Sensitivity Analysis of Flow Displacement in Oil Wells

Abstract This work presents a combined experimental and numerical analysis of fluid displacement in wells with enlarged regions, focusing on understanding the dynamics during cementing operations. Experimental data were obtained from the sequential displacement of three non-Newtonian model fluids — Carbopol water-based and glycerin-based at different concentrations. These experiments aimed to replicate real-world cementing conditions, investigating the effects of key parameters such as flow rate, eccentricity, and inclination on displacement efficiency. Fluid displacement efficiency is influenced by multiple factors, including rheological properties, fluid densities, flow rates, and geometric characteristics. Wells with excessive enlargement present significant challenges, often impeding effective fluid removal and compromising zonal isolation. Numerical simulations were performed using Fluent software, which applies the finite volume method to solve the mass and momentum conservation equations. The volume of fluid (VOF) method was used to handle the multiphase nature of the displacement process. The numerical model was validated against experimental results, enabling further exploration of parameter sensitivities and offering deeper insights into displacement dynamics and efficiency. This comprehensive approach highlights the critical interplay between operational and geometric factors in ensuring effective cementing under challenging wellbore conditions.