PETE325 Homework #1 - Skin

Due: one week after posted

Problems
1. Assuming that something changes the permeability near the wellbore. One simple model of this effect is
to assume that this altered zone has uniform permeability, k a, and radius, ra, and that the rest of the
reservoir is undisturbed. Using Darcy’s equation and the definition of ps skin:

141.2qB
ps  s
kh
Derive the Hawkins’ Formula, given as:

k  r 
s    1 ln  a 
 k a   rw 

Bulk
2000
Reservoir Pressure Profile Altered formation
zone
Pressure, psi

1500

k k h
1000 ps
rw

500 ra
1 10 100 1000 10000
Distance from center of wellbore, ft re

2. Note the permeability in this altered zone can be either larger (stimulation) or smaller (damage) than the
original permeability in the undisturbed formation, discuss the sign of the skin for both cases. For a well
radius of 0.328 ft, calculate the maximum skin factor due to stimulation for different drainage areas of,
40, 80, 160 and 640 acres.