SOCIETY OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERS OF AIME

6200 North Central Expressway

Dallas, Texas 75206
=~R SPE 4775
THIS IS A PREPRINT --- SUBJECT TO CORRECTION

Formation Damage Control in Sand Control

and Stimulation Work
By

w.w. Christian, and Hugh J. Ayres, Members AIME, Halliburton Services

©Copyright 1974
American Institute of Mining., Metallurgical~ and Petroleum .Engineers., Inc.

This paper was prepared for the Society of Petroleum Engineers of AIME Symposium on Formation
Damage Control, to be held in New Orleans, La., Feb. 7-8, 1974. Permission to copy is restricted
to an abstract of· not more than 300 words. Illustrations may not be copied. The abstract should
contain conspicuous acknowledgment of where and by whom the paper is presented. Publication else-
where after publication in the JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY or the SOCIETY OF PETROLEUM
ENGINEERS JOURNAL is usually granted upon request to the Editor of the appropriate journal pro-
vided agreement to give proper credit is made.

Discussion of this paper is invited. Three copies of any· discussion should bE: sent to the
Society of PetrOleum Engineers office. Such discussion may be presented at the 'above meeting and,
with the paper, may be considered for publication in one of the two SPE magazines.

ABSTRACT caused a new awareness of this severe problem

Development of techniques, materials and
equipment for the elimination or improvement of
some of the causes of formation damage has been
an objective for several years. Interest has
increased drastically recently because of an
increased awareness of production loss due to
these problems.
Specialized equipment has been built and
research is continuing on improved equipment.
The use of special tankage and blenders, interna
tank and blender coatings, surface and sub-
surface filters, down-hole tools (including
surge tools and washing tools for perforation
clean-out) down-stream (of pump) sand injectors
for gravel packing and other special devices
have proven to have helped in this objective.
Large amoun~s of trash have actually been re-
covered from filters placed directly on top of
squeeze tools used in plastic sand consolidation
jobs. Also, large amounts of trash have been
found in filters that were filtering supposedly
clean fluid just prior to sand control and
stimulation jobs. Trash has·been re~oved
several joints above surge tools just prior to
performing sand control jobs. All of this has
in sand control and stimulation work where clean
fluids are a necessity for successful jobs.
Research is continuing in the field of
stimulation fluids to keep residue to a minimum
after treatments. Additives for aqueous fluids
may p!ovide a. non-swelling environment for clay-
containing formations. Sequestering agents may
be used to keep fines and precipitates released
by acid solutions from restricting flow channels.
Equipment and materials have been used in
the Gulf Coast and other areas to help relieve
formation damage during sand control and stimula-
tion jobs. Continuing research and field appli-
cation are directed toward alleviation of the
problem.
INTRODUCTION
While the general public and government
agencies have only recently become concerned
with the potential dangers of pollution, the
producing segment of the petroleum industry
and the companies which provide service and
materials for downhole treatment of wells have
been acutely aware of cleanliness for some time.

References and illustrations at end of paper.

64 FORMATION DAMAGE CONTROL IN SAND CONTROL AND STIMULATION WORK
. Many of the processes for stimulation of produc-
tion are designed to remove or by-pass "contam-
inants" or damage.
Formation damage may be defined as any-
thing which can interfere with production of
hydrocarbons from a reservoir. The damage may
occur naturally or be self-induced by the well
as the result of fluids being produced. Some-
times the damage may be the result of the inva-
sion of'drilling fluids or other fluids. In
other cases, materials and blocking agents may
be intentionally placed t6 alter' flow charac-
teristics in the formation.
Historically, ~ormation damage or perme-
ability impairment was not always recognized as
a pr·oblem. It is evident that soine reservoirs
were considered to be barren or non-commercial
at the time they were drilled and were later
found to be productive •. The very simple change
was removal or by-passing of formation damage.
Formation damage has played a major role
as the cause of failure of sand control measures
and ·has led to the application of many stimula-
tion treatments. l In order to produce oil or
gas economically, it is very desirable that the
cause of formation damage be recognized. In
addition, remedial steps as well as preventive
measures should be known and available.
CAUSE OF FORMATION DAMAGE
A poorly designed and maintained mud system
can cause a great deal of damage prior to at-
tempted completion of a well. Filtrate may
enter the formation and cause clay-swelling to
considerable depth. , Fine particulate matter
may plug the face of the formation and inter-
fere with fluid movement •. These conditions may
be aggravated by the ram effect of running the
drill string or the casing into the hole too
rapidly.
Perforating may b~ a cause of damage. 2 The
force resulting from a perforating charge can
pulverize the cement and formation in its path
into extremely fine particles and drive them
into the exposed faces and the extremity of the
perforation channel. If a solids-laden fluid
is in the hole at the time of perforating, the
problems may be greatly aggravated.
Many formations contain clays of various
types. 3 If fresh water (or near fresh) is
permitted to invade the formation, swelling may
take place and the flow of fluids can be dras-
tically affected. If the clay is the cementi-
tious material holding a sand formation to-
gether, premature movement of sand may take
place and remedial work will be necessary.
The movement of sand leads to another form
SPE 4775
of damage. Sand collecting in the well-bore
will choke off production. Although outside
the scope of this paper, it should be pointed
out that produced sand may cause extensive
damage to producing equipment.
The mixing of aqueous fluids and native
hydrocarbons can, in some cases, create emul-
sions. The emulsions may interfere with
production. The seriousness of the problem
may be largely dependent on the energy avail-
able in the reservoir. Production from low
pressure reservoirs will be affected more by an
emulsion.
The mixing of formation fines with the sand
used to pack a well may significantly lower
the permeability of the pack. 4 It has been
demonstrated that a mixture of two different
gradations of sand will have a lower perme-
ability than either of them. This condition
may come about during packing for sand control.
It may also be caused by migration of fines into
the pack during production.
Precipitates from produced fluids which
can collect in a well may choke off production.
Asphaltines and paraffins may deposit in the
formation, in the casing or bore hole or in
the production tubing. 5 Minerals contained
in produced water will also create problems by
depositing at various points in the well. 6
Other harmful particulate material may be
introduced in workover fluids 7 (Figure 1).
Even water from municipal sources which appears
to be clean, may yield.an astonishing amount
of solid and colloidal material if filtered.
Pumping equipment, tanks, mixing equipment and
drill pipe or tubing can be sources of parti-
cles, thread lubricant and other undesirable.
material whfch can contaminate a formation.
Acids and sand-laden fluids may clean contam-
inants from tubular goods and carry them into
the formation or mix them with pack sand.
Since this type of damage may exist throughout
a pack as well as in the formation, it may be
difficult to remove.
PREVENTION OF DAMAGE
With the great strides made in recent
years in the development of mud systems, it
would seem that a fluid could be selected
which would be suitable for nearly any well.
A drilling fluid that is carefully selected
and properly maintained should not create any
problems which cannot be readily solved.
Chemical additives for aqueous muds may render
the filtrates non-damaging to clays in the
formation and minimize emulsion problems. 8
Prior to introducing any fluid into a
formation after the well is drilled, the
SPE 4775 w. W. CHRISTIAN and HUGH J. AYRES
formation and the fluids it contains should be
investigated for compatibility with the foreign
fluid if possible. This may forestall emulsion
problems, clay-swelling and other possible
damage. In many cases, additives may be used
in the chosen fluid to prevent problems. A
great variety of surfactants and mutual solvents
are commercially available to aid in preventing
emulsions. 9 The addition of chloride salts
(potassium, annnonium, calcium, etc.) will help
prevent clay swelling. Some acids maO be added
to help with clay swelling problems. l Some-
times a substiture fluid or procedure should
be selected for the treatment.
If stimulation by fracturing is planned,
fluids and additives should be chosen with
care. Gelling agents which are readily dispers-
ible should be used in order to avoid lumps in
.the fluid. ll Proper procedures and equipment
for mixing are very important. It is desirable
that the gelling materials leave a minimum of
residue. If fluid loss additives are used, 12
they should leave as little damage as possible.
There are chemicals available for use in
wells which may permanently or temporarily
alter formation or fluid constituents and
prevent "self-induced" damage. Some materials
are designed to prevent the crystallization or
deposition of scale (calcium carbonate, calcium
sulfate, etc.) at or near the well bore. 6
Others maS inhibit or prevent the deposition of
paraffin. A relatively new material, hydroxy-
aluminum, when injected into a water sensitive
formation, may inhibit swelling of clays caused
by movement of formation water or other
water. 13 ,14 It should be emphasized that the
hydroxy-aluminum isa preventive measure only.
The movement of unconsolidated sand ~hich
can clog a well usually can be prevented. If
the rate of production is restricted sufficient-
ly, there is less tendency to carry sand with
produced fluids. 15 This method seems impracti-
cal with the present demand for hydrocarbons.
By packing a well with a sand which has been
matched to the grain size of the formation and
restraining the pack with a screen ~rlGiY7r,
the' formation may be held in place.' ,
The fluid used to carry the gravel or sand
for a pack should be chosen with care. 7 Since
most water (including potable water for mun~c~­
pal sources) contains particles that can damage
a formation, it may be necessary to filter it
before use. The same may be true of some hydro-
carbons. Filters which are capable of removing
particles in the two-micron range are available
from service companies (Figure 2). Cartridges
with higher ratings may be used. Some of the
fluid loss additives. used in fracturing fluids
. have particles in the 2 to 10 micron range.
If gelled fluids are used, the gelling agents
should be readily dispersible in the base fluids
and should leave a minimum of residue when they
break.
In conjunction with packing, there are
devices for injecting sand down stream of high
pressure pumps (Figure 3). This virtually
eliminates crushing or damaging of pack sand
prior to reaching the perforations. Conven-
tional proportioning devices may also be used
to blend sand with fluids (Figure 4). There
are also mechanical blenders which have been
lined with plastic to avoid contamination of
gelled fluids and other fluids with the products
of corrosion. Equipment which cannot be lined
readily may be cleaned regularly by sand blast-
ing or other means (Figure 5).
Consolidation of incompetent formations
has undergone many improvements in recent years.
Many of these improvements have involved tech-
niques and equipment which improve the cleanli-
ness of the operation. Blending units and tanks
are frequently coated internally with poly-
propylene and other linings (Figure 6). Sur-
factants, mutual solvents and other chemicals
have been developed to guard against damage
to formations. Improved pumping equipment
with better isolation and separation of fluids
is available (Figure 7). Closed tanks are
used to transport and provide on-location
storage of fluids (Figure 8 and Figure 9).
Such tanks also are much safer to use. Filter
units (see above) can be used to remove solid
impurities from fluids (Figure 2).
An experimental down-hole filter has been
developed and used (Figure 10). A thirty-five-
micron steel filter in its own running case
is placed just above a retrievable packer. If
the filter element becomes clogged, a set of
pins will shear with increased pressure which
allows a by-pass to open. A significant amount
of trash and debris has been recovered from
this filter on every run.
When perforating casing for production, a
clean, non-solids fluid should be across the
interval. 2 ,18 If it is necessary to control
fluid penetration, there are fluid loss
additives which are oil soluble and others
which can be removed with acids. In some cases
it is desirable to perforate with, the formation
under-balanced to encourage ejection of per-
foratin~ debris and pulverized formation and
cement. There is one type of perforating gun
which provides a momentary reverse differential
pressure immediately after firing. This tends
to extract debris from the perforation and
leave it clear.
66 FORlYIATION DAlYIAGE CONTROL IN SAND CONTROL AND STIMULATION WORK
REMOVAL OF DAMAGE
Removal of damage of any type is not always
simple. In many cases, it is not possible and
the actual cause of damage is not apparent.
Combined procedures must be used to help
alleviate problems in some wells.
Acids of various types are frequently used
to reduce damage. This damage may cons'ist of
particulate invasion from drilling muds or
completion fluids. Water-swollen clay particles
may be shrunk by proper use of acids. The clays
may be treated with hydroxy-aluminum to help
prevent swelling again after the acid treat-
ment. 13 ,14 Some inherent damage or low perme-
ability may be alleviated using acid solutions
to dissolve deposited particles or portions of
the formation. Numerous surfactants are avail-
,able to aid in cleaning and to avoid emulsions. 9
There are also suspending agents to hold
released fines for removal and chemical retard-
ing agents to delay spending of the acid until
it is pushed farther from the bore-ho~8.9,19
Mutual solvents also aid in cleaning.
Paraffin and some asphaltic materials are
subject to limited removal by solvents although
this method can be very expensive. The most
effective means for removal is the application
of heat by ste~m or other means. An adequate
source of heat must be available for this
operation. If paraffin is deposited in produc-
tion tubing, it may some times be removed by
mechanical means.
Some scale which forms in producing wells
may be removed by simple acid treatments. Other
types of scale must ,be at~icked by complex
multiple-step treatments, by drilling tech-
niques or high pressure jetting.
Flushing fluids containing surfactants of
various kinds are frequently used to break
emulsions occurring in formations. The proper
fluid and surfactant may be selected by pilot
tests on the emulsion to be broken. A more
recent development is micellar solutions which
have been used successfully to remove heavy
ends ~qic~ may clog flow passages near the well-
bore.
Where applicable, fracturing has been used
as a means of by-passing formation damage. This
damage includes skin effect as well as naturally
occurring low permeability.
Cleaning of perforations is very important
since they provide the innned'iate access to the
formation. Cleaning by means of hydrostatic
surging (instantaneous venting to lower pressure~
has been used successfully2,18 (Figure 11).
When the surging operation is complete, the
SPE 4775
trash and debris are allowed to fall into the
rat-hole below the perforations. By manipu-
lation, the tool is opened and the treatment
performed without removing the surge tool.
Washing of perforations with a high pressure
pump and an opposed cup packer with short
spacing between cups is also a commonly used
method (Figure 12). Both of these means of
perforation cleaning are used extensively in
preparation for control of unconsolidated sands.
High pressure jetting is also an effective
method of removing debris from perforations.
Acids may also be used to open the passages.
RESEARCH
Work continues among research groups to
find cleaner fluids which are less likely to
cause damage and for more efficient means of
removing damage.
Among objectives of research are such
things as better dispersibility of gelling
agents, low residue g~lling agents, completely
soluble £luid loss agents and better suspend-
ing agents for the products of acidization.
There is a need for better surfactants and
mutual solvents. Studies are being conducted
with regard to wetting, emulsion prevention
and sludge prevention. These materials will
be used in acid solutions and in preflushes
for fracturing and sand control to reduce
problems with emulsions and other damage. They
may also aid in the di.spersal of sand control
resins with better coverage resulting.
There are also investigations of processes
to stabilize clays and of ways to retard acid
systems for use on clays and other silicious
minerals. Better methods of mud removal and
preflushes for cementing systems are being
developed.
Recent research efforts have resulted in
means of placing cleaner sand (gravel) packs
to control formation sand. There are efforts
to find stronger resins which will leave more
of the original permeability after a formation
is consolidated.
Efforts are being made to find improved
coatings which will prevent corrosion of the
inside of equipment. Improvements are also
being made in corrosion inhibitors for use in
acids. Such corrosion may result in particles
being carried down hole and contaminating the
producing interval. Reprecipitation of corro-
sion products in the reservoir may also occur.
SPE 4775 W. W. CHRISTIAN and.HUGHJ. AYRES 67

EDUCATION

A continuing problem and responsibility of Most damage can be removed or alleviated.

the industry is the education and training of
its employees in both old and new techniques
and processes. Many of the problems associated
with formation damage can be avoided or made
less severe if proper safeguards and remedial
steps are used.
SUMMARY
Formation damage may be the result of natu-
ral occurrences or conditions in a well or may
result from actions or events attendant to
recovery of hydrocarbons from the well. Among
the causes are:
In some cases the damage is so severe it is
more economical to by-pass than to remove it.
Among procedures to help restore production
are:
1. Removal of particulate matter
with acids.
2. Shrinkage of clays with acid and
inhibition of swelling with hydroxy-
aluminum.
3. Removal of paraffins by means of
solvents, heat or mechanical means.

1. Penetration of trash and particulate 4. Removal of scales by chemical means.

matter from drilling and work-over
fluids. 5. Breaking emulsions with surfactant
flushes, mutual solvents and micellar
2. Perforating debris. solutions.

3. Clay-swelling. 6. By-passing damage by fracturing.

4. Movement of unconsolidated sand. 7. Cleaning perforation channels by

mechanical and chemical means.
5. Emulsions.
Additional research is directed toward
6. Formation fines. prevention and removal of damage.

7. Deposition of solids from produced ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

fluids.
8. Debris from tubular goods and equipment
carried by treating fluids.
In many cases d~mage may be avoided by
recognizing potential causes and taking
preventive measures. Precautionary steps may
include:
1. Chemical additives for muds, work-
over fluids and stimulation and
treating fluids.
2. Careful screening of fluids and
additives for fluids.
3. Use of chemicals to inhibit or alter
formation constituents.
4. Preventing movement of unconsolidated
sands.
5. Filtering fluids before introducing
into well.
The authors wish to thank Halliburton
Services for permission to .publish this paper.
REFERENCES
1. van Poolen, H. K., "Productivity vs.
Permeability Damage in Hydraulically
Produced Fractures," API PaEer 906-2-G
(Dallas, Texas, March 6-8, 1957).
2. Suman, G. 0., Jr., "Perforations - A
Prime Source of Well Performance
Prohlems," [PE Paper 3445 (New Orleans,
Louisiana, Oct. 3-6, 1971).
3. Hower, W. F., "Influence of Clays on
Production of Hydrocarbons," .§.~E PaE.eE.
4785 (New Orleans, Louisiana, Feb. 7-8,
1974).
4. Sparlin, Derry, "Fight Sand with Sand -
A Realistic Approach to Gravel Packing,"
SPE Paper 2642 (Denver, Colorado,
Sept. 28 - Oct. 1, 1969).

6. Using clean tubular goods and mixing 5. Waters, A. B., Arnold, B. B., and Knox,
and storage equipment. J. A., irA New Approach to the Paraffin
Problem,H API Paper 85l:".37-b (Amarillo,
7. Perforating with care. Texas, March 27-29, 1963).
68 FORMATION DA:MAGE CONTROL IN SAND CONTROL AND STIMULATION WORK
6. Lasater, R. M., Gardner, T. M., and
Glasscock, F. M., "Scale Deposits are
Now Controlled with Liquid Inhibitors,"
Oil and Gas Journal, (Jan. 15, 1968).
7. Saucier, R. J., "Gravel Pack Design Con-,
siderations," SPE PaEer 4030 (San
Antonio, Texas~ Oct. 8-11, 1972).
8 • .0'Brien, D. E., and Chenovert, M. E.,
"Stabilizing Sensitive Shales with
Inhibited, Potassium-Based Drilling
Fluids," J. Pet. Techn., ·P. 1089-1100
(Sept., 1973).
9. Hall, B. E.,. and Lasater, R. M., "Sur-
factants for Well Stimulation," Division
of Petroleum Chemistu, -Americ-anChemical
Society (Houston, Texas, Feb. 22-27,
1970) •
10. Black, H. N., and Hower, W. F., "Advan-
tageous Use -of Potassi~m Chloride Water
for Fracturing Water Sensitive Forma-
tions," API Paper 851-39-F (Wichita,
Kansas, March 31 - April 2, 1965).
11. Ho1ditch, S. A., and Ely, John, "Success-
ful Stimulation of Deep Wells Using
High Proppant Concentrations," J. of Pet.
Techn., ·P. 959-964 (August, 1973).
12. Waters, A. B., and Tinsley, J. M., "Gas
Well Deliverabi1ity Improved by Planned
Fracturing Treatments," SPE Paper 1275
(Denver, Colorado, Oct. 3-6, 1965).
13. Reed, M. G., !"Stahilization Qf' Formation
Clays with Hydroxy-Aluminum Solutions,"
SPE PaE.er 3694 (Los Ange les, Ca lif. ,
Nov. 4-5, 1971).
·14. Coppel, C. P., Jennings, H. Y., and
Reed, M. G., "Field Results from Wells
Treated with HydrQxy-Aluminum," SPE
Paper 399~ (San. Antonio, Texas,
Oct. 8-l1~ 1972).
SPE 4775
15. Ste-in, N., and Hilchie,D. W., "Esti-
mation of :M'.aximum Production Rates
Possible from Friable Sandstones with-
out Using Sand Control Measures," SPE
Paper 3499 (New Orleans, Louisiana,
Oct. 3-6, 1971).
16 • Maly , G. P-., and Krueger, R. F., "Im-
proper Formation Sampling Leads to
Improper Gravel Size Selection," SPE
Paper 3041 (Houston, Texas, Oct. 4-7,
1970) •
17 • Ayres, H. J. ,. and Ramos, J., "Guide-
lines to Sand Control," Petroleum
Engineer (July, Sept., and Oct., 1972 -
3 parts).
18. McCauley, T. V., "Experience with
Backsurging and Abrasive Perforat-
ing to Obtain Improved Perforation
Performance," SPE Paper 3449 (New
Orleans, Louisiana, Oct. 3-6, 1971).
19. Knox, J. A., "Acidizing, Past, Present
and Future," Petroleum Society of CIM
(Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, :M'.ay 8,
1973).
20. Gidley, John L., "Stimulation of Sand-
stone Formations with The Acid-Mutual
Solvent Method," 8PE Paper 3007
(Houston, Texas, Oct. 4-7, 1970).
21. Knox, J. A., Brogdon, B. R., and
Carlile, W.· C., "Preparation and
Stimulation of Water Injection ~nd
Disposal Wells," Southwestern Petroleum
Short Cours~, Texas Tech University
(Lubbock, Texas, April 17-18, 1968).
22. Dauben, D. L., and Froning, H. R.,
"Micellar Solutions Stimulate Wells,"
Oil and Gas Journal (Sept. 18, 1972).
Figure 1. - Dirty Element fr'Jm Unit Used t'J Filter Fluids Before Using in Well.

Figure 2. - Filter Unit wu:n Clean Elements

 Figure 3. - Device for Injecting Sand Downstream of Pump

Figure 4. - Small Proportioner for Gravel Pack or Consolidated

Pack Operations
Figure 5. - Sand-Blasted and Cleaned Measuring Tank

Figure 6. - Mixer for Resin (Sand Consolidation) with Polypropylene Lining

 Figure 7. - Twin Pump Unit Used for Sand Control. Pumps have
Separate Suction Manifol~s to Eliminate Mixing of Fluids

Figure ~. _ Transport and .On-Location Storage Tank for Fluids (for Off-shore use)
Figure 9. - Enclosed and Calibrated Measuring Tanks on Chemical Service Boat

~II---- BALL

~~SHEAR PIN

"-:_l}-- FILTER

DOWN-HOLE FILTER
Figure lao - Down-Hole Filter Run Just Above Packer
 Figure 11. - Tools 'for Surging (Venting to Lower Pressure) Perforations

Figure 12. - Opposed Cup Packer with Short Spa.cing for Perforation Washing