SPE 64512

A New Method of Numerical Simulation for Perforation Completion of Fracture

Formation
Zhanghua Lian, Yingfeng Meng, Min Tong. Southwest Petroleum Institute, P.R.China

Copyright 2000, Society of Petroleum Engineers Inc.

This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference
and Exhibition held in Brisbane, Australia, 1618 October 2000.
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Abstract
Based on the photoelectric testing system in this paper, the
geometry data of core fracture in reservoir zone was obtained,
we inversed the core-fracture data to the borehole wall, and
then extended the formation. In this paper, the model of 3D
finite-element fluid flow for the fracture formation was
established by a series of mathematical and mechanical
equations and the fracture coupled with formation. The model
included various parameters, which influenced the production
ratio (PR) of perforation completion of fracture formation,
especially fracture thickness, fracture number, and its
orientation, as well as fracture permeability. In light of the
model, we analyzed the flow rate in perforation and the
distribution of pressure and velocity field around the
perforation for four cases: the perforation tunnel is far away,
near, cross and parallel the fracture. The paper described the
PR curves varying with perforation diameter and length, and
fracture thickness, these results provided a new idea for
optimum design and PR prediction of perforation completion
under fracture. It has a practical engineering meaning for the
evaluation of perforation completion of fracture formation.
Introduction
Perforated completion is one of the extensively used methods
of oil and gas completion in oil field at home and abroad.
Many researchers [1~5] have done a lot of studies in this area
for a long time, the main objective is to study various relevant
parameters to improve its production ratio. Summarizing the
previous researchers achievement, we can divide the methods
into two classifications: 1) experimentation, 2) theoretical
method. Experimentation includes the perforated completion

of real models in laboratory, as well as spot logging

experimentation. Theoretical methods include formula
derivation and finite element method (FEM). The theoretical
method is assumed that the fluid flow in the permeable
formation can be modeled by potential theory, that is, as a
solution to Laplaces equation, subject to particular boundary
conditions. FEM directly applies the basic equations of fluid
flow and variation principle, and then disperses the perforated
completion model. Actually, experimentation and theoretical
method are not separated two parts. Various related
parameters can be tested by experiment, it provides the
modified factors for the theoretical formula, such as the skin
factor, drilling damaged factor and completion factor, and so
on.
Experimentation is involved some testing apparatus,
investment bigger, period longer. Since there are a lot of
experimental data [1~5] can be quoted and used for reference at
home and abroad. In this paper, we focused on the theoretical
FEM to analyze and study the various parameters of the
perforated completion, established the models and meshed
them. It provides reasonable models for the optimum design
of the perforated completion. We use 5 kinds of permeability
to simulate the perforated completion model, i.e. first,
fracture, second, borehole and perforation tunnel; third,
crushed (compacted) zone around the perforation tunnel;
fourth, drilling damaged zone formation; finally, undamaged
zone formation.
With the development of FEM theory, enhancement of
computer running speed, and the enlargement of computer
memory, it makes that the FEM becomes a economy and
simple method to solve the productivity of the perforated
completion. A fluid flow through the formation, finally,
converges into the perforated tunnels and borehole.
Practically, there is not a fluid flow through porous medium
in the perforated tunnels and borehole, it belongs to the liquid
flow problems in pipe. In order to simulate the
communication tunnels between the formation and borehole.
We used a material permeability to simulate the perforated
tunnels and borehole in the finite element models, and the
permeability is infinitely great with respect to the

ZHANGHUA LIAN

permeability of formation material. The basic theory of the

fluid flow sees Appendix A.
Rock Fracture Test
Rock fracture was tested with a 3D Photoelectric Testing
System (3DPTS), its sampling step is 0.1mm, and the
accuracy is 10m, so the 3DPTS can satisfy the test of nature
fracture. We mainly tested the fracture width and its
coordination on rock core with 3DPTS, and then the fracture
data on core was inversed to the borehole, furthermore,
extended to the formation, finally, we got the 3D-fracture
formation model. Fig.1a shown as the original core, one
fracture can be seen clearly. Fig.1b is the result of 3DPTS, the
fracture of Fig. 1b was digitized, and the digitized data was
easily inversed to the formation.
Basic Assumptions
The geometry size of each perforated tunnel is not equal
after perforated completion. Even some perforations were
plugged by segments of shaped-charge. The size and
thickness of crushed zone around the perforated tunnel are not
equal, so it will be difficult for us to study the performance of
the perforated completion, it is necessary for the actual
models to be simplified and assumed for the theoretical
research. Hence, several assumptions and simplifications as
following for the perforated completion[6]:
1 Assume each perforation tunnel is not plugged;
2 assume each perforation tunnel is simplified as a cylinder;
3 assume the diameter and length of each tunnel is equal,
respectively;
4 assume the thickness around each perforated tunnel is
equal;
5 Assume the permeability of borehole and perforated tunnel
with respect to the permeability of formations is infinite.
3D Fracture formation FEM Solid Model
1 Solid Model
Shown as Fig.2, the 3D solid model of the fractureperforated completion at 60o phasing spiral shot type (its basic
parameters see Appendix B). Due to the symmetry, we just
studied the half model. The fracture in Fig.2 is the inversed
fracture of 3DPTS in Fig.1b.
In the FEM model, we used 5 kinds of permeability
material to simulate the permeability of perforation, crushed
zone, formation damaged zone, formation undamaged zone
and fracture, respectively. Boundary condition is the pressure
Pd of outer formation boundary, the exit pressure of each
perforation is the borehole pressure Pj , the pressure
difference P=Pd Pj . Under the pressure P, according to the
fracture model and ANSYS software, we can study the exit
flow rate and velocity of each perforation, i.e., we can analyze
the flow rate in perforation near the fracture, cross the
fracture, and parallel fracture.
2 Model Meshed
3D model meshed is much more complex than 2D

SPE 64512

model[6] meshed, inappropriate model meshed maybe fail to

calculate results, the results dont converge, i.e. the result is
far away the real result. Since the size of perforated tunnel
and crushed zone is much smaller than that of formation, we
are mainly concern with the fluid flow in perforated tunnel
and around the compacted zone. Consequently, the mesh of
the perforation and crushed zone models must be fine. And
that of the formation model should be sparse in the study so
that it satisfies the engineering requirements. And reduces the
number of the elements and nodes to improve the running
speed so as to reduce the running cost. According to the
experience, the order of the perforated completion models
meshed is, 1 fracture; 2 crushed zone; 3 perforated tunnel; 4
undamaged zone formation; 5 drilling damaged zone
formation.
Except fracture meshed with 8-node shell elements, the
others with 10-node tetrahedron elements. 3D FEM meshed
model includes all structure parameters of perforated
completion, such as borehole radius, wellbore radius, drilling
damaged depth, perforation length, the diameter of perforated
tunnel, thickness of crushed zone, phasing, shot density and
formation radius, and more. One of the parameters is
changed, the corresponding FEM model and mesh can be
obtained quickly.
Results
1 Analysis of Velocity in Perforation and Crushed Zone
3D solid model and velocity distribution of crushed zone
and tunnel are shown as Fig. 4(a), (b), the curve of velocity of
centerline in tunnel vs. perforation length illustrates in Fig.4
(c), the velocity in exit BC of tunnel is 2.3148 m/s, and
steady. The velocity times the section area of tunnel is the
flow rate of the perforation tunnel.
In local coordinate system of crushed zone around the
perforation tunnel, x-axis along the perforation length, z-axis
along the vertical formation, shown as Fig. 5(b), we will
analyze the velocity of up-outer boundary ABC of crushed
zone (z-axis positive direction). The curves of the velocity
ABC vs. Perforation length are shown as Fig.5(c), the vertical
velocity vz plays an important role in the resultant velocity
vsum=

v x2 + v 2y + v z2 .

The

perforation

length

from

140~160mm, vx is increasing, on the other hand, vy and vz

tends to zero.
2 Analyses of PR, Perforation Length and Shot Density
Based on the 3D-meshed model, Fig.6 illustrates the
curves of the production rate (PR) versus perforation length.
kz/kx=0.5, it indicates the anisotropy formation. Fig. 7
illustrates the curves of PR, shot density versus perforation
length. When perforated completion has not damaged and
crushed zone in Fig.6, the PR at a1 on curve n1 is near the
ideal PR 1 (namely, the open-hole completion PR). However,
the PR of damaged formation is only 0.74 on curve n2, the
latter, the PR at a2 on curve n2 is near 1 behind the damaged

SPE 64512

A NEW METHOD OF NUMERICAL SIMULATION FOR PERFORATION COMPLETION OF FRACTURE FORMATION

length 200mm.
The shot densities increase from 10 to 20 per meter, its PR
increases clearly, shown as Fig.7, however, the shot densities
from 20 to 40 per meter, its PR increases little. Consequently,
it is not important that the shot density is increased to improve
the PR when the shot density is up to certain value. The
parameters of the curves with damaged and crushed n2 in
Fig.6 and dotted in Fig.7 are equal except the permeability
ratio kz/kx. Under isotropic formation (kz/kx=1.0) in Fig.7, the
greater the pressure difference between formation and
borehole, the higher its PR,. Hence, it will improve the PR
that the borehole pressure is adjusted.
Above all, the tunnel length, shot density, drilling damaged
zone and crushed zone directly influence on the PR,
consequently, increasing the length of perforation, reducing
the damaged formation and crushed zone, it will be help to
enhance the PR.
3 The Velocity in Perforation and the Fracture Direction
The model of the perforation and fracture in Fig.8 was
extracted from the model in Fig.3, it is easy to analyze the
relation between the velocity in perforations and the fracture.
Only perforation 7 in Fig.8 passed through the fracture at
some angle, here, the crushed zone plugged the fracture,
namely, the fluid in fracture flows through the crushed zone,
and then enters the perforation. The value of the flow velocity
in each perforation exit in Fig.8 was labeled. The maximum
velocity in Fig. 8 is the perforation 3, next is the perforation 7
crossed the fracture, and then, decreasing in order, perforation
8, 4, 6, 2, 5 and 1. The flow speed of the perforation 7 is not
the maximum although it crossed the fracture, so the crushed
zone hindered the flow passing.
From Fig.8, the nearer the perforation apart from the
fracture, the greater their flow velocities, on the other hand,
the smaller. Consequently, the perforated tunnel should be
near the fracture or cross the fracture. The smaller the angle
between the perforation direction and the fracture, the greater
the flow velocity in perforation. Such as that the velocity in
perforation 3 is greater than that in perforation 8.
The difference between Fig.8 and Fig.9 is that the crushed
zone in perforation 7 was removed. The other basic
parameters did not changed.
From Fig.9, the exit velocity of the perforation 7 crossing
the fracture is 14.264 m/s, its velocity is 5.4~6.7 times that of
other perforations. It will increase greatly the PR of the
fracture-perforated completion if the crushed zone in fracture
is removed.
Compared the Fig.8 and the Fig.9, except the velocity of
perforation 7 in Fig.9, the others are lower than that in Fig.6,
and the velocity in perforation 8 changed greater than that of
others. It indicates that the results of numerical simulation are
in good agreement with the fluid flow law.
4 Flow Field in Fracture
Fig.10 and Fig.11 are the fracture plugged and unplugged
by crushed zone, respectively. The velocity change in Fig.10b
is smaller than that in Fig.11b, one from 0.127~0.419m/s, the

other from 0.2~12.9m/s, consequently, it will greatly

influenced the velocity field in fracture whether the fracture is
plugged or unplugged by crushed zone.
Conclusion
1 It provides a new method for perforated completion of
fracture formation.
2 It is not important that the shot density is increased to
improve the PR when the shot density is up to certain value.
3 The perforation length, shot density, drilling damaged zone
directly influence on the PR, hence, increasing the damaged
formation and crushed zone, it will be help to enhance the
PR.
4 it will greatly influenced the velocity field in fracture
whether the fracture is plugged or unplugged by crushed
zone.
5 It will increase greatly the PR of the fracture-perforated
completion if the crushed zone in fracture is removed.
6 This paper provides the theoretical method for optimum
design and performance evaluation of perforated completion
of fracture formation.
Nomenclature
kx, ky horizontal permeability, m2,
kz vertical permeability, m2,
, the fluid viscosity, cp,
, Phasing, Deg.
n, shot density, the number of tunnels per meter, n/m,
vx, vy, vz, velocity in x,y,z direction, respectively, m/s,
v, resultant velocity of vx, vy, vz, m/s
x, y, z, subscript x, y, x direction, respectively. mm.
p(x,y,z), pressure potential function, MPa.
PR, Production Ratio,
FEM, Finite Element Method.
3D, three dimension.
Acknowledgments
Support for this work by the State Key Laboratory of Oil/Gas
Reservoir Geology and Exploitation (Project No. PLN9908)of
SWPI, P.R.of China, as well as China National Petroleum
Company (CNPC,No. 260).
Reference
1. Harris, K.C. The Effect of Perforating on Well Productivity, JPT.
April, 1966,pp518~528.
2. Mcleod, H.O. Jr. The Effect of Perforating Conditions on Well
Performance, JPT, Jan. 1983, pp31~39.
3. Tariq, S. M. Evaluation of Nonlinear Effects Using Finite Element
Method, SPE Prod. Eng. May 1987, pp104~112.
4. Y.L. Tang, Y.D.Pan, Application of Finite Element Method in
Perforated Completion. ACTA Petrolei Sinica.
1989(3):pp48~58.
5. M.Asadi, A Ghalambor, at el, Assessment of Jet Perforated Rock
Damage by Finite Element Method, SPE 38140,1997,pp25~32.
6. Zhanghua Lian, Y.F.Meng, M. Tong. Finite Element Models

ZHANGHUA LIAN

Created And Meshed In Perforated Completion. Journal of

Southwest Petroleum Institute, P.R.of China, May, 2000, Vol. 22,
No.2.

SPE 64512

Outer radius of formation, r4, 1000mm,

Shot density, 20/m,
Phasing, 60o,
Fracture width, 100m.

Appendix A
Equations of Fluid Flow through Porous Medium
1 3D Fluid Flow
Assume the multi-porous medium of the formation is
single phase steady Darcy flow, no convergence, the
horizontal permeability kx, ky of formation are equal, i.e.
kx,=ky . the vertical permeability is kz , the pressure potential
function is p(x,y,z), the fluid flow velocities in x, y, z
direction are vx, vy, and vz , respectively. The fluid flow
equations can be created as following:
1) continuity equation
v x v y v z
+
+
=0
(1)
x
y
z
2) Darcys Law
p
p
p
(2)
vx = kx , vy = ky , vz = kz
x
y
x
3) Steady fluid flow differential equation
Substituting Eq.(2) into Eq.(1), we can obtain Eq.(3)
p p p
(3)
kx + k y + kz = 0
x x y y z z
When kx, ky , kz are constant, Eq.(3) can be simplified as
following
2 p

+ ky

2 p

+ kz

2 p

=0
(4)
x 2
y 2
z 2
If the formation is isotropic, namely, kx=ky=kz , Eq.(4) is the
Laplace Equation.
kx

2 Finite Element Variation Equation

In the research spatial region , based on the law of
conservation of mass, the variation equation of pressure
potential function and velocities can be expressed as
following:

(k x p x v x + k y p y v y + k z p z v z )dxdydz = 0

(5)

Appendix B
1 Geometry Structure Parameters
Drilling damaged depth, 200mm,
Perforation length, 120mm,
Diameter of perforation, 12mm,
Thickness of crushed zone, 12mm,
Diameter of open borehole, 215.9mm,
Outer diameter of casing, 177.8mm,
Thickness of casing, 10.5mm,
Inner radius of casing, r1, 78.36 mm,
Radius of wellbore, r2, 107.95mm,
Radius of drilling damaged zone, r3, 307.95mm,

2 Permeability of Formation
Horizontal permeability kx,ky, 1.0m2,
Vertical permeability kz, 0.5m2,
Crushed zone permeability, 0.1m2,
Damaged zone permeability, 0.4m2,
Simulated permeability of borehole and tunnel, 107m2,
3 Pressure of Formation and Borehole
Formation reservoir pressure, 32MPa,
Borehole pressure, 27MPa
Pressure difference between formation and borehole 5.0MPa .

SPE 64512

A NEW METHOD OF NUMERICAL SIMULATION FOR PERFORATION COMPLETION OF FRACTURE FORMATION

1 fracture

Nature fracture

a. Original core

b. Digitized fracture core of 3DPTS

Fig.1 core in fracture

3 perforation
2 crushed zone
5 damaged formation
4 undamaged formation

Fig.2 FEM solid model of fracture perforation

Fig.3 FEM meshed model of fracture perforation

(a) 3D solid model of crushed zone

z
(a) 3D solid model of crushed zone and tunnel

(b) velocity distribution in crushed zone

v
0.03

(b) velocity distribution in crushed zone and tunnel

Velocity m/s

0.02

2.5
Velocity (m/s)

2
1.5

Vsum

0.01

Vy

0.00
-0.01 0

20

40

60

80

120

140

-0.02

1
0.5

160

Vx

-0.03
Perforation length mm

Vz

(C) velocity of up-outer boundary (ABC) on crushed zone

A
0

100

20

40

60

80

100

Perforation length (mm)

(c) velocity of centerline in tunnel

Fig.4 The velocity in a perforation

120

Fig.5 The velocity of out boundary of crushed rock in

perforation

ZHANGHUA LIAN

Without damaged and crushed zone

1.4
1.2

Open-hole

PR

0.4
0.2
0
30

a1
a2

Anisotropic Ky/Kx =0.5

formation permeability
Kx=1m2
fluid viscosity 0.7 cp

600 phasing spiral type

diameter 12mm
crushed thickness 12mm

80

fracture
2.774

0.8
0.6

SPE 64512

280

m/s

2.82

With damaged and crushed

damaged depth 200mm
damaged degree 0.4
crushed degree 0.1
pressure difference 1.5MPa
shot density 20 per meter

180 200 230

130

crushed zone plugged the fracture

2.6935

6
5

2.639

330
2.7015

Perforation length (mm)

4
Fig.6 curves of PR vs. Perforation length

2.861
max

2.6705

2
1

2.4345
min

1.4
1.3

Anisotropic Ky/Kx =0.5

formation permeability
Kx=1m2
fluid viscosity 0.7 cp

600 phasing spiral type

diameter 12mm
crushed thickness 12mm

1.2
1.1
PR

Fig.8 exit velocity of perforation and fracture position

(crushed zone in perforation 7 plugged the fracture)

With damaged and crushed

damaged depth 200mm
damaged degree 0.4
crushed degree 0.1

1.5

2.125

crushed zone unplugged the fracture

min

14.264
max

Open-hole

0.9

m/s

fracture

Shot density
40/m
20/m
10/m

2.313

pressure difference 5MPa

0.8

2.481

0.7
0.6
30

2.489

80

130
180 200 230
Perforation length (mm)

280

Fig.7 curves of PR vs. Perforation length and shot density

2.622

2.516

2
2.353

Fig.9 exit velocity of perforation and fracture position

(crushed zone in perforation 7 unplugged the fracture)
MPa
MPa

min

max

min

max

m/s

m/s

a Pressure field in fracture

max

min
max

min

a pressure field in fracture

b velocity field in fracture

b velocity field in fracture

Fig. 10 pressure and velocity distribution in fracture

(crushed zone in perforation 7 plugged the fracture)

Fig. 11 pressure and velocity distribution in fracture

(crushed zone in perforation 7 unplugged the fracture)