Pore-Scale Numerical Simulation of Acid–Rock Reaction Processes in Carbonate Reservoirs

• Published in: ACS omega Vol. 9; no. 31; pp. 34106 - 34117
• Main Authors: Zhang, Dongxu, Li, Yaqi, Luo, Tongtong, Zhang, Haijie, Zhu, Runhua, Li, Chengyong, Wu, Chengxi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Chemical Society 06.08.2024
• ISSN: 2470-1343; 2470-1343
• DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.4c04538

In the process of acidizing carbonate reservoirs, dissolution is employed for reservoir modification to enhance recovery rates. This study establishes a numerical model at the pore scale for acid–rock reaction flow based on a microscopic continuum medium model, integrating phase-field theory and component transport models. Subsequently, the results of the Darcy–Brinkman–Stokes model are compared to those of the arbitrary Lagrange–Euler method to validate the accuracy of the model. Finally, the flow behavior of the acid solution at the pore scale and the complex dissolution mechanisms in carbonate reservoirs are analyzed. The research indicates that the microscopic pore-scale dissolution in carbonate reservoirs mainly manifests as five dissolution modes: uniform dissolution, compact dissolution, conical wormholes, dominant wormhole, and ramified wormholes. Different distributions of microfractures will alter the flow state of the acid solution and the rock-acid reaction process within the pores. Once the wormhole breakthrough occurs, there is an increased probability of acid flow through the wormhole to the outlet, leading to a decrease in the effectiveness of the acidizing carbonate reservoirs. A proper understanding of pore-scale acid–rock reaction laws is of great significance for the development of carbonate oil and gas reservoirs.