Submit your papersSubmit Now
For Enquiries: [email protected]
IIARD LogoIIARD

Sand Control Technology: A Review Study

Uchenna Nnoyerem Onyejiaka, Nkemakolam Chinedu Izuwa, Nnaemeka Uwaezuoke, Chukwuebuka Francis Dike

Abstract

Sand production is one of the global documented hazard oil field passes through field development phase, and is often visible with oil and gas formation with unconsolidated sandstone. There is need to manage sand production for effective oil production. When the sand production issue is mismanaged, sand particles in the borehole starts accumulating, blocking the oil flow path, resulting in a rapid drop in the production capacity of oil and gas wells, and potentially leading to abrupt abandonment of the well. In this study, different sand control approaches were documented ranging from conventional to new techniques. From the result of the study, polymer-based solutions such as resin diversion technique and nanoparticle-based solution such as zeta potential sand control were identified as new methods for sand production control. The surface sand control systems were identified as excellent sand control for high pressure reservoir, while digital oilfield technology approach proved to be the best in sand prediction, monitoring and control.

Keywords

Sand ProductionSand Production ControlOil Production

References

[1] Kamaruddin N, Karim A, Hasmin N, Bela MaN, Riyanto SM, Samuel L, O. B., et al. Malaysia’s first successful implementation of sand consolidation technology as a primary sand control method executed during the drilling phase: success story and lessons learned, in SPE/IATMI Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition, Virtual.2021. [2] Gomez R, Khan, P., and Stolboushkin, E. Novel multi-stage fracturing sand control technology to improve completion efficiency,” in Early Production and Reduce Well Cost. International Petroleum Technology Conference, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 2022 [3] Aborisade O.P. Practical Approach to Effective Sand Prediction, Control and Management. Masters Thesis, African University of Science and Technology, Abuja. 2011. [4] Djebbar T. Completion technology for Unconsolidated Formations, revision ‘‘Advanced Petro-physics Lecture Note: Chapter 7-Effect of Stress on Rock Properties’’, 2, June 1995. AP (6W) - AUST 2014 [5] Ayazi P, Peregoy N, Monreal G, and Zamora F. Screening friction reducer performance using zeta potential, in SPE International Conference on Oilfield Chemistry, The Woodlands, Texas, USA., 2021. [6] Ubuara DO, Olayinka YA, Emujakporue GO, and Soronnadi-Ononiwu GC. Evaluation of formation susceptibility and sand production potential in an offshore field, Niger Delta Basin, Nigeria. Energy Geosci., 2024; 5 (1), 100213. doi:10.1016/j. engeos.2023.100213 [7] Kueh JZ, Tan KL, Dev D, Thamilarasu MR, AbdWahab S, Riyanto L, et al. (2022). Sand consolidation treatment: durability in an alternative primary Frontiers in Energy Research 15 frontiersin.org He et al. 10.3389/fenrg.2024.1399033 sand control method for a marginal reservoir, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. [8] Cavender T, Roane TO, and Restarick HL. Interfacing fracturing and sand control completion strategies into multilateral technology; considerations and solutions, in SPE Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition, Jakarta, Indonesia. 2003. [9] Ranjith PG, Perera MSA, Perera WKG, Choi SK, and Yasar E. Sand production during the extrusion of hydrocarbons from geological formations: a review. J. Petroleum Sci. Eng., 2014; 124: 72–82. doi:10.1016/j.petrol.2014.10.017 [10] Al-Arnous AB, Al-Bensad Z, Ahmed D, Bin Md, Noor, MN, Batita N, et al. Successful intervention of coiled tubing rugged tool with real-time telemetry system in Saudi arabia first multistage fracturing completion with sand control system,” in SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Dubai, UAE. 2021. [11] Gomez R, Khan P, and Stolboushkin E. “Novel multi-stage fracturing sand control technology to improve completion efficiency, early production and reduce well cost, in International Petroleum Technology Conference, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 2022 [12] Schubert H, Herrmann W, and Rumpf H. Deformation behaviour of agglomerates under tensile stress. Powder Technol.1975; 11 (2), 121–131. doi:10.1016/0032-5910(75)80037- 4 [13] Osisanya SO. Practical Guidelines for Predicting Sand Production, SPE 136980, paper presented at the 34th Annual SPE International Conference and Exhibition held in Tinapa, Calabar, Nigeria. 2010 [14] Ma L, Dong J, Wang J, Zhang Y, Li G, and Li J. Sand production prediction of depleted- reservoir underground gas storage – an experimental study,” in 56th U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA. 2022. [15] Nie S, Li H, Hu Z, Wen M, Gao S, Zhang H, et al. A review of the research status and development prospects for gravel packing sand control in horizontal wells. Geoenergy Sci. Eng.2023; 229, 212152. doi:10.1016/j.geoen.2023.212152 [16] Matanovic D, Cikes M, and Moslavac B. Sand control in well construction and operation. Berlin, Germany: Springer. 2012 [17] Rodoplu RS, and Al-Mohanna KS. Planning, design and optimization of CT intervention for the first successful multistage fracturing completion with sand control system in the region, in Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference, Abu Dhabi, UAE. 2019. [18] Rozlan MR, Salleh NI, Magna Bela S, Misron MaP, and Kumar, S. Single trip multizonal resin sand consolidation and fracturing, A novel technique in sand and fines control, in ADIPEC, Abu Dhabi, UAE. 2022. [19] Hurt RS, and Germanovich LN. Parameters controlling hydraulic fracturing and fracture tip-dominated leakoff in unconsolidated sands, in SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, San Antonio, Texas, USA. 2012. [20] Dong C, Zhang Q, Gao K, Yang K, Feng X, and Zhou C. Screen sand retaining precision optimization experiment and a new empirical design model. Petroleum Explor. Dev., 2016; 43: 1082–1088. doi:10.1016/s1876-3804(16) 30126-4 [21] Safaei A, Asefi M, Ahmadi M, Pourshamsi T, Baloochestanzadeh S, Khalilnezhad A., et al. (2023). Chemical treatment for sand production control: a review of materials, methods, and field operations. Petroleum Sci. 20 (3), 1640–1658. doi:10.1016/j.petsci.2023.02.013 [22] Safaei A, Asefi M, Ahmadi M, Pourshamsi T, Baloochestanzadeh S, Khalilnezhad A, et al. Chemical treatment for sand production control: a review of materials, methods, and field operations. Petroleum Sci. 2023; 20 (3), 1640–1658. doi:10.1016/j.petsci.2023.02.013 [23] Piemontese M, Colombo M, Ripa G, Dario P, Singh P, and Murphy J. Successful placement of an advancing sand and fines control chemical as a remedial sand control, using subsea flow lines from an FPSO, in SPE Deepwater Drilling and Completions Conference, Galveston, Texas, USA. 2014. [24] Solares JR, Bartko KM, and Habbtar AH. Pushing the envelope: successful hydraulic fracturing for sand control strategy in high gas rate screenless completions in the jauf reservoir, Saudi arabia,” in International Symposium and Exhibition on Formation Damage Control, Lafayette, Louisiana. 2002. [25] Martin WL, Alexander JD, and Dew JN. Process variables of in situ combustion. Trans. AIME, 1958; 213 (01), 28–35. doi:10.2118/914-g [26] Abass HH, Wilson JM, Venditto JJ, and Voss RE. Stimulating weak formations using new hydraulic fracturing and sand control approaches,” in SPE Production Operations Symposium, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 1993. [27] Bale A, Owren K, and Smith MB. Propped fracturing as a tool for sand control and reservoir management. SPE Prod. Facil.1994; 9 (01), 19–28. doi:10.2118/ 24992-pa [28] Baker C, Peach S, and Brkich N. Justification for fracturing medium to high permeability formations in sand control environments,” in Annual Technical Meeting, Calgary, Alberta. 1995. [29] Carpenter C. Hybrid sand-consolidation fluid offers versatility in treatment of shallow reservoirs. J. Petroleum Technol. 2018; 70 (10), 71–72. doi:10.2118/1018-0071-jpt [30] Liu K, Zhu W, and Pan B. Laboratory evaluation on oil-soluble resin as selective water shut-off agent in water control fracturing for low-permeability hydrocarbon reservoirs with bottom aquifer. Geoenergy Sci. Eng., 2023; 225, 211672. doi:10.1016/j.geoen.2023.211672 [31] Yang, S., Jiang, L., Liu, C., and Deng, Z. Surface simulation and sand proof effect test on composite perforation sand control technique. 2005; 14: 64–66+78. [32] Junstate X, Geology GR, Jianchun G, and Jinzhou Z. New progress in technology of controlling proppant flowback. Fault-Block Oil Gas Field. 2008. [33] Katende A, Allen C, Rutqvist J, Nakagawa S, and Radonjic M. Experimental and numerical investigation of proppant embedment and conductivity reduction within a fracture in the Caney Shale, Southern Oklahoma, USA. Fuel, 2023; 341, 127571. doi:10.1016/j.fuel.2023.127571 [34 Hasmin M. a. N, M Jeffry M, S. J., Tusimin F, Cheol HR, Anand S, Zeidan A, et al. Application of resin sand consolidation as primary sand control: case study of a new development well in offshore sarawak,” in ADIPEC, Abu Dhabi, UAE. 2022. [35] Zhou F, Zong Y, Liu Y, Yang X, Xiong C, Zhang S, et al. Application and study of fine- silty sand control technique using fiber-complex high-pressure pack in sebei gas reservoir,” in SPE International Symposium and Exhibition on Formation Damage Control,Lafayette, Louisiana, USA. 2006. [36] He X, Pang Z, Ren L, Zhao L, Lu X, Wang Y and Liu P. A critical review on analysis of sand producing and sand-control technologies for oil well in oilfields. Front. Energy Res., 2024; 12:1399033.doi: 10.3389/fenrg.2024.1399033 [37] Tahirov T, Allam R, Mason J, Twynam A, Tanilir B, Sweeney K, et al. “Design and successful field execution of sand control completions in naturally fractured reservoirs,” in SPE International Symposium and Exhibition on Formation Damage Control, Lafayette, Louisiana, USA. 2014. [38] Kalabayev R, Sukhova E, Rovshenov G, Gurbanov G, Gil J, and Kontarev R. Novel sand conglomeration treatment prevents sand production and enhances well productivity: offshore caspian case study,” in SPE Middle East Oil and Gas Show and Conference. 2021. [39] Sudeep R. Transforming Oil and Gas Operations with Digital Oilfield Technology. Digital Transformation. 2024, Retrieved by 15th –July-2025 from https://appstekcorp.com/blog/transforming-oil-and-gas-operations-with-digital-oilfield- technology/#:~:text=A%20digital%20oilfield%20solution%20optimizes,better%20control %20and%20performance%20optimization [40] Okwori C. Digital Oilfield Transformation and Optimization. Lecture Slides, ETL Engineering Limited. 2025 [41] Verhoeven R, Huygens M, Van Poucke L, Witter JV, Hakvoort H. Design of a smart sand trap construction as a part of an interregional environmental study. Transactions on Engineering Sciences, 1996; Vol. 9. [42] Brown JC, Lopez R, Biondy E, Romero EO, Miguel JH. The Sand Trap as an Innovative Device for Surface Solids Management in Oil Wells. SPE Paper, 2018; SPE-191201-MS [43] Tiger Safety Rentals (2023). Efficient management in oil and gas production with cyclonic sand traps. Retrieved by 15th-July-2025 from https://tigersafetyrentals.com/sand- management-in-oil-and-gasproduction#:~:text=Cyclonic%20sand%20traps %20are%20specially,related%20equipment%20failures%20or%20blockages

More Articles from INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING AND MODERN TECHNOLOGY