Fines Migration

Fines Migration (Skin)

High permeability wells are normally characterized as high productivity wells which means high flow rates and velocities, there is an opportunity to bring “fines” (or very small formation or reservoir material) into the wellbore which can act to plug or choke off portions of the gravel pack.  Plugging serves to elevate velocities in the non-plugged sections as well as increase drawdowns to maintain production which can lead to premature well failure and water production.  This type of skin accretes over time as the well is produced and these “fines” migrate to the completion.  Therefore, it is important to test at regular intervals to understand how skin is increasing and at what point some type of workover or intervention may be required to remove the damage to the completion caused by these “fines” migration.