Optimization of the vibration parameters in the vibro-seismic applications.

The applications of the vibro-seismic technology in the petroleum industry are the subject of interest for many researchers. These applications are oriented to enhancing the reservoir rock and fluids properties and thus increasing reservoirs productivity. The vibro-seismic technology is based on vibrating the formation rock with a pre-determined frequency and energy (amplitude) using either an acoustic wave or a physical vibrator. Previous laboratory work reported that the combination of these parameters can result in enhancing or also damaging the rock properties. One important parameter in the vibration process that was not fully investigated by the previous published work is the effect of the vibration time (duration) on the reservoir properties. Also, none of the previous work discussed the optimum combinations of these parameters that ensures the enhancement of the rock properties. In this paper, laboratory measurements are conducted on multiple core plugs, field and outcrop, using various combinations of the parameters, frequency, amplitude, and time to determine the optimum combination that ensures the enhancement of the porosity and the permeability of the reservoir rock. The duration (time) in this work is also varied between continuous and time-steps. In the continuous time measurements, the vibrating frequency and the amplitude are kept constant for the entire period of the vibration process. In the time-steps measurements the vibration stopped after every time step and the measurements of the properties are taken to determine the optimum time that generated the maximum positive impact on the rock properties. Another angle in this research is oriented to answer an important question; can the damaged property due to the vibration be reversed or at least partially reversed by repeating the vibration with a better set of parameters. The laboratory work showed that the optimization of the vibration parameters is essential before starting any field trials. It is very critical to determine the optimum vibrating parameters in the laboratory using core plugs before the field applications. The wrong combination of the three parameters can result in damaging the rock properties specially the rock permeability. Also, a very important finding in this work is that the damaged parameters can be totally and/or partially recovered if the vibration is repeated with the optimum set of the vibration parameters. • This work aims to optimize the vibration parameters of the vibro-seismic applications in the oil fields. • It also investigated the possibility of reversing damages if occurred due to the vibration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]