Unstable Formation and Sand Control

Outcomes
Towards the end of lecture, you should be able to:
1. 2. . !.

Explain causes of sand production Describe consequences of sand production Describe methods to predict sand production Describe sand control techniques

Definition
Sand control is..

the limitation of sand production to an acceptable le"el

Wells completed with sand control are designed to: retain load bearing solids but produce fines

Factors Increasing Sand Production

Decline of reser"oir presssure #increase of o"erburden pressure$ %ementin& 'aterial, De&ree of %onsolidation (luid )iscosity, *roduction )elocity, Dra& (orces +ncreasin& water production #destroys inter&ranular cementin& material$ (ormation dama&e

Whats Influences Sanding?

10k PSI Rock stresses can cause sand failure
he !ore !ressure su!!orts 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
decreasin& reser"oir pressure increases the effecti"e stress on the

&rains #o"erburden is constant$

(luid (low
fluid "elocity and "iscosity contributes to the pressure drop near the

wellbore #dra& force$

production induces stress on the formation sand induced stress , formation stress sand production

Causes of Sand Production (II)

.eolo&ical (actors
tertiary a&e reser"oirs, usually shallow depths unconsolidated

+mpairment on /atural %onsolidation

hi&h compressi"e stren&th internal pore pressure supports the o"erburden

Causes of Sand Production (III)

'utiphase (low
1ater production may dissol"e natural cementin& materials

wea2enin& the inter&ranular bonds3

1ater production may mobili4e fines resultin& in plu&&in&

of the pore structure.

Consequences of Sand Production

1. 6ccumulation downhole 2. 6ccumulation in surface equipment . Erosion of downhole7surface equipment !. %ollapse of the formation

Sanding Prediction - Why

Sand "ontrol Sand "ontrol Sand "ontrol#

Zero strength ry sand

Very very weak amp sand high

Very weak Weakly!cemented lower

Weak Stronger cement

Prediction of sand failure

1hen a well is drilled in un8consolidated #loose8&rained$ sand, sand is produced to&ether with well fluid. 9and production can
I.

erode

++. Equipment +++. 1ellbore IV. plug flowlines

Prediction of sand failure

6t low rates, little or no sand may be produced. 6t hi&h rates, lar&e quantities may be produced. +n flowin& wells, sand can erode cho2es and can be accumulated in separators. +n pumpin& wells, sand can erode down8hole pumpin& equipment 1ithout sand control, oil production of wells will lead to uneconomical. Therefore, 9and exclusion methods are required.

Prediction of sand failure

9and production is a two sta&e process

18 (ailure of the roc2 28 Transport of the failed materials into the well bore

9and production will only be obser"ed once both these processes ha"e occurred.

Prediction of sand failure

:ow to predict sand failure; 1.(ormation stren&th test 2.9onic lo& .*orosity !.Drawdown <.'ultiphase flow

Prediction of sand failure

Experience 6nalo&y 9pecial 1ell Test %ore +nspection and Testin& 'easurements =o& +nterpretation %orrelations

Sand Control Techniques

1. 2. . !. <.

'aintenance and wor2o"er >ate restriction 9electi"e completion practices *re"ent sand production mechanically by screen or &ra"el pac2. %hemically consolidate the formation sand near the wellbore usin& resinous material.

-.

+n?ect resin8coated &ra"el into the perforations to pac2 and stabili4e the perforations.

@uestion ;;

Than2 Aou