The Development and Application of a Method for the Evaluation of Sand Screens

Ballard, Tracey; Kageson-Loe, Nils M.; Mathisen, Anne Mette

doi:10.2118/54745-ms

Cited by 54 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…Due to different physics used in each measurement, the results could be different (Ballard and Kageson-Loe, 1999;Ballard and Beare, 2003;Slayter et al, 2008;Zhang et al, 2014). For instance, a sieve will tend to emphasize the smallest dimension because of the way particles must orient themselves to pass through the mesh opening.…”

Section: Different Techniques For Particle Size Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Oil Sand Characterization for Standalone Screen Design and Large-Scale Laboratory Testing for Thermal Operations

Mahmoudi

Fattahpour

Nouri

et al. 2015

Day 3 Wed, November 25, 2015

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Oil sand characterization tests are essential for the selection and evaluation of sand control devices. Current approaches for screen selection and evaluation usually rely on Particle Size Distribution (PSD) and neglect the effect of important parameters such as porosity, grain shape and frictional properties. One aim of this study is to characterize oil sand's mechanical, geometrical and size characteristics that should be considered in the completion design. Another objective is to determine if natural mixture of oil sand could be reasonably replicated with commercial sands for large-scale sand control evaluation tests.In this paper we present the results of a comprehensive image analysis and laser sieve analysis on oil sand samples from the McMurray Formation to quantify geometrical grain characteristics (sphericity, aspect ratio, convexity and angularity) of the sand grains and establish the PSD of the samples. Direct shear tests were performed to assess the frictional characteristics of different oil sands around the liner under variable stress conditions during the SAGD well lifecycle.Image analysis, PSD, and direct shear tests showed that natural mixture of oil sand could be successfully simulated with commercial sands in terms of size and shape of grains and mechanical properties. This conclusion is significant to those performing large-scale sand control evaluation tests that usually require large quantities of sands that are not readily available and require significant preparation.This paper provides the first comprehensive investigation of the granular, and geomechanical characteristics of oil sand from the McMurray Formation. The paper discusses the missing parameters in the design of sand control device, and evaluates test methods that measure those parameters. The proposed testing program could be used as a benchmark for oil sand characterization in relation to the design and evaluation of sand control device.

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Section: Different Techniques For Particle Size Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Oil Sand Characterization for Standalone Screen Design and Large-Scale Laboratory Testing for Thermal Operations

Mahmoudi

Fattahpour

Nouri

et al. 2015

Day 3 Wed, November 25, 2015

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“…In SPE 54745, the argument is made that selecting screens purely based on PSD information is not necessarily preferable, because this criteria is derived from sieve data and applicable only to WWS (Ballard et al,1999). Testing is essential for differentiating between different screen types, ranking them, and then, selecting the most appropriate screen for a field-specific application.…”

Section: Initial Sand-control Recommendationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimized Stand-Alone Screen Design for the 'J' Field, Malaysia

et al. 2011

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Gravel pack and stand-alone screens (SASs) are the two most commonly used sand-control methods for openhole (OH) well completions in unconsolidated formations. When comparing the two methods, gravel pack is considered the more robust for sand control and is expected to have a longer service life than SAS in similar reservoir and operational conditions. However, gravel pack costs more per foot than SAS, which limits its use to poorer-quality sands in projects with acceptable economics. The industry has developed accepted criteria for selecting these sand-control methods, and this documentation provides guidelines as to when SAS should be sufficient and when gravel pack is more appropriate, depending on sand quality, which is based on particle-size distribution (PSD) of formation sand samples.Unfortunately, many small oilfields with poor quality unconsolidated formations cannot be developed economically using gravel pack. SAS is the next best alternative, and often, the only option to bring those small oilfields online. The 'J' Field in Malaysia is an example of a small oilfield with marginal economics that was developed successfully using SAS completions despite the fact that the sand quality called for gravel packing. This paper discusses the methodology used in selection and sizing of the SAS design for the 'J' Field.The methodology involves two major processes: 1) review of PSD information for initial screen micron rating selection, and 2), retention-plugging testing of wire-wrapped screen (WWS) and mesh screens for screen-type selection and screen micron rating optimization. Using this methodology, the operator and service company were able to design a completion strategy for eleven (11) wells that fulfilled the economic needs of the development project while resolving the sand-control needs.

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“…With this test apparatus, the influence of scale sensitive parameters on the performance of a single wire wrapped screen was studied. Ballard et al (1999) developed a laboratory method to evaluate the performance of various sand control screens, which was applied in a North Sea oilfield to select the most appropriate screen. Underdown et al (1999) evaluated sand control efficiency for different screens and defined performance factor and sand control factor.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental study on the performance of sand control screens for gas wells

Jin

Chen

et al. 2012

J Petrol Explor Prod Technol

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Based on the sand control mechanism, similarity criterion and factors affecting the stability of borehole plastic region, a large-scale laboratory test apparatus for simulating the performance of sand control screens for gas wells was developed. A series of sand control simulation experiments were performed. Based on the particle size analysis of formation sand and geological conditions, parameters of sand control screen, such as sand retention efficiency, were investigated. By simulating formation conditions, such as pressure gradient and gas flow rate, the performance of several types of screens, including slotted screen, wire wrapped screen and premium composite screen that are commonly used in oilfield, was evaluated. Experimental results were discussed and premium composite screen was found to be most efficient for sand control among all the tested screens. This study provides a sound experimental method for evaluating the performance of sand control screens for gas wells.

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The Development and Application of a Method for the Evaluation of Sand Screens

Cited by 54 publications

References 2 publications

Oil Sand Characterization for Standalone Screen Design and Large-Scale Laboratory Testing for Thermal Operations

Oil Sand Characterization for Standalone Screen Design and Large-Scale Laboratory Testing for Thermal Operations

Optimized Stand-Alone Screen Design for the 'J' Field, Malaysia

Experimental study on the performance of sand control screens for gas wells

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