Prediction of Sand Product in the First Period of Production/Case Study of the Asmari Reservoir

Sand production is a global issue that arises in fields that produce from sandstone reservoirs. Integrated sand production management needs sequential steps for optimizing and controlling process. The present paper is dealt with prediction of reservoir ability to produce sand at the first period of production and determine whether or not sand production control mechanisms are necessary. The constructed model was for Iraqi X4 well that produced from the Asmari reservoir in southern Iraq. Pore pressure measurements, reports, core test results, and well logs were the data used to perform the model. The Asmari reservoir was categorized into six layers (A, B1, B2, B3, B4, and C) based on the previous evaluation process. The X4 well was actually completed by sand screens down to the bottom hole before the well was opened to production. The methodology of the present paper was divided into three parts: To begin, the 1D mechanical earth model (MEM) is built by determining the principal stresses, pore pressure, elastic rock properties, and strength rock properties. Second, the outputs of (1D MEM) were used to compute the critical drawdown pressure (CDDP). According to the computed CDDP, four depths (3055, 3082, 3107, and 3133 meters) have the ability to produce sand at varying depilation rates (0, 15, 25, and 35%). The actual perforation interval of the X4 well existed within the same sanding likelihood interval. Finally, a single depth analysis was carried out for a depth of 3046.16 m. The result of single depth analysis plot was showed that there is no need to used sand screen at first period of production and well X4 can be producing until the pore pressure depletes to 2850 psi and bottom hole pressure to 1100 psi. The most essential feature of the offered results is the economic side, as sanding prevention tools and operations are expensive, thus employing them must be done after consulting with experts.