Numerical Simulations of Screen Performance in Standalone Screen Applications for Sand Control

Mondal, Somnath; Sharma, Mukul M.; Chanpura, Rajesh A.; Parlar, Mehmet; Ayoub, Joseph A.

doi:10.2118/134326-ms

Cited by 15 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 30 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The aim of conducting numerical simulations for screen size selection is to avoid repeating laboratory tests in areas where extensive sand retention test data are available. Currently, numerical modeling does not accurately account for interactions between fluids and the particles (Agunloye and Utunedi 2014;Wu et al 2016;Feng et al 2012;Mondal et al 2010;Markested et al 1996;Constien and Skidmore 2006).…”

Section: Numerical Modelingmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of experimental studies on sand screen selection for unconsolidated sandstone reservoirs

Ahad

Jami

Tyson

2020

J Petrol Explor Prod Technol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Sand production is a problem that affects hydrocarbon production from unconsolidated sandstone reservoirs. Several factors, such as the strength of the reservoir, its lithification and cementation and reduction in pore pressure, may cause sand to be separated from the rock and transported by hydrocarbons to the well. Producing sand commonly causes erosion and corrosion of downhole and surface equipment, leading to production interruptions and sometimes forces operators to shut-in wells. Several different methods of sand control are available to reduce the impact of sand production. The reviewed papers suggest that the most suitable methods for unconsolidated sandstone reservoirs are stand-alone screens and gravel packs. Because of the cost and complexity of gravel packs, stand-alone screens are usually the first choice. These screens have different geometries, and selection of the most suitable screen depends on the particle size distribution of the grains in the formation and other reservoir and production parameters. A screen retention test, run in a laboratory with screen samples and typical sands, is often used to ensure that the screen is suitable for the reservoir. This paper reviews the main causes of sand production, the properties of unconsolidated sandstones that predispose reservoirs to sand production problems and the selection criteria for the most suitable mitigation method. The process of selecting a screen using experimental screen retention tests is reviewed, and the limitations of these tests are also discussed. Some numerical simulations of experimental tests are also reviewed, since this represents a very cost-effective alternative to laboratory experiments.

show abstract

Section: Numerical Modelingmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of experimental studies on sand screen selection for unconsolidated sandstone reservoirs

Ahad

Jami

Tyson

2020

J Petrol Explor Prod Technol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Key to selection of the most appropriate sand-control method is the ability to minimize sand production while limiting the impact on well productivity. Premium Screen, a special Multi Mesh Screen type has been selected over other premium screens and Wire Wrapped Screens for this Well X-09 application -refer to Fig.1 6 .…”

Section: Screen Sizingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Unfortunately, these experiments have their own limitations. They provide substantially different results based on how the tests were conducted and interpreted, leading to significant differences in the recommended screen type and screen opening size for any given sand sample 6 , this is why the laboratory tests are usually substantiated with historical performance of the screens. For this well case where no laboratory testing was performed due to the non-availability of cores, the rule of thumb for SAS shall be used to select the first numerical sizing point.…”

Section: Screen Sizingmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Strategic Cost Saving Initiative for Dual-Zone Completions in Marginal Fields

Ogbunuju¹,

Ekeigwe²,

Pepple³

et al. 2014

All Days

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Dual zone gravel pack completions, mostly the preferred sand control mechanism of choice in unconsolidated stacked reservoirs, can be quite expensive in marginal field environment, particularly in the Niger Delta region due to high logistics and security costs associated with rig costs. This cost escalation (Rig spread, logistics, security and associated costs) progresses from land to swamp and ultimately offshore locations. Conventional techniques for such completions involve multiple trips in and out of the hole with gravel pack and isolation tools, with pumping stages and a wireline trip to set the sump packer. This process typically takes between 12-14 days and has often resulted in border line economics, when this technique is applied in a marginal field.In this paper, we present a different sand control technique for carrying out a cost-effective completion for a two zone well in a marginal field, situated in the Niger Delta. This technique involves the use of Multi Mesh Screen (MMS) and can eliminate the use of gravel pack pumping treatments for several applications. It has specific design criteria for enhancing sand control and has found great application as standalone screen in cased hole.The proposed system involves the combination of a special MMS with engineered electric-line deployed perforating technique. The entire deployment of a two zone completion required only about four days of rig time. Post completion, the deeper interval has been producing at an average oil rate of 220 bopd and associated gas production of 0.35 MMscf/d while the shallow interval has average production of ca. 500 bopd with associated gas production of 0.35 MMscf/d. Both intervals have performed at an order of magnitude higher than the predicted sand-free production rate without any or other conventional sand control methods. Overall, the use of this adaptive completion technique resulted in some 50% cost savings to the operator compared to the conventional gravel packing of both zones. This has greatly enhanced the economics of the well. The details of the installation design, field procedures along with an analysis of the production data and an economic comparison to the alternatives are presented herein.

show abstract

“…The ratio of screen opening/d 10 being below 1.0 was acceptable for the criterion of less than 0.6 kg·m À2 of total sand production over the screen inflow area. Because the experiments with their limitations gave substantially different results, depending on test conduction and interpretation, the attempt is done (Mondal et al 2010) to use numerical simulations. The simulation of screen behavior in contact with granular sand pack was done on the basis of size distribution and the mass of the produced solids through the test.…”

Section: Sand Retention Testsmentioning

confidence: 99%