Chapter 6 - Sand Control Completion Strategy

Abstract

Abstract Sanding in a well/reservoir is considered a life-cycle problem that changes over time due to constraints imposed by operational factors of exploration, drilling, production, and stimulation. Predictions made prior to drilling a well cannot therefore be said to be valid during or after drilling and during production operations. Establishment of a sand management strategy is a logical follow-up to sand production rate prediction. Real-time prediction of sanding potential holds a lot of promise for the industry, especially in relation to the economically wise decision regarding sand control and type of sand control to be adopted, and will become easy for any reservoir management teams. This chapter focuses on establishing an appropriate sand management philosophy that limits or excludes sand production, which includes two major categories of sand control: passive sand control involving production rate limitation below the critical sand production rate, and active sand control including sandface downhole control, remedial sand control, and surface sand control with solids control facilities.