Republic of the Philippines

BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY

The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: ceafa@g.batstate-u.edu.ph | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
THE NATIONAL ENGINEERING UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
PETROLEUM ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT FOR THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE COURSE

PETE 418 - PRODUCTION ENGINEERING 2

ACTIVITY NO. 2
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS ON SAND PRODUCTION PROBLEM ON OIL AND GAS
WELL

SUBMITTED BY:
MABILING, JOANN L.
20-06173
PETE 4105

ENGR. MELANNIE ADANTE

INSTRUCTOR

OCTOBER 29, 2023

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: ceafa@g.batstate-u.edu.ph | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

Sand Production
According to Nasr & Edbieb (2012), sand production refers to the transportation
of load-bearing sand grains from a reservoir into a production well alongside the
produced reservoir fluids. There is frequently a difference made between the
load-bearing sand grains that comprise sand production and the smaller micro-particles
known as "fines" or fine sand particles. These small sand particles are unavoidable in
the production fluid and are generally thought not to contribute to the mechanical
strength of the reservoir rock.
Sand generation happens when the tension on the formation exceeds the
strength of the formation, resulting in rock failure. Rock collapse occurs as a result of
tectonic activity, overburden pressure, pore pressure, stress created during drilling, and
the production of fluid drag force as shown in the figure below. Fluid flow and rock
strength effects are two groups of factors that affect the formation tendency to produce
sand. Sand particle production can include both load bearing solids and formation fines.
The generation of formation fines that are not included in the mechanical framework of
the formation is advantageous because they can transport readily inside the formation
rather than plugging it.

Figure 1. Sand Failure Due to Weak Rock Strength

Causes of Sand Production

In accordance with Carlson (1992), materials produced by the well contain fines
and load bearing sand particles. Fine production is helpful and should not be stopped
since it improves near wellbore permeability, but load bearing sand production is the

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: ceafa@g.batstate-u.edu.ph | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

true concern. The following elements influence the creation of load bearing solids, such
as sand.
● Degree of Cementation and Consolidation
The strength with which sand grains are bound together is connected to
the reservoir rock's ability to support stable perforation tunnels. The bonding of
the sand grains is known as cementation, and it normally increases with
sediment age. Consolidation is defined as the tight packing of the soil particle
matrix, which normally increases with sedimentary rock age. As a result, older
reservoir formations are stronger and less prone to sand production.
● Production Rate
Producing fluid from a reservoir causes a pressure differential between the
well and the formation, which, when paired with fluid drag forces, can cause
reservoir rock collapse and sand production. This demonstrates that there is a
critical flow rate at which the reservoir begins to create sand due to pressure and
drag forces producing a force greater than the formation's compressive strength.
● Reduction of Pore Pressure
The pore fluid in a reservoir formation helps to support some of the
overburden stress imposed by the soil layers above the reservoir. As the pore
pressure decreases owing to hydrocarbon production from the reservoir, the
formation rock bears more of the overburden stress. This increased stress can
cause crushing and deformation of the formation rock, resulting in instability and
sand generation
● Reservoir Fluid Viscosity
At the same production rate, high viscosity reservoir fluids will impose
more frictional drag forces on the formation rock than a less viscous fluid.
● Increasing Water Production
The commencement of sand production has frequently been correlated
with an increase in water output in an oil well. This has been shown to have two
possible explanations: the first is due to a weakening of sand grain cohesion,
resulting in unstable sand arches around the perforation cavity, and the second is
due to a decrease in fluid relative permeability, requiring higher differential
pressure to achieve the same production rate.

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: ceafa@g.batstate-u.edu.ph | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

Sand Production Mitigation

Drilling engineers frequently face sand production challenges, particularly in
unconsolidated or weakly consolidated formations. It can severely damage the wellbore,
casing, tubing, and surface equipment, as well as diminish the well's productivity and
efficiency. As a result, efficient sand management procedures must be implemented to
avoid or reduce sand generation in your well.
The primary goals of sand control are to stabilize the formation, keep the sand in
place, and keep fluids flowing without severe pressure drop or erosion. To attain these
goals, various elements must be considered, including sand size distribution, formation
strength, stress regime, fluid characteristics, flow rate, and well shape. Depending on
these characteristics, you can select between mechanical, chemical, or hydraulic sand
management strategies.

● Mechanical Methods
Mechanical approaches entail the use of physical barriers or devices to
prevent or limit sand particle passage into the wellbore.
➔ Gravel packing is a popular and successful sand management
technology, particularly for high-rate and long-term wells. This entails
inserting a layer of gravel or sand between the formation and the
perforated casing or screen, which acts as a filter to keep formation sand
out of the wellbore.
➔ Screens are also utilized, which contain apertures or slots that are smaller
than the size of the formation sand, preventing it from entering. These
screens can be wire-wrapped, pre-packed, slotted liner, or extendable.
➔ Another method is frac and pack, which combines hydraulic fracturing
and gravel packing; this is frequently employed for low-permeability or
tight formations. All of these mechanical systems can provide excellent
sand management, but their costs and complexity vary.

● Chemical Methods
Chemical approaches entail the use of chemical agents or additives to
change the properties of the formation or fluids in order to reduce or eliminate
sand production.

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: ceafa@g.batstate-u.edu.ph | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

➔ Consolidation is a typical process that involves injecting a glue or polymer

into the formation to bind the sand grains together and form a solid matrix.
This boosts the formation's strength and stability while also preventing
sand from pouring into the wellbore.
➔ Another way is to introduce a chemical inhibitor into the formation, which
reduces the inclination of the sand grains to shift or migrate under stress
or flow conditions. Inhibition can work by covering sand grains, changing
their surface charge, or forming a gel-like structure. Both consolidation
and inhibition are usually applied when mechanical methods may not be
feasible or reliable.

● Hydraulic Methods
➔ Hydraulic methods control or inhibit sand generation by using fluid
flow or pressure. For example, rate control is controlling the well's
flow rate or drawdown to avoid exceeding the critical rate or
pressure that can trigger sand production - which is determined by
formation features such as sand size, porosity, permeability, and
stress state. When alternative procedures are unavailable or
ineffective, this method is frequently used as a preventive or
corrective remedy.
➔ Water injection can also be employed to maintain or enhance
reservoir pressure and minimize effective stress on the formation,
hence reducing or delaying sand generation. This approach is
typically used as a secondary or tertiary recovery method to
increase oil recovery and well life. Depending on your reservoir and
well conditions, these are some of the best techniques to prevent
sand generation in your well. You may increase the performance
and safety of your well while also maximizing production and
recovery by using the appropriate sand management technologies.

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: ceafa@g.batstate-u.edu.ph | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

The issue of sand production in oil and gas wells remains difficult, but
technological improvements and new solutions have enabled a variety of tools to
manage and minimize this problem. The industry continues to make progress in tackling
sand production difficulties through a combination of excellent reservoir evaluation, well
design, sand control techniques, chemical treatments, real-time monitoring, and
ongoing research and development. Implementing these solutions and incorporating
new technology into operating processes is critical for maintaining long-term productivity
and integrity of oil and gas wells, paving the path for a more sustainable and efficient
hydrocarbon extraction industry.

REFERENCES:
Chalmers, S. & Paterson, E. (n.d). What is sand production?. Modeling Sand
Production. https://sandproductionthesis.weebly.com/problem-statement.html

Nwabueze, O., et al., (2012). "Sanding in Oil Well Reservoir Completions." Paper
presented at the Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition, Lagos,
Nigeria, doi: https://doi.org/10.2118/163010-MS

What are the best ways to prevent sand production in your well?(2023). Drilling
Engineering.https://www.linkedin.com/advice/0/what-best-ways-prevent-sand-production
-your

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