from the antenna, a portion of the EM wave with the determined irradiation power level at the formation, wherein the portion of the EM wave removes the near-wellbore damage at the formation.
(canceled)
A method, comprising:
- positioning an antenna inside a wellbore in a location corresponding to a formation comprising near-wellbore damage, wherein the wellbore extends from a surface of a hydrocarbon reservoir into the hydrocarbon reservoir;
- flowing treatment fluid to the formation where near-wellbore damage occurs, wherein the treatment fluid changes at least one of an electrical conductivity or a dielectric property of the formation;
- after flowing the treatment fluid, transmitting an electromagnetic (EM) wave to the antenna;
- determining an irradiation power level based on a volume of a treatment zone, a density of the formation in the treatment zone, a target temperature change, and a treatment duration, wherein the irradiation power level is determined based on the following equation:
- p=cVρΔT/t
- where p represents the irradiation power level, c represents specific heat, V represents the volume of the treatment zone, p represents the density of the formation in the treatment zone, ΔT represents the target temperature change, and t represents the treatment duration;
- and
- irradiating, from the antenna, a portion of the EM wave having the determined irradiation power level at the formation, wherein the portion of the EM wave removes the near-wellbore damage at the formation.
(canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.