VIBRO-STIMULATION TECHNOLOGY IN CLAY-BEARING RESERVOIRS
Abstract
Clay-bearing reservoirs remain among the most challenging targets for hydrocarbon production due to swelling of clay minerals, fines migration, and permeability reduction in the near-wellbore zone. Vibro-stimulation (VS), a physical method based on low-frequency elastic waves, is considered a promising non-chemical technique to improve permeability and mobilize trapped fluids. This study summarizes the physical mechanisms of vibrational influence on clay-containing formations, examines implementation methods, and evaluates field performance. Laboratory and field data indicate that properly tuned VS cycles can increase oil production rates by 15–60% and injectivity of water-injection wells by 20–50%. The results suggest that VS is an effective complementary technology for complex reservoirs where conventional treatments often show limited success.
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