Abstract
In this paper three case studies are presented of a Sand Production Management System (SPMS™) used to successfully predict, evaluate, resolve and manage sand production problems. These cover drilling and production problems in Lake Maracaibo, a subsea development in the North Sea and a prediction and management in the Far East. As a primary feature, the SPMS™ integrates the geomechanical characteristics of a reservoir, its deliverability and equipment performance throughout the life of the field. The system is based on a geomechanical model that determines the in-situ rock properties and field stresses then predicts the changes that will occur during reservoir depletion. Critical issues addressed include optimum well deviation and orientation, borehole size effects, critical production conditions, time to abandonment and sand control measures. In each of the cases, both drilling and production performance were improved significantly while minimising or avoiding sanding problems.
