Analysis of the channeling of water injection in low permeability reservoirs with interlayer considering the seepage–stress coupling

Purpose This paper aims to establish a mathematical model for water-flooding considering the impact of fluid–solid coupling to describe the process of development for a low-permeability reservoir. The numerical simulation method was used to analyze the process of injected water channeling into the interlayer. Design/methodology/approach Some typical cores including the sandstone and the mudstone were selected to test the permeability and the stress sensitivity, and some curves of the permeability varying with the stress for the cores were obtained to demonstrate the sensitivity of the formation. Based on the experimental results and the software Eclipse and Abaqus, the main injection parameters to reduce the amount of the injected water in flowing into the interlayer were simulated. Findings The results indicate that the permeability of the mudstone is more sensitive to the stress than sandstone. The injection rate can be as high as possible on the condition that no crack is activated or a new fracture is created in the development. For the B82 block of Daqing oilfield, the suggested pressure of the production pressure should be around 1–3MPa, this pressure must be gradually reached to get a higher efficiency of water injection and avoid damaging the casing. Originality/value This work is beneficial to ensure stable production and provide technical support to the production of low permeability reservoirs containing an interlayer.