Formation damage is a critical challenge in oil and gas production, reducing well productivity by impairing the permeability of the reservoir rock near the wellbore. This damage occurs due to Mud Invasion, Fine Silt Precipitation & Scale Buildup.
This damage creates an additional pressure drop across the near-wellbore region, quantifiable through pressure transient tests (e.g., buildup or drawdown tests). The severity is expressed as a positive skin factor—a dimensionless measure where a higher value indicates greater damage and flow restriction. This pressure drop reduces production rates, necessitating interventions to restore reservoir performance.