--> Integrated Approach For Sanding Evaluation And Sand Management, Recent Case Studies With Years Of Production

AAPG Asia Pacific Region GTW, Pore Pressure & Geomechanics: From Exploration to Abandonment

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Integrated Approach For Sanding Evaluation And Sand Management, Recent Case Studies With Years Of Production

Abstract

Mitigation of sand production in production wells is an important and often a challenging issue. Sanding needs be managed to ensure safe operation, maximum productivity and hydrocarbon recovery. Effective sand management and the choice to delay, exclude or co-produce the sand to surface, requires an understanding of the mechanisms that cause sanding and the development of a field-specific model to predict the critical conditions for sand production. Sanding evaluation has become a key tool in the development of effective sand management strategies for the reservoir and well life cycle. The optimum sand control and completion decision is then decided on the basis of field development plan, production forecasts, reservoir rock characteristics, facilities consideration well type and completion design, legislation and environment considerations. This presentation highlights various aspects of integrated sand management approach with a focus on geomechanical sanding risk evaluation for sand control and completion decisions. The presentation will include two recent case studies from different geological settings and well operation conditions with several years production history. In case 1, no downhole sand control installation was recommended for the field life based on geomechanical risk evaluation in 2006, whereas in case 2 sand production prediction conducted in 2007 indicated moderate to high risk of sanding with high depletion forecasts due to the presence of weak to intermediate strong rocks and recommended a combination of “passive” e.g. recompletion with selective and oriented perforation and “active” e.g. screens or gravel pack system sand control for existing and new wells. Production data to date confirms the accuracy of sanding evaluations in both cases. In case 1, no sand production has been observed after several years of production under high depletion and drawdown pressures and high water cuts. In case 2, model predictions match the production history and “No Sand” condition in existing wells until 2011. Sand production was first observed in 2011 consistent with the prediction in 2007. To date the produced solids are managed/handled on the surface and the gas production is continued with a controlled drawdown to minimise sand production and some wells had to be shut in due water production and excessive with sanding. New infill producers are planned to have dowenhole sand control.