Analysis and Recommendations of Sand Consolidation Methods to Limit Sand Production in Gas Wells

Abstract

Nowadays more and more oil and gas fields are developed in unconsolidated sandstones. Sand production is becoming more common process and complicates the work of downhole equipment and also can lead to higher production prime cost and increase the frequency of repair works. The study of features of oil and gas fields' development in unconsolidated terrigenous reservoirs showed that in rare cases, sand production can have a positive result, but only during the operation of low-permeability reservoir presented by sandstones, and in this case sand production increases the permeability of the pay zone. Sand production in slightly cemented formation is one of the most urgent problems in many regions of Russia. Wear of equipment and its failure are due to the removal of sand and mechanical impurities. Production of the existing well reserves is also greatly reduced. Huge amounts of money are spent annually to repair wells damaged as a result of sand removal, and the average downtime of one well is about 30 days.