Prediction of Sand Production Through Porous Media: Mechanisms and Challenges to Optimising the Inefficiencies

Abstract

One of the challenges facing drilling companies in the completion and production of oil and gas wells is sand production from the formation. The ability to predict sand production in the wells of a reservoir, to decide to use different methods of control is considered a fundamental issue. Therefore, analysis and study of sand production conditions and selecting the optimal drilling route before drilling wells are significant issues that are less considered. According to the findings of this study, due to the sand grains adhesion issue, saturation increase has caused to increase in the intermolecular uptake, and therefore moisture has been decreased. It leads to reduction in the sand production rate. Pressure increase has a direct relationship with the sand production rate due to increased induced drag forces. Moreover, phenol–formaldehyde resins provided an acceptable measurement as there are no significant changes in porosity and permeability.