Guidelines to sand control. Pt. 3

Abstract

Well preparation is much more critical for consolidation processes than for most screen or pack applications. Of particular importance are (1) adequate cementing; (2) selectively perforating short intervals with clean perforating fluids; (3) cleaning perforations and face of formation; (4) proper isolation of zones; and (5) packing before consolidation. The desirable chara cteristics for a consolidation process include (1) minimum preparation time at well site; (2) low injection pressure; (3) short cure time before restoring well to production; (4) high compressive strength of resulting matrix; (5) high retained permeability; and (6) good resistance to deterioration from well fluids and commonly used treating fluids. For a given resin, some compromises are necessary. Methods are now available to control sand in nearly any well. A technique which has been growing in acceptance recently is the placement of sand and resin in a single operation. This service is available with several resins and is usually placed as a pressure pack. A wide variety of consolidation processes is available from a number of service companies. Each process has some advantages and each is probably adequate, if it is suited to the well conditions and good practice has been followed in preparing the well. (21 refs.)