What is skin in Reservoir Engineering?

1. n. [Well Completions]. A dimensionless factor calculated to determine the production efficiency of a well by comparing actual conditions with theoretical or ideal conditions. A positive skin value indicates some damage or influences that are impairing well productivity. read more

Skin effect is a side effect that affected (or rather, damaged) formation rocks near the wellbore as a result of drilling activities performed on the wellbore. Reservoir engineers use Darcy's law to explain fluid flow through a porous medium. read more

The skin effect is termed positive if there is an increase in pressure drop, and negative when there is a decrease, as compared with the predicted Darcy pressure drop. A positive skin effect indicates extra flow resistance near the wellbore, and a negative skin effect indicates flow enhancement near the wellbore. read more