Journal of Canadian Petroleum Technology, Vol.47, No.5, 48-55, 2008
A theoretical and numerical investigation of the pseudoskin factor
Partial completion of wells to inhibit gas and/or water coning in producing wells has been a common practice in the petroleum industry for many years. This procedure, however, causes an additional pressure drop or pseudoskin that reduces the well productivity. In formations that are producing with partial completion , the precise quantification of this additional pressure drop is of paramount importance for completely identifying the existence of formation damage. Many authors have proposed mathematical solutions that can be used to estimate the pseudoskin factor caused by restricted entry. In this work, a comprehensive investigation of the available models listed in the literature used for the estimation of pseudoskin due to restricted entry was performed. Selected models were implemented in a methodology and computer program. Then, a sensitivity analysis focusing on producing wells was carried out. The effect of the height of the producing interval, height from the middle portion of the producing interval to the bottom of the reservoir, reservoir thickness, horizontal and vertical permeabilities and wellbore radius were investigated. Furthermore, the extension of the methodology for the determination of mechanical skin in injectivity and fall-off tests executed in injector wells is described. At the end of this paper, an example highlights the range of applicability and potential benefits of the proposed methodology.