SAND PRODUCTION AND

MANAGEMENT IN THE NIGER

DELTA

BY

IGBANIBO, RITA OBALARI

DE. 2008/3598

 INTRODUCTION
Sandstone reservoirs happen to be the source for most of
the worlds hydrocarbons. Sandstone formations are
unconsolidated in nature and as a result, sand is produced
alongside the formation fluids (water, oil and/or gas).
This production of formation sand, from the reservoir, into
the wellbore, through the tubing and/or casing and up to
the equipment at surface, is one of the perennial problems
of the oil and gas industry in most parts of the world and
has proven to be one of the toughest problems to solve.
Schlumberger (2014) defined sand production as the
movement of formation sand, caused by the flow of
reservoir fluids. Controlling formation sand is costly and
usually involves either slowing down the production rate or
using gravel packing or sand-consolidation techniques.

In developing sand control methods, either mechanical or

chemical methods have been used. Mechanical method
deals with the design of screens, slotted liners and
placement of gravel packs (Veeken et al). Chemical
method deals with the alteration of certain chemical
properties of the sand and techniques of applying them.
Each location has its peculiar cause of sand production, it
is thus important to understand the nature of the
occurrence before selecting a suitable design or
technique.

 MECHANISMS OF SAND PRODUCTION

This is another important concept to understand

asides the causes and nature of sand production.
The mechanisms of sand production are either by
grains wearing out or small masses of sand
breaking away. According to Veeken et al., sand
production can be divided into three mechanistic
types:

Transient Sand Production

Continuous Sand Production

Catastrophic Sand Production

CONSEQUENCES OF SAND PRODUCTION

Surface Equipment
Tubular Damage
Productivity Loss
Formation damage:

Fig 1: Surface Equipment Damage

Source:

Fig2: Fines Migration during Single Phase Flow

(Source: Djebbar and Donaldson; Petrophysics)

Sanding in the Niger Delta

Sand production is currently one of the major challenges
being faced by the petroleum industry in the Niger-Delta, as
millions of dollars are lost every other year due to restricted
production rates, well cleaning and work over operations.
(Adeyanju and Oyekunle, 2011).

Several factors are responsible for the production of sand oil

and Gas wells in Niger Delta area of Nigeria. By virtue of the
considerable porosity of the Niger Delta, reservoir sands
tend to be weakly consolidated or totally unconsolidated and
are thus produced when the well flows. The unconsolidated
sands are loose and are susceptible to being produced into
the wellbore and to the surface unlike the consolidated
(compacted) sands that are carried by fluid drag force
(Abubakar, et al).

After a study conducted by Sunday and Andrew

(2010), on selected oil fields in the Niger-Delta, it
was discovered that Gas-Oil ratio (GOR) and
water-cut contributed to sand production either
individually or as a combination.
Finally, a reservoir that might have been certified
sand free may begin to produce sand after a long
time because a lot of factors changes with time.
Some of these changes could be reservoir
depletion, water production and increased
overburden stress.

 Sand Control:

The methods/techniques that are being used to control

sand in formations producing sand can be grouped as
mechanical, chemical or combination methods.
a) Mechanical Retention
b) Chemical/Plastic Consolidation
c) Combination
It is important to note that, The principal methods of
sand control that are available to oil industry in Nigeria
are internal gravel pack (IGP) and sand control using
chemicals (SCON). Of which field work and
comparative studies have recommended IGP has a
viable option for reservoirs in the Niger Delta
(Abubakar et al, 2011).

 Sand management:
Although, these option has not really been explored by the oil
industry in the Niger Delta, its application in several fields in
some parts of the world has shown significant gains in
production (acceleration) and reserves (Improved Oil
Recovery) (Andrews et al., 2005). Sand management aims at
achieving production gainsfrom replacing choked back "sand
free" production (as employed by sand control) with "maximum
acceptable sand rate" production.

Increased sand tolerance has also led to reserve increases in

some wells as unproductive intervals that were previously
sanded up have cleaned up and started to flow. This strategy
contradicts many concerns with formation damage during well
work because such damage is produced out with the sand and
the wells clean up naturally. According to Andrews et al., the
ways by which sand control can be managed include;

 Topside hardware (sand detection, separator

flushing equipment & sand disposal options).
Online mapping of erosion potential.
Erosion resistant design and materials in critical
elements.
Condition based Preventative Maintenance (PM)
and Non Destructive Testing (NDT) inspection
program.
Optimized procedures and operational controls.

Information Management and E-field operations.

These approaches have been employed in

tackling the sand production problems at Gullfaks
and Statfjord, which are two large oil fields
operated by Stat oil in the Tampen area on the
Norwegian continental shelf and the sand
management practices have been observed to;
(a) Improve safety,
(b) Optimize production and

(c) Reduce well costs and so increase IOR.

CONCLUSION
The Niger Delta has a complex geology with its hydrocarbon
bearing rocks, like most others world over, being sandstone
which is highly friable.

Research has shown that sand production could begin at

the on-set of water production. Little wonder why we have a
lot of sand being produced from reservoirs in the Niger
Delta, which are driven by active aquifers.
Sand control methods have their application widely-spread
in the oil industry. The principal methods of sand control that
are available to oil industry in Nigeria are internal gravel
pack (IGP) and sand control using chemicals (SCON). Of
which field work and comparative studies have
recommended IGP has being suitable for reservoirs in the
Niger Delta.