Analytical Evaluation of Sand Production Process for Oil and Gas Wells in the Asmari Reservoir of the Ahwaz Field

Due to the significance of the sand production (SP) issue in sandstone hydrocarbon reservoirs, the main objective of this study is to evaluate the Asmari formation layers along well No. 469 in the Ahwaz hydrocarbon field in terms of SP causes and its potential capacity to provide suitable solutions for its reduction from a geomechanical perspective. The evaluation was carried out using the Techlog software. The required parameters for constructing a one-dimensional geomechanical reservoir model were estimated from available data. The Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion was adopted considering the scale effect for perforated cavities under non-hydrostatic stress conditions. After constructing the one-dimensional model, the Critical DrawDown Pressure (CDDP) curve was plotted for both open hole and perforation completions, and the susceptible SP zones were identified. The M2 layer was selected as one of the most susceptible zones for SP sensitivity analysis due to its low strength, porosity, and permeability compared to other layers. The sensitivity analysis was conducted based on well geometry, formation rock properties, field stress conditions, and perforated cavity characteristics. The analysis was performed at depths of 2822 and 2837 meters in the open hole and the perforation completions, respectively, with a dominant sand diameter of 200 microns in the potential SP zone. The Critical Bottom Hole Pressure (CBHP) and the Critical Reservoir Pressure (CRP) were estimated to be 1898 and 2735 pounds per square inch, respectively, in the maximum horizontal stress direction with a 0.4-inch perforation diameter and 861 and 2115 pounds per square inch, respectively, in the direction perpendicular to the maximum horizontal stress direction with a 0.3-inch perforation diameter. By defining and determining Transitional Deviation Angle (TDA), Minimum Safe Deviation Angle (MSDA), and Critical Perforation Orientation Angle (CPOA) based on sensitivity analyses, a novel design approach for perforation operations in sand-prone reservoirs has been introduced.