Phase-field modeling of wormhole formation and growth in carbonate matrix acidizing

Acidic fluid flow in geologic formations leads to mineral dissolution and, under certain circumstances, localized forming a dendritic pattern, known as wormhole. Such patterns of conduits and caves are often observed karstic aquifer deliberately engineered oil gas well stimulation with acid injection. Two different kinds instability thought cause wormholes. One is heterogeneous property rocks. The other process itself such reaction infiltration or viscous fingering. To assess each one properly, we need separate from the other. While most numerical studies rely on randomly seeded material heterogeneities induce wormholes, Daccord Lenormand (1987a) demonstrated that even water injection into homogeneous plaster can form Here, focus driven by reaction-infiltration materials. We apply phase-field approach, which diffuses sharp interface continuous manner show it capable simulating wormhole without random seeds accounting for energy expenditure topology. verified model against counterpart one-dimensional simulations. then performed two-dimensional simulations qualitatively validate formation growth experiments carbonate rocks radial conditions. Our simulation results indicate injected rapidly consumed near entry point at low rates while live becomes available tip dissolved cavity high thus starts grow resulting much faster breakthrough.