{"id":1717,"date":"2021-07-30T15:36:17","date_gmt":"2021-07-30T15:36:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ofgeomech.com\/ofg20\/?page_id=1717"},"modified":"2021-07-30T16:22:38","modified_gmt":"2021-07-30T16:22:38","slug":"sand-production","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ofgeomech.com\/ofg20\/sand-production\/","title":{"rendered":"Sand Production"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<p><strong><em>Sand Production<\/em><\/strong> or <strong><em>\u2018Sanding\u2019<\/em><\/strong> is the failure of the producing formation, followed by the flow of failed rock into the wellbore. Very often the flow of failed rock can come to the surface and into surface facilities. Particularly for high rate gas wells, sanding is a major safety issue and the produced solids can erode both downhole and surface flow lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The formation fails due to one or more effects:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"is-style-none\"><li>\u2022 shear (e.g., high stresses, low wellbore pressure, low rock strength);<\/li><li>\u2022 tensile (e.g., high flow rate, perm damage at the cavity surface); and<\/li><li>\u2022 erosion (e.g., high seepage forces).<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4><strong>Models and Analyses for Sanding Problems<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>There are a number of alternatives for performing a <strong><em>geomechanics sanding analysis<\/em><\/strong> based upon the available data and experience. At OFG, we work with our clients and their data to determine the best, fit-for-purpose technique for a given project:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"is-style-none\"><li>\u2022 Phenomenological models (correlations, field observations);<\/li><li>\u2022 Field assessment of sand production potential and remedies;<\/li><li>\u2022 Analytical\u00a0 models (conservative);<\/li><li>\u2022 Semi-empirical (getting better, need\u00a0 calibration);<\/li><li>\u2022 Numerical analysis of thick-walled cylinder (TWC) tests; and<\/li><li>\u2022 Numerical analysis of perforation stability considering a full hydro-geomechanical coupled (uncoupled) model.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4><strong>Avoiding Sanding, Sand Control or Sand Management?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Sand production<\/em><\/strong> can often be prevented \u2013 at the loss of production and reserves. Alternatively, techniques can be employed (gravel packs, frac &amp; packs and screens) that control sand production by placing a physical barrier to sand production, but, typically, at the loss of production and reserves. Alternatively, the sand can be managed \u2013 produced and disposed when erosion potential can be controlled. <strong><em>Solids Management<\/em><\/strong> options, then, include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"is-style-none\"><li>\u2022 Gradient (pressure\/production) control to reduce sanding risk;<\/li><li>\u2022 Selective perforation and\/or oriented perforation;<\/li><li>\u2022 Gravel packs, screens, filters, slotted liner installation, and\u00a0expandable liners;<\/li><li>\u2022 Frac for sand control &#8211; Frac-&amp;-pack;<\/li><li>\u2022 Horizontal wells, with lower pressure gradients;<\/li><li>\u2022 Formation impregnation methods (i.e., resin squeeze); or<\/li><li>\u2022 <strong><em>Sand Management<\/em><\/strong> (rather than exclusion) providing:<ul><li>\u2022 Higher rates of production; and<\/li><li>\u2022 Lower completion costs <\/li><\/ul><\/li><li>Note that under <strong><em>Sand Management<\/em><\/strong>, many wells will develop an increasingly \u201cnegative skin\u201d (higher PI) often requiring a redesign the wellhead assembly. In addition <strong><em>Sand Management<\/em><\/strong> requires the establishment of sand handling at the surface and the monitor of sand influxes to minimize risk.<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"700\" height=\"496\" src=\"https:\/\/ofgeomech.com\/ofg20\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Near_Wellbore_Oilrig_1-700x496.jpg\" alt=\"Oilrig - Oilfield Geomechanics\" class=\"wp-image-682\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ofgeomech.com\/ofg20\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Near_Wellbore_Oilrig_1-700x496.jpg 700w, https:\/\/ofgeomech.com\/ofg20\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Near_Wellbore_Oilrig_1-300x213.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ofgeomech.com\/ofg20\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Near_Wellbore_Oilrig_1-768x544.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ofgeomech.com\/ofg20\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Near_Wellbore_Oilrig_1.jpg 855w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><figcaption><strong><em>Massive solids production from a well, as shown here, is an infrequent challenge. The more insidious challenge is posed by small-volume, infrequent formation solids production that can erode downhole or surface flow lines.<\/em><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"700\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/ofgeomech.com\/ofg20\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Near_Wellbore_BHP_Drawdown-700x533.png\" alt=\"Near-Wellbore - BHP-Drawdown - Oilfield Geomechanics\" class=\"wp-image-679\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ofgeomech.com\/ofg20\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Near_Wellbore_BHP_Drawdown-700x533.png 700w, https:\/\/ofgeomech.com\/ofg20\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Near_Wellbore_BHP_Drawdown-300x228.png 300w, https:\/\/ofgeomech.com\/ofg20\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Near_Wellbore_BHP_Drawdown-768x585.png 768w, https:\/\/ofgeomech.com\/ofg20\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Near_Wellbore_BHP_Drawdown.png 1422w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><figcaption><strong><em>A common sand production evaluation tool is a Safe BHP-Drawdown plot, shown here, where sanding potential (colored intervals) is shown as a function of bottomhole pressure (y-axis), reservoir pressure (x-axis) and rock strength. Other potential sanding factors include perforation orientation, fluid flow rates, and the timing\/onset of water production.<\/em><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"700\" height=\"344\" src=\"https:\/\/ofgeomech.com\/ofg20\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Picture26-700x344.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1792\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ofgeomech.com\/ofg20\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Picture26-700x344.png 700w, https:\/\/ofgeomech.com\/ofg20\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Picture26-300x148.png 300w, https:\/\/ofgeomech.com\/ofg20\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Picture26-768x378.png 768w, https:\/\/ofgeomech.com\/ofg20\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Picture26.png 866w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><figcaption><strong><em>Downhole sand exclusion techniques (frac packs, screens, slotted liners) add a pressure lose to the system &#8211; which affects well production. In some cases, allowing for solids production and handling the solids volume at the surface represents a possible alternative.<\/em><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sand Production or \u2018Sanding\u2019 is the failure of the producing formation, followed by the flow of failed rock into the wellbore. Very often the flow of failed rock can come to the surface and into surface facilities. Particularly for high rate gas wells, sanding is a major safety issue and the produced solids can erode &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/ofgeomech.com\/ofg20\/sand-production\/\" title=\"Sand Production\" class=\"read-more\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"templates\/template-page-with-sidebar.php","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","spay_email":""},"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/Pdi5Yu-rH","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ofgeomech.com\/ofg20\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1717"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ofgeomech.com\/ofg20\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ofgeomech.com\/ofg20\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ofgeomech.com\/ofg20\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ofgeomech.com\/ofg20\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1717"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ofgeomech.com\/ofg20\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1717\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ofgeomech.com\/ofg20\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1717"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}