Sand Control Techniques

Sand production from (relatively) unconsolidated reservoirs is a frequently encountered, costly operational problem which has a significant impact on the case of well operation and the economics of oil or gas production. It is usually associated with shallow, young formations, but has also been encountered at depths greater than 4000m. Other types of unstable formations also show similar production problems -i.e. they allow “pieces” of the formation to break away and enter the perforation or wellbore. Soft chalks, shales, siltstones and rubble zones can all flow particles, undergo plastic failure or slough particles due to mechanical formation failure the stresses imposed by well production.

This PetroKnowledge training course will highlight:

• The rock mechanical process that lead to sand production
• What institutes a sand production problem from a production operator’s point of view
• Indicate the operational measures taken to identify a sand problem well
• The various types of sand control. These include sand consolidation and the mechanical methods: screens/prepacks/gravel packing/frac packing
• The completion operations required for the installation of sand control
• Introduce the new approach to stand alone screen (through tubing and through casing)

At the end of this PetroKnowledge training course, participants will learn to:

• Describe the impact of an incorrect decision of whether to allow for the installation of sand control during the original completion design
• Explain the reasons for the lack of definition of “what constitutes a sand problem In the field”
• State measures taken to modify completion/surface facilities to “live with” sand production
• Construct a methodology for predicting sand failure
• Discuss the various rock mechanical measurement that may help with this prediction
• Identify and contrast the advantages/disadvantages of the various sand control options (none, sand consolidation, bare screen, internal and external gravel packs, “Frac and Pack”)
• Discuss openhole completions design and drill-in fluid selection
• Discuss the characteristics and functions of the fluid and proppant used in a gravel pack
• Design a gravel pack be selecting the optimum gravel pack size and fluid for a gravel pack operation

This PetroKnowledge training course is suitable to a wide range of professionals and will greatly benefit: 

• Production supervisors
• Production engineers
• Completion supervisors and engineers
• Reservoir engineers
• Geologists
• Drilling supervisors and engineers
• Workover and well service supervisors

Participants will engage in a highly interactive learning experience, with a blend of class room learning, exercises, group work and discussion. The instructor will apply a range of proven adult learning teaching and facilitation techniques, which will address participants’ learning preference styles. Active participation is essential, to share experiences and expertise of the tutor, as well as the participants. We can all learn from each other.

• Reducing operational risk by identifying the impact of an incorrect decision of whether or not to allow for the installation of sand control during the original completion design
• Discuss what institutes a sand production problem from a production operator’s point of view
• Describe the various types of sand control Apply best practices to ensure successful sand control completions
• Conduct successful frac packs
• Evaluate sand control performance
• Evaluate new technologies for proper applications

• Describe the impact of an incorrect decision of whether or not to allow for the installation of sand control during the original completion design
• Explain the reasons for the lack of definition of “what constitutes a sand problem in the field”
• State measures taken to modify completion/surface facilities to “live with” sand production
• Construct a methodology for predicting sand failure
• Discuss the various rock mechanical measurement that may help with this prediction
• Identify and contrast the advantages/disadvantages of the various sand control options (none, sand consolidation, bare screen, internal and external gravel packs, “Frac and Pack”)
• Discuss openhole completions design and drill-in fluid selection
• Discuss the characteristics and functions of the fluid and proppant used in a gravel pack