S.

Raja Rajeshwary

Outcomes
Towards the end of lecture, you should be able to: 1. Explain causes of sand production 2. Describe consequences of sand production 3. Describe methods to predict sand production 4. Describe sand control techniques

Definition
Sand control is.. the limitation of sand production to an acceptable level
Wells completed with sand control* are designed to: retain load bearing solids but produce fines

*The term exclusion can be misleading

Experience with Sand

~70% of the Malaysian fields have sanding problems
In Malaysia, we have : sand production from both oil and gas fields no issues with the water injectors access to most equipment homogeneous and heterogeneous sands run various types sand control: IGP, ESS, SAS, SCON no experience of horizontal GPs

Areas Requiring Sand Management

Sand control usually required in areas with newer sediments:

Malaysia Brunei Australia China UKCS Nigeria West Africa Gulf of Mexico Venezuela

Process Of Sand Management

Prediction
Sanding anticipated Sanding possible Sanding not anticipated

Control
Exclusion (maybe control) Control (maybe exclusion) Maybe control (exclusion unlikely)

Selection:
- Longevity - Productivity - Functionality - Cost

Completion, Fit For Purpose

Factors Increasing Sand Formation

Decline of reservoir presssure (increase of overburden pressure) Cementing Material, Degree of Consolidation Fluid Viscosity, Production Velocity, Drag Forces

Increasing water production (destroys intergranular cementing material)

Formation damage (increases drawdown)

Whats Influences Sanding?

10k PSI Rock stresses can cause sand failure
The pore

pressure
supports the sand

Oil or Gas Rock Strength Water can weaken sand

High velocity of viscous fluid can move sand

Causes of Sand Production (I)

Time Dependence

decreasing reservoir pressure increases the effective stress on the grains (overburden is constant)

Fluid Flow

fluid velocity and viscosity contributes to the pressure drop near the wellbore (drag force) production induces stress on the formation sand induced stress > formation stress sand production

Causes of Sand Production (II)

Geological Factors

tertiary age reservoirs, usually shallow depths unconsolidated

Impairment on Natural Consolidation

high compressive strength internal pore pressure supports the overburden

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Causes of Sand Production (III)

Mutiphase Flow
Water production may dissolve natural cementing

materials weakening the intergranular bonds; Water production may mobilize fines resulting in plugging of the pore structure.

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Consequences of Sand Production

Accumulation downhole 2. Accumulation in surface equipment 3. Erosion of downhole/surface equipment 4. Collapse of the formation
1.

Sanding Prediction - Why

Sand Control Sand Control Sand Control?

Zero strength Dry sand

Very very weak Damp sand

Very weak Weakly-cemented high F

Weak Stronger cement lower F

Prediction of sand failure

When a well is drilled in un-consolidated (loose-grained) sand, sand is produced together with well fluid. Sand production can
I.

erode Equipment Wellbore

II. plug flowlines

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Prediction of sand failure

At low rates, little or no sand may be produced.

At high rates, large quantities may be produced.

In flowing wells, sand can erode chokes and can be accumulated in separators. In pumping wells, sand can erode down-hole pumping equipment Without sand control, oil production of wells will lead to uneconomical. Therefore, Sand exclusion methods are required.
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Prediction of sand failure

Sand production is a two stage process

1- Failure of the rock

2- Transport of the failed materials into the well bore

Sand production will only be observed once both

these processes have occurred.
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Prediction of sand failure

How to predict sand failure?
1. Formation strength test 2. Sonic log 3. Porosity 4.Drawdown 5. Multiphase flow

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Prediction of sand failure

Experience Analogy Special Well Test Core Inspection and Testing

Measurements Log Interpretation Correlations

Sand Control Techniques

1.

Maintenance and workover

2.
3. 4.

Rate restriction
Selective completion practices Prevent sand production mechanically by screen or gravel pack. Chemically consolidate the formation sand near the wellbore using resinous material. Inject resin-coated gravel into the perforations to pack and stabilize the perforations.
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5.

6.