Agenda

The occurrence of sanding or solids production in wells depends on the field geomechanical parameters, reservoir rock characters, well operations and reservoir management/performance. Effective sand management is a combination of competent sanding prediction (timing, zone and severity), limiting solids production to an acceptable level (not entire exclusion) and involves handling produced solids at the surface and well monitoring. This session will focus on the challenges of defining geomechanical parameters and rock characterisation in complex geological settings such as deep water environments, highly laminated formations, high fine content formations and high tectonic stress regimes. In addition, the role of sanding evaluation for remedial sand control decisions in mature fields with depleted formations and water production will be discussed as well as the use of advanced geomechanical sanding evaluations to derive simple empirical cut-offs for sand control decisions in early field life in the absence of field sanding history will also be of particular interest with field-proven examples from the region and elsewhere. 

Sand control has been a long-standing problem with a wide array of solutions offered in the industry today. This session will focus on primary sand control methodologies, lessons learnt and best practices from the evaluation of both successes and failures during completion installation and production performance. This would mainly include downhole sand control applications in open hole and cased hole architecture such as standalone screen completions, gravel packs, high rate water packs and frac-pack. The continuous improvement of sand control operations is rooted in an understanding of both installation and performance, which can only be gained through detailed data analysis and evaluation. This session will also look at the evolving landscape today which is leading to more complex completion architecture and geological settings for wells requiring sand control. This complex environment and setting are challenging the conventional approach and pushing the limits and boundaries of a typical sand control completion.

Despite the world’s efforts in exploring alternative forms of energy, oil and gas demand will continue because it is cheap, dense, and readily transportable around the globe. Although major operators shift some of their cash towards other energy sources, infill redevelopment and squeezing of mature assets are continuously needed to help bridge the gap and keep wells producing in a context of rising inflation, supply chain disruptions and the skyrocketing cost of raw materials.  Sand production has been among the issues experienced by operators, particularly in mature and ageing fields, where remedial sand control is needed to control and manage the sand to avoid damage to the facilities. Remedial sand control is typically characterised by design limitations, technical integrity concerns, cash flow, and economic constraints. Few technology trends have become apparent and evolved such as through tubing screens (metallic and erosion resistant screens), sand consolidation and through-tubing gravel packs to address the challenges such as fines production, well accessibility and surface facilities limitations. Case histories describing failure observations are encouraged in this session as they are key to improving the reliability of the remedial sand control and developing best practices. Solutions will be shared highlighting the selection process, placement techniques, mechanical vs. chemicals solution, and innovative technologies.

Determining sand-producing intervals, solids volumes and rates are still considered a challenge these days as there are many uncertaintaities related to it. However, with the aid of advanced technologies, production engineers are able to grasp valuable insights into sand monitoring. This session will focus on sand monitoring techniques that can aid in critically managing credible measurement data to develop fit-for-purpose sand management and sand control strategies. This allows for integration between databases which enables extensive evaluation of how digitalisation can improve the way to manage sanding data.

Surface sand handling and management are vital for the goal of achieving the sustainability of hydrocarbon production, minimising loss of production as well as operating cost due to associated downtime/disruption of sand production. Sand production at surface facilities will cause damage and erosion to the surface components e.g. wellhead, choke, flowlines, valves, headers, etc. which may lead to mechanical integrity as well as process separation performance. In some circumstances, although subsurface sand control and management have been considered and installed, there is still the possibility of failure under normal operating conditions either due to early water breakthrough, failure of completion methodology, etc. With this, the immediate intervention of sand treatment at surface facilities is required. This session will discuss the challenges of sand production handling and management on the surface, best practices, the latest technology or methodology in managing sand efficiently and industry guideline to manage the well within the operating envelope.

In general, sustainability is a way of conducting business without negatively impacting the environment, community and society as a whole. The circular economy strongly supports this concept by stretching the useful lifecycle of a product or byproduct as well as by implementing efforts to reduce waste. 

To meet the energy demand, the oil and gas industry needs to produce continuously. Among the key product, there is an unwanted product produced together with hydrocarbon. There are contaminants (CO2, H2S, Mercury) and solids. i.e. sand. Over the years, tons of sand have been produced from the industry and in general, the produced sand is collected and disposed of as scheduled waste. There is a saying when there is an issue, lies an opportunity. An increasing number of industry players are charting up road maps and implementing activities towards achieving their specific sustainability and circular economy goals and targets. Can the same be said for sand management? In this session, we will share the latest trends, know-how, and pockets of efforts by the industry players in adopting a circular economy in sand management.