ESCUELA POLITÉCNICA NACIONAL

FACULTAD DE GEOLOGÍA Y PETRÓLEOS

TRATAMIENTO DE AGUAS DE FORMACIÓN
Nombre: Zulay Gómez Fecha: 22/01/2019
Why do clays swell?

The clays present in the hydrocarbon-producing rocks generally come from two processes: the
mechanical in which the clays are deposited simultaneously with the other minerals and the
chemical process in which the smallest particles of clay located in the porous spaces of the rock
they precipitate or react with the formation water. The problem of the clays is that when they react
with the formation water they have to swell and generate blockages in the porous spaces.

The dispersion mechanism of clays depends

on the charges on its surface. "The clays
have negative charges on their surface
balanced by the cations that act by
electrostatic attraction to the negatively
charged particles, in turn a repulsion
between these cations occurs." (Islands,
1991). This implies that in a medium with a
greater number of anions (brine) the
dispersion will be smaller. The hydration of
the interchangeable cations on the surface of the clay is the cause of the swelling. For example:
in the smectite, although the ionic radius of calcium is smaller than that of potassium, in a hydrated
state the ionic radius of calcium is greater than that of potassium, producing an increase in the
thickness of the clay. Smectite is one of the clays most prone to swelling because it has weak
bonds between its layers.

How does clay control work?

There are chemicals that are used to maintain the fine particles of clays and silicon compounds
that, after remaining plugging the permeability of the formation, have been removed after an acid
stimulation work, performed on limestones and dolomites with impurities, to be subsequently
eliminated. of the formation by well flow, piston or by nitrogen expansion. These additives are
known as sequestering agents and can be added to most acid solution treatments. Another
available additive, are polymers that at a molecular level create an effect of entrapment of fines
to keep them in suspension. During drilling clay inhibitor additives are used to avoid contact of
water or oil, or that this contact is minimal and does not cause damage to the formation. Should
this damage occur, treatment or stimulation of wells should be carried out.

Bibliografía
Corrales, M. (2011). Estimulación Matricial. Quito.
Islas, C. (1991). Manual de estimulacion matricial de pozos petroleros. México:
Colegio de ingenieros petroleros de México.