Full Physics Modeling of a CHOPS Using 3-Domain Coupling. Its Application in an Underconsolidated Sandstone Reservoir

Summary Cold Heavy Oil Production with SAND (CHOPS) involve a deliberated production of sand along with the oil which could not be produced at these rates otherwise. Many authors describe tensile, shear and erosion as causes of formation failures in loosely consolidated formation. CHOPS implies the production of significant amount of sand. This mass movement causes a complex redistribution of stresses. In this study we are using finite differences elements with Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian (ALE) formulation which allow us to coupling among three domains: fluid flow, geomechanical behavior and mass transport to model an unconsolidated sandstone field in South America produced under CHOPS. We have proven the applicability of this model to help the operator to understand the phenomena governing the formation of wormholes, channels and caves and to identify the most influential geomechanical factors affecting the sweeping efficiency of the implemented waterflooding.