Open Access

ARTICLE

Integrated Experimental and Numerical Analysis of Particle Migration Effects on Produced Water Reinjection in Offshore Reservoirs

Mengna Cheng¹, Hao Guo², Feng Cao², Jie Gong¹, Fengshuang Du^1,*

1 School of Petroleum Engineering, Yangtze University, Wuhan, 430100, China
2 China National Offshore Oil Corporation (China) Limited, Zhanjiang Branch, Zhanjiang, 524057, China

* Corresponding Author: Fengshuang Du. Email:

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Multiphase Fluid Flow Behaviors in Oil, Gas, Water, and Solid Systems during CCUS Processes in Hydrocarbon Reservoirs)

Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing 2025, 21(10), 2629-2650. https://doi.org/10.32604/fdmp.2025.070344

Received 14 July 2025; Accepted 29 September 2025; Issue published 30 October 2025

Abstract

Produced water reinjection is a common strategy in offshore oilfield operations, yet the presence of solid particles in produced water can lead to localized formation pressure buildup, increasing the risk of rock fracturing and leakage. In this study, we present an integrated experimental and numerical investigation to quantify the effects of particle migration on formation pressure and the spatial diffusion of injected water. Dynamic plugging experiments were performed to systematically examine the influence of injection rate and injection volume on core permeability. Results demonstrate that higher injection rates substantially reduce permeability, and the derived relationship between permeability and injection volume enables dynamic assessment of permeability evolution during reinjection. Complementary numerical simulations explored the impacts of injection length, particle concentration, and injection rate on formation pressure and diffusion behavior. Findings indicate that extending the injection section promotes pressure distribution and enlarges the diffusion area, whereas elevated particle concentrations and injection rates accelerate formation plugging, causing rapid pressure rise and constrained diffusion.

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Keywords

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