Acidizing with gelling acid is the key technology in developing a carbonate reservoir successfully. It is difficult for the laboratory to carry out the radial displacement experiment with a large rock core. It is necessary to establish the gelling acid wormhole expansion model under the radial conditions, simulate the gelling acid wormhole expansion law under the radial conditions, optimize the construction parameters, and provide the basis for the optimal design of carbonate reservoir matrix acidizing. The research objective is to simulate the gelling acid etching wormhole expansion in a deep carbonate reservoir and make clear its influencing factors, which are helpful for reservoir stimulation. The mathematical model of gelling acid wormhole expansion was established, considering the influence of pore microscopic characteristics on acid flow and acid rock reaction. The simulation results indicated that viscosity, surface reaction rate, and hydrogen ion diffusion coefficient have different effects on gelling acid etching wormhole. The spatial distribution of pores determines the trend of gelling acid solution and thus the shape of the armhole. Perforation completion has a significant impact on the expansion of gelling acid etching wormhole. The wormhole extends forward along the perforation hole, and perforation increases the length of the wormhole. This wormhole expansion law is very suitable in situations where a deep carbonate reservoir is needed for gelling acid fracturing.
Keywords: carbonate rocks; gelled acidizing; reservoir stimulation; simulation; wormhole propagation.