Particle Consolidation as a Means of Sand Control: Gulf of Mexico Applications

Oubre, Brennan Paul; Hasemann, Andrew Garrett

doi:10.2118/127829-ms

All Days 2010

DOI: 10.2118/127829-ms

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Particle Consolidation as a Means of Sand Control: Gulf of Mexico Applications

Brennan Paul Oubre

Andrew Garrett Hasemann

Abstract: Particle movement is a problematic occurrence for wells producing in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). The particles could be formation sands or proppant. The most widely used and most effective method of sand control in the GOM is the mechanical method. The mechanical method used in most wells includes the use of screens with a proppant pack. An alternative to the mechanical method is the chemical-consolidation method. With this method, the particles are bonded together to prevent movement. This paper describes chemi… Show more

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Cited by 5 publications

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Sand Consolidation Case History and Lessons Learned from Peninsular Malaysia

Othman¹,

Zaki

Naharindra

et al. 2017

Day 2 Wed, March 22, 2017

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Field A, an oil field located in Peninsular Malaysia, was completed in 2007 with an initial production of 6,000 BOPD and managed to reach a peak production of 15,000 BOPD the same year, with a water cut of 15%. Toward the end of 2014, a decrease in production was observed with an increase in water cut to 85%. Coupled with high water cut, some of the wells experienced sand production issues. Most of the wells were completed with either standalone screens or without any sand control methods. After a few years in production, the sand-producing wells were shut-in to help prevent damage to surface facilities. Two idle oil wells, Wells 1 and 2, were identified and efforts were made to reactivate them. High costs can be associated with remedial mechanical sand control to work over a well, so a chemical consolidation treatment using solvent-based resin was identified as a less expensive solution for remedial sand control for these wells. Chemical sand consolidation using solvent-based epoxy resin was tested in a laboratory using produced sand samples from the selected wells and showed good results. The chemical consolidation treatments for Wells 1 and 2 were designed based on these results. Before treatment was performed for either well, Well 2 was replaced with Well 3 because of a gas supply shortage, which affected total field production. In October and November 2015, Wells 1 and 3 were intervened and chemical sand consolidation was executed on both wells. After the treatment, Wells 1 and 3 were brought back on production. Sand production for Well 1 was below the threshold limit of 15 pounds per thousand barrels (pptb). However, the performance of Well 3 did not meet expectations. This paper describes the process of treatment design and execution for the chemical sand consolidation of Wells 1 and 3 and explains the workflow used during the design stage. Coiled tubing isolation technique and bullhead treatment technique are discussed together with lessons learned from Wells 1 and 3 in terms of designing chemical sand consolidation treatments for future applications.

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Sand Consolidation Case History and Lessons Learned from Peninsular Malaysia

Othman¹,

Zaki

Naharindra

et al. 2017

Day 2 Wed, March 22, 2017

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Chemical Sand Consolidation Design in Jasmine Field: Lessons Learned and Critical Success Factors from an Operator Point of View

Dachanuwattana

Prasongtham

Kulchanyavivat

et al. 2020

Day 3 Wed, November 11, 2020

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The Jasmine oil field, in the Gulf of Thailand, has several pools of unconsolidated sandstone reservoirs. Multi-zone completion is usually deployed in these reservoirs, however, sand control in this completion type could be a challenge. Several sand control techniques were evaluated and the most promising strategy was found to be chemical sand consolidation treatment. In the design phase, the most critical challenge was to determine the optimal and safe chemical recipe and placement technique. A single chemical recipe optimized for all of the reservoirs was achieved, yielding an unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of at least 500 psi while retaining a permeability of 40%. Bullheading was selected as the placement technique. To minimize contamination of the chemical with annulus fluid, we designed to shorten the distance between the packers of each completion zone. Cut-to-release packers were used instead of pull-to-release packers to mitigate the concern of unwittingly unsettling the packers. A risk assessment was conducted to cover all aspects of the job. High risk activity like pumping flammable fluids at high pressure was specifically singled out and special mitigation was put in place to ensure a safe execution of the activity. Some other mitigations such as minimizing nearby hot surface areas, real-time monitoring of oxygen levels, and purging the mixing system with CO2 were also considered. This paper provides a case study for chemical sand consolidation treatment from the view of an oil company and covers the full lifecycle of the application from concept selection to the finalized procedure, taking into account both technical and operational considerations. This research contributes to the public body of knowledge within the oil and gas industry with regards to an emerging technique for sand consolidation.

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Malaysia's First Successful Implementation of Sand Consolidation Technology as a Primary Sand Control Method Executed during the Drilling Phase: Success Story and Lessons Learned

Kamaruddin

Karim

Hasmin

et al. 2021

Day 2 Wed, October 13, 2021

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Field A is a mature hydrocarbon-producing field located in eastern Malaysia that began producing in 1968. Comprised of multistacked reservoirs at heights ranging from 4,000 to 8,000 ft, they are predominantly unconsolidated, requiring sand exclusion from the start. Most wells in this field were completed using internal gravel packing (IGP) of the main reservoir, and particularly in shallower reservoirs. With these shallower reservoirs continuously targeted as good potential candidates, identifying a sustainable sand control solution is essential. Conventional sand control methods, namely IGP, are normally a primary choice for completion; however, this method can be costly, which requires justification during challenging economic times. To combat these challenges, a sand consolidation system using resin was selected as a primary completion method, opposed to a conventional IGP system. Chemical sand consolidation treatments provide in situ sand influx control by treating the incompetent formation around the wellbore itself. The initial plan was to perform sand consolidation followed by a screenless fracturing treatment; however, upon drilling the targeted zone and observing its proximity to a water zone, fracturing was stopped. With three of eight zones in this well requiring sand control, a pinpoint solution was delivered in stages by means of a pump through with a packer system [retrievable test treat squeeze (RTTS)] at the highest possible accuracy, thus ensuring treatment placement efficiency. The zones were also distanced from one another, requiring zonal isolation (i.e., mechanical isolation, such as bridge plugs, was not an option) as treatments were deployed. While there was a major challenge in terms of mobilization planning to complete this well during the peak of a movement control order (MCO) in Malaysia, optimal operations lead to a long-term sand control solution. Well unloading and test results upon well completion provided excellent results, highlighting good production rates with zero sand production. The groundwork processes of candidate identification down to the execution of sand consolidation and temporary isolation between zones are discussed. Technology is compared in terms of resin fluid system types. Laboratory testing on the core samples illustrates how the chemical consolidation process physically manifests. This is used to substantiate the field designs, execution plan, initial results, follow-up, lessons learned, and best practices used to maximize the life of a sand-free producer well. This success story illustrates potential opportunity in using sand consolidation as a primary method in the future.

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Particle Consolidation as a Means of Sand Control: Gulf of Mexico Applications

Cited by 5 publications

References 7 publications

Sand Consolidation Case History and Lessons Learned from Peninsular Malaysia

Sand Consolidation Case History and Lessons Learned from Peninsular Malaysia

Chemical Sand Consolidation Design in Jasmine Field: Lessons Learned and Critical Success Factors from an Operator Point of View

Malaysia's First Successful Implementation of Sand Consolidation Technology as a Primary Sand Control Method Executed during the Drilling Phase: Success Story and Lessons Learned

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