Mastering Production Stability: Sand Control in Oil & Gas Wells Training Course

Introduction

Uncontrolled sand production from oil and gas reservoirs poses significant operational challenges, leading to equipment erosion, reduced well productivity, increased downtime, and potential wellbore collapse. Effective sand control is therefore a critical aspect of well completion and production management, ensuring the long-term integrity of the wellbore and the continuous, economic flow of hydrocarbons. Selecting and implementing the appropriate sand control method, from mechanical exclusion to chemical consolidation, is paramount for sustainable production in unconsolidated or weakly consolidated formations.

This intensive training course is meticulously designed to equip participants with a comprehensive and practical understanding of various sand control techniques. From exploring the fundamental mechanisms of sand production and diagnostic methods to mastering the design and execution of gravel packs, frac packs, and chemical consolidation, you will gain the expertise to mitigate sand-related problems effectively. This empowers you to optimize well performance, reduce operational costs, extend well lifespans, and strategically contribute to maximizing hydrocarbon recovery from challenging, sand-prone reservoirs.

Target Audience

  • Production Engineers and Production Technologists.
  • Completion Engineers and Supervisors.
  • Well Intervention Specialists.
  • Reservoir Engineers and Petroleum Engineers.
  • Drilling Engineers (for completion interface).
  • Operations Managers and Field Superintendents.
  • Technical Staff from Service Companies (Sand Control, Completion).
  • Academics and Students in Petroleum Engineering.

Duration: 10 days

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this training course, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the fundamental mechanisms of sand production in oil and gas wells.
  • Grasp various methods for diagnosing and predicting sand production.
  • Analyze different sand control techniques, including mechanical and chemical methods.
  • Comprehend the design and execution principles of gravel packing and frac packing.
  • Evaluate the applications and limitations of consolidation methods and screens.
  • Develop practical skills in selecting the optimal sand control strategy for specific well conditions.
  • Navigate common challenges and troubleshooting scenarios in sand control operations.
  • Formulate robust plans for long-term well integrity and sustained production in sand-prone environments.

Course Content

  1. Introduction to Sand Production and Control
  • Definition and mechanisms of sand production.
  • Consequences of uncontrolled sand production: erosion, fill, equipment damage, well collapse.
  • Economic and safety implications of sand production.
  • Overview of sand control techniques.
  • Importance of sand control in well life cycle.
  1. Sand Production Prediction and Diagnosis
  • Factors influencing sand production: rock strength, fluid flow rates, depletion, water cut.
  • Laboratory testing for sand production potential (e.g., uniaxial compressive strength).
  • Well logs for sand prediction (e.g., sonic, resistivity).
  • Production history analysis and field observations.
  • Downhole imaging and production logging for diagnosing sand entry points.
  1. Sand Control Screens and Liners
  • Types of sand screens: wire-wrapped, pre-packed, slotted liners.
  • Screen design considerations: slot size, open flow area, material selection.
  • Inflow performance through screens.
  • Installation techniques for screens and liners.
  • Common screen failure modes and prevention.
  1. Gravel Packing - Principles and Design
  • Basic concept of gravel packing: placing a permeable filter around the screen.
  • Purpose of gravel pack: retaining formation sand, preventing screen erosion.
  • Gravel pack fluid types and additives.
  • Gravel sizing criteria: matching gravel to formation sand.
  • Perforation tunnel design for gravel packs.
  1. Gravel Packing - Execution and Evaluation
  • Gravel pack slurry preparation and quality control.
  • Pumping techniques: circulating, squeeze, shunting.
  • Tool string components for gravel packing.
  • Gravel pack placement and packing efficiency.
  • Post-job evaluation: production logging, pressure analysis.
  1. Frac Packing (Fracture-Packing)
  • Principles of frac packing: combining hydraulic fracturing with gravel packing.
  • Purpose: bypassing near-wellbore damage, stimulating low permeability formations while controlling sand.
  • Design considerations for frac packs: fluid selection, proppant schedule.
  • Execution techniques and equipment.
  • Advantages and limitations of frac packing.
  1. Chemical Consolidation Methods
  • Concept of chemical consolidation: binding formation sand grains.
  • Resin types and their applications.
  • Placement techniques for chemical consolidants.
  • Advantages: no mechanical restriction, suitable for thin zones.
  • Limitations: fluid compatibility, temperature, cost, effectiveness in high permeability.
  1. Stand-Alone Screen (SAS) and Open Hole Completions
  • Application of stand-alone screens in stable formations.
  • Design considerations for SAS in open hole.
  • Open hole gravel packs: methodology and challenges.
  • When to choose SAS versus other methods.
  • Benefits and risks of open hole sand control.
  1. Sand Control Fluid Selection and Management
  • Role of completion fluids in sand control operations.
  • Fluid loss control additives and their impact.
  • Preventing formation damage during sand control operations.
  • Cleanup and flowback procedures.
  • Fluid recycling and disposal considerations.
  1. Advanced Sand Control Concepts and Case Studies
  • Expandable sand screens and their applications.
  • Smart completions with integrated sand control.
  • Sand production management in horizontal and multilateral wells.
  • Real-time monitoring of sand production.
  • Case studies of successful and challenging sand control projects.

CERTIFICATION

  • Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with Macskills Training and Development Institute Certificate

TRAINING VENUE

  • Training will be held at Macskills Training Centre. We also tailor make the training upon request at different locations across the world.

AIRPORT PICK UP AND ACCOMMODATION

  • Airport pick up and accommodation is arranged upon request

TERMS OF PAYMENT

Payment should be made to Macskills Development Institute bank account before the start of the training and receipts sent to info@macskillsdevelopment.com

For More Details call: +254-114-087-180

 

 mastering Production Stability: Sand Control In Oil & Gas Wells Training Course in Norway
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