Predictive Study to Mitigate Sand Production through Identifying the Critical Bottom Hole Flowing Pressure and Critical Flow Rate for the Productive Wells

Mustafa Adil Issa; Muntadher A. Issa; Farqad A. Hadi; Ali A. Al-Zuobaidi

doi:10.52716/jprs.v16i1.981

Authors

Mustafa Adil Issa Engineer
Muntadher A. Issa Iraqi Drilling Company, Ministry of Oil, Basra, Iraq
Farqad A. Hadi Petroleum Engineering Department, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq
Ali A. Al-Zuobaidi Iraqi Drilling Company, Ministry of Oil, Basra, Iraq

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.52716/jprs.v16i1.981

Abstract

In several productive oil and gas sites around the world, sand production remains a significant concern. It has the potential to decrease the recovery of hydrocarbons or entirely cease production, destroy the downhole and surface facilities, and other environmental problems related to sand disposal. These obstacles can lead to increased non-productive time and the annual loss of billions of dollars for petroleum companies. To evaluate the possibility of sand production, a field study in the south of Iraq was carried out. The third pay unit is a crucial sandstone reservoir belonging to the Zubair Formation that has been adopted in this investigation. To achieve the study's aims, offset well logs and relevant core sample data were used to develop a calibrated one-dimensional geomechanical model for the interested region, which serves as the input parameter to predict the onset of sanding, i.e., identify the critical bottom-hole flowing pressure . Then, the inflow performance relationship (IPR) curves were constructed employing constant productivity index (J) and empirical approaches (Vogel and Standing methods) through assuming different values of bottom-hole flowing pressure ( ) and computing the corresponding oil rate. Consequently, the critical oil flow rate ( ) as a function of the value of can be estimated; below these critical values, the sanding will commence. The results demonstrated that, at the perforated point (3356 m), the value of at the start of production was1352.74 psi. Thus, the drawdown area will become smaller or narrower as the depletion grows over time. Furthermore, any depletion or drawdown will lead to the generation of sand when the reservoir pressure is equal to 2735 psi or has depleted around 35% of its initial value. Finally, this study could serve as a reference for sand management, serving as an indicator of the possibility of sand throughout a well's productivity life, thus resulting in a positive economic advantage.

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