TABLE OF CONTENTS In this chapter, a brief review of the commonly practiced laboratory procedures and measurement techniques is presented. The evaluation of the core samples, preparation and characterization of the fluid samples, and experimental design, instrumentation, and measurement techniques are described. The laboratory procedures required for investigation of the various formation damage problems are discussed. Guidelines, program, and protocol for laboratory formation damage testing are provided. The application of these techniques and methodologies is demonstrated for determination of the formation damage potential of typical reservoir production alternatives.
Frequently, the formation damage potential of petroleum-bearing formations and methods of circumventing and remediation of formation damage are investigated by subjecting the reservoir core samples to flow at near in situ conditions in the laboratory. The scenarios planned for field applications are simulated in the laboratory under controlled conditions and the response of the core samples under these conditions are measured. The tests carried out over a range of variables yield valuable data and insight into the reaction of the core samples to fluid conditions and its effect on the alteration of the core properties. These data can be used for model-assisted analysis of the processes leading to formation damage. This exercise yields important information about the relative contributions of the various mechanisms to formation damage and help determine the values of the relevant process parameters.
