ABSTRACT
A sensitivity analysis was carried out during a course of study to develop a model for predicting sand production from gulf coast gas wells which produce free water. A multiple linear regression analysis was used to incorporate data from producing gas wells and log derived properties of reservoir rock in a usuable model. This model fits field data of water producing gas wells. It will be a risky proposition to analyze each individual parameter related to sand production by itself when designing sand control measures. The study shows that the combined effects of these parameters are making a significant contribution in the process. The results indicate that: (1) the volume of water is not correlatable, but the presence of free-water (non condensed from gas phase) increases the sanding tendencies of most gas wells; (2) as a reservoir depletes, its tendency to produce sand increases; (3) efforts to reduce sanding should be directed toward reducing the drawdown across the completion; and (4) many of the log derived parameters that show merit in correlating dry gas wells have no value in water producing gas wells.
When the optimum decision concerning gas production rate and the need for sand control can be made at the time of initial completion, more profit can be realized from the project.