Journal of the Korean Society of Mineral and Energy Resources Engineers ISSN:2288-0291(Print) 2288-2790(Online) 한국자원공학회지

A new experimental method is designed to distinguish the effect of plugging of fine particles during foam flow in a porous medium from that of fines-stabilized foam, using glass beads and fines with a large size contrast. Coreflood experiments shows that flowing foam can transport significant amount of fine particles far enough within a porous medium to cause large reduction in permeability. The amount of fines transported depends on particle properties such as wettability and surface adhesion. Total relative mobility of foam during fines migration has been decreased in these experiments by PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate) and montmorillonite, but not by kaolinite particles. Mobility reduction in the presence of PMMA particles is thought to result from foam stabilized by particles, whereas mobility reduction in the presence of montomorillonite seems to result from surface adhesive property of montmorillonite. Limitations and complications of this experimental study are also discussed.