How the Design Criteria for Slotted Liners in SAGD are Affected by Stress Buildup Around the Liner

Unconsolidated sand was packed on a slotted-liner coupon in large-scale sand retention tests (SRT) and was subjected to several stress conditions, corresponding to the evolving stress conditions during the life cycle of a SAGD producer. Cumulative produced sand at the end of testing was measured as the indicator for sand control performance. Retained permeability was calculated by measuring pressure drops near the liner and was considered as the quantification of the flow performance of the liner. Experimental results indicate the liner performance is significantly affected by the stress induced compaction of the oil sand. The stress results in the sand compaction, leading to a denser sand, hence, a lower porosity and permeability. The lower porosity results in a higher pore-scale flow velocity, which can trigger more fines mobilization, hence, a higher skin buildup. With respect to sanding, the higher stress can stabilize the sand bridges: Increased normal forces between near-slot sand particles result in a higher inter-particle friction, hence, more stable sand bridges and less produced sand. The lower and upper bounds of slot window are governed by plugging and sand production, respectively. Experimental results indicate an upward shift in both the lower and upper bounds at elevated stress conditions