Stabilization of porous reservoir by stressed filter

A mechanical stability theory for stressed wellbore filters was developed. The stressed-state solution was obtained for the stressed filter in a uniform porous reservoir by considering the nonlinearity of fluid flow and compressibility of a fluid. It was found that, in typical cases, a stressed filter stabilizes a poorly consolidated reservoir rock. A formula was derived for the critical production rate, at which the rock experiences failure. No destruction of the reservoir rock was observed when using a stressed filter with parameters similar to those of wire-wrapped screens under underground gas storage conditions. For low Young's modulus values, the rock remains in an elastic condition; for high Young's modulus conditions, a thin plastic zone may develop adjacent to the stressed filter, but without impairing the overall stability of the zone. Even in the case of a significant permeability reduction arising from particle movement or saturation changes, the stressed filter stabilizes the bed. During water and gas co-production, the stressed filter appears to sustain wall stability even at high levels of water saturation.The theory that is presented is valid both for inflow and for outflow. The theory can be used for the design of stressed filters and completion of wellbores for both oil and gas fields, as well as in the case of underground gas storage facilities.