Mechanism and numerical simulation of pressure stagnation during water jetting perforation

Abstract

When perforating with an abrasive water jet, it is possible that the pressure in the hole (perforation) will be higher than that in the annulus because of water jet blasting against the hole wall, which also is the theoretical basis for the technology of hydro-jet fracturing. This paper analyzes the mechanism of generating pressure stagnation in water jet hole, and puts forward a new concept of hydroseal. Then, the distribution of pressure in the hole was simulated with the finite element method. The simulation results showed that the pressure in the hole was higher than that in the annulus. Also, the lower the annular pressure (confining pressure) and the higher the blasting pressure, the greater the pressure difference. An experiment indicated that the cement sample was lifted up under the pressure stagnation in the hole, which proved the finite element simulation results obviously. © China University of Petroleum 2008.