SPE 136728

Establishment of a Sand Production Prediction Model for Inclined Casing

Perforated Well
Shuangxi Xie, Ren Yiwei and Chen Zhousheng, CNOOC Energy Technology & Services - Oilfield Technology Services Co.

Copyright 2010, Society of Petroleum Engineers

This paper was prepared for presentation at the CPS/SPE International Oil & Gas Conference and Exhibition in China held in Beijing, China, 8–10 June 2010.

This paper was selected for presentation by a CPS/SPE program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper have not been
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Abstract
Referring to the casing perforated wells and based on linear-elastic theory, the stress around borehole and perforations of deviated
well is analyzed and the influence of stress distribution around borehole and perforations is also fully considered. In the paper, the
conception of two formation stability coefficients respectively based on Mohr-Coulomb yield criterion and Drucker-Prager yield
criterion is presented. Stress around perforations and Drucker-Prager yield criterion are used to establish a sand production

prediction model and prediction software was programmed. Finally, the sand production is predicted for the well W1 by the model
and the predicted result is almost identical with realistic situation.
Instruction

Unconsolidated sandstone reservoirs exists a more general problem of sand. Oil well Sanding will shorten oil well life,
abrasive down hole tools, reduces oil output, add production costs, leading to wells have ceased production or scrapped. As the
impact of factors and parameters of sand a lot, and the interaction of various factors, mutual influence, resorted to the problem of
sand has become very complicated. We should according to different strata, different methods and different completion process of
sand to take some different research methods. At present, most wells perforated completion. In order to ensure the normal
development of reservoirs, and the normal production of wells, carried out Sand Production Prediction Model for Inclined Casing

Perforated Well is a great significance. To wells in the reservoir rocks in the production of stress analysis based on the
establishment of a theoretical prediction model for sand production.

1．Borehole wall rock stress state［1］

The natural balance of the original rock will be disturbed during drilling, so that borehole adjacent rock stress changes
within a certain range. The stress after the changes can be described with six stress components,
σ θ ， σ r ， σ z ， τ rθ ，
τ θz & τ rz . (Figure 1)
2 SPE 136728

z σ z
dθ
τ zθ
τ zr
τ θr
τ rθ
τ θz τ rz σ
σθ r

Figure 1 Wall stress component in cylindrical coordinates

For the depth of H, hole deviation α , azimuth angle of the inclined borehole β , Borehole wall rock effected by the
pressure of overlying rock, maximum horizontal stress and minimum σV σ
V τ yz z σy
stress levels of three stress components of the role of the original β z τ xy
τ xz
landowners. To describe the stress state of rock around borehole is σh τ zy y
τ yx
required to coordinate transformation of the inclined shaft. Coordinate 2
τ zx
transformation shown in Figure 2. The new coordinate system z-axis σH α σx
1
parallels to the borehole axis, x, y-axis in the vertical wells within the x
borehole axis cross-section.
σr
Figure 2 Earth stress conversion

Transformed in-situ stress components σ xx 、 σ yy 、 σ zz 、 τ xy 、 τ yz 、 τ xz expressed as:

σ xx = cos 2α (σ H cos 2 β + σ h sin 2 β ) + σ V sin 2 β ⎫

⎪
σ yy = σ H sin 2 β + σ h cos 2 β ⎪
( ) ⎪
σ zz = sin 2α σ H cos 2 β + σ h sin 2 β + σ V cos 2α ⎪
⎬ ----------------（1）
τ xy = cosα ⋅ sinβ ⋅ cosβ (σ h − σ H ) ⎪
(
τ xz = cosα ⋅ sinα σ H cos 2 β + σ h sin 2 β − σ V ⎪⎪ )
τ yz = sinα ⋅ sinβ ⋅ cosβ (σ h − σ H ) ⎪
⎭
Borehole rock stress calculation depends on the formation of stress-strain behavior. For the homogeneous, isotropic and
linear-elastic formation, When the far-field pore pressure constant, the stress distribution around the hole state can be
derived according to elasticity theory and based on the fundamental equations of elasticity. The inclined borehole rock stress
state can be expressed as:
SPE 136728 3

⎛ σ xx + σ yy ⎞⎛ r ⎞ ⎛ σ − σ yy ⎞⎛ 4r ⎞⎫
2 4 2
3r
σ r = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟⎜⎜ 1 − w2 ⎟⎟ + ⎜⎜ xx ⎟⎟⎜⎜ 1 + w4 − w2 ⎟⎟ ⎪
⎝ 2 ⎠⎝ r ⎠ ⎝ 2 ⎠⎝ r r ⎠⎪
⎪
⎛ 3r
4
4r ⎞
2
r
2
⎪
cos2θ + τ xy ⎜⎜ 1 + w4 − w2 ⎟⎟ sin2θ + p wf w2
⎪
⎝ r r ⎠ r
⎪
⎛ σ xx + σ yy ⎞⎛ rw ⎞ ⎛ σ xx − σ yy ⎞⎛
2
3rw ⎞
4 ⎪
σ θ = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟⎜⎜ 1 + 2 ⎟⎟ − ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟⎜⎜ 1 + 4 ⎟⎟cos2θ ⎪
⎝ 2 ⎠⎝ r ⎠ ⎝ 2 ⎠⎝ r ⎠ ⎪
⎪
⎛ 3r ⎞
4
r
2
⎪
− τ xy ⎜⎜ 1 + w4 ⎟⎟ sin2θ − p wf w2
⎪
⎝ r ⎠ r
⎪
⎪⎪
σ z = σ zz − 2 μ (σ xx − σ yy ) 2 cos2θ − 4 μτ xy 2 sin2θ
2 2
rw rw ------------（2）
⎬
r r ⎪
⎛ σ xx − σ yy ⎞⎛ 3rw 4 2 rw 2 ⎞ ⎪
τ rθ = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟⎜⎜ 1 − 4 + 2 ⎟⎟ sin2θ + τ xy ⎪
⎝ 2 ⎠⎝ r r ⎠ ⎪
⎪
⎛ 3rw 4
2 rw ⎞
2
⎪
⎜
⋅ ⎜ 1 − 4 + 2 ⎟cos2θ ⎟
⎪
⎝ r r ⎠
⎪
⎛ rw ⎞ ⎪
τ θz = (− τ xz sin θ + τ yz cos θ )⎜⎜1 + 2 ⎟⎟
2

⎪
⎝ r ⎠ ⎪
⎪
⎛ rw ⎞
τ rz = (τ xz cos θ + τ yz sin θ )⎜1 − 2 ⎟
2
⎜ ⎟ ⎪
⎪
⎝ r ⎠ ⎪⎭

In the above equation, r as borehole radius, w as the bottom-hole pressure, e is the radial distance from borehole. σ xx 、
σ yy τ xy τ yz τ xz are coordinate transformed by the in situ stress components.
、 σ zz 、 、 、

2. Perforation hole rock stress state

σz
At present, most of these wells are perforated completion, when pore
perforation is destroyed, the oil wells will produce sand. Initial
σθ
production wells, perforation pore was slender.
Most perforation pore length of 300 mm above, the entry hole pore
diameter 10 ~ 12mm. We can approximate that the pore as a cylinder, hole Borehole hole
［3］
Simplified mechanical model shown in Figure 3. In the diagram, in
accordance with available borehole boreholes surrounding rock stress Figure 3 Perforation hole by trying to rock
Stress Conversion
conditions force the situation.
According to the basic theory of elasticity, borehole rock stress solving method and borehole stress state of rock as
known condition, We can obtain any angle deviated perforation pore rock stress. Perforation hole wall and the stress
distribution as follows:
4 SPE 136728

σ m = p pf ⎫
⎪
σ φ = (σ θ + σ z ) − 2(σ θ − σ z )cos2φ − 4τ θz sin2φ − p pf ⎪
σ n = σ r − 2μ (σ θ − σ z )cos2φ − 4μτθz sin2φ ⎪
⎪ ------------（3）
⎬
τ mφ = 0 ⎪
τ φn = 2(− τ rθ sinφ + τ zr cosφ ) ⎪
⎪
τ mn = 0 ⎪⎭

Where: σ m 、 σ φ 、 σ n 、 τ mφ 、 τ φn 、 τ mn as Perforation hole stress components; p pf as Hole pressure.

As most of them are in principal stress failure criterion, hence the hole in the wall of the points identified after the stress,
it is necessary to convert it into a principal stress, pore walls of the main stress is:

⎫
σ1 = σ m ⎪
⎪
⎪
σ 2 = ⎢ (σ φ + σ n ) + (σ− σ n ) + 4τ φ2n ⎥
⎡1 1 2 ⎤
φ ⎬ ------------（4）
⎣2 2 ⎦ ⎪
⎪
σ 3 = ⎢ (σ φ + σ n ) − (σ φ − σ n )2 + 4τ φ2n ⎤⎥
⎡1 1
⎪
⎣2 2 ⎦ ⎭

where: σ 1 、 σ 2 、 σ 3 size of the order scheduled in a concrete calculation.

3. Prediction model
Formation Sanding is mainly caused by the rock destruction under stress due to rock elastic-plastic deformation.
Determination and analysis of formation sanding must be based on a certain criterion of rock constitution and intensity.
There are a lot of criteria for determining the strength of rock elastic yield strength at present, but the commonly used
criteria are Mohr-Coulomb criterion and Drucker-Prager criterion.
3.1 Mohr-Coulomb criterion

Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion assumes that only the maximum principal stress and minimum principal stress will
exert the impact on rock destruction. The theory deems that: for isotropic material, the shear force to resist damage is equal
to the sliding friction along potential failure surface plus the cohesion. Formula is as follows:
SPE 136728 5

τ f = τ 0 + σ n tanϕ
σ1 +σ 3
σn = ------------（5）
2
σ1 −σ 3
τ max =
2

Where τ max > τ f , the formation yield occurs and it is possible to produce sand.

The principal stress is used to describe Mohr-Coulomb as follows:

1 + sinϕ 2τ cosϕ
σ1 = σ3 + 0 ------------（6）
1 − sinϕ 1 − sinϕ

Where: σ n is the effective normal stress of rock destruction surface; ϕ is internal friction angle.
τ 0 is rock cohesion.
ϕ and τ 0 can be obtained through the rock mechanics experiment or calculated from logging data.
σ 1 and σ 3 is the maximum and minimum hole wall effective principal stress respectively.
For convenience, the the concept of formation stability index k is proposed as following:

1 + sin ϕ
σ −σ
1 − sin ϕ
1 3
k = ------------（7）
2τ 0 cos ϕ
1 − sin ϕ
Where: k<1, formation in the steady state.
k=1, formation in the critical state.
k>1, yield formation sanding.
3.2 Drucker-Prager Failure criterion
Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion is simple, but it does not take into account of the effects of intermediate principal
stress. Drucker-Prager failure criterion takes into account of the impact of middle stress on the rock destruction, to overcome
the main weakness of the Mohr-Coulomb failure criteria, so it is applied widely in the rock mechanics and engineering
numerical analysis at home and abroad. The criterion is expressed with the principal stress as:

J 2 = C 0 + C1 J 1 ------------（8）
6 SPE 136728

Where, C 0 ， C1 are the relevant experimental parameters related with the cohesion and internal friction angle; J1 is
the first deviatoric stress variant; J 2 is the second deviatoric stress variant.
6 sin ϕ
C0 =
3 (3 − sin ϕ )

6τ 0 cosϕ
C1 =
3 (3 − cosϕ )

J 1 = (σ 1 + σ 2 + σ 3 )
1
3

J2 =
1
6
[
(σ 1 − σ 2 )2 + (σ 2 − σ 3 )2 + (σ 3 − σ 1 )2 ]
As the computational complexity, we could use another concept, formation stability index S to predict the formation of

stability.

S = C1 J 1 + C 0 − J 2 ------------（8）

Where : S>0, formation in the steady state.

S=0, formation in the critical state.
S<0, yield formation sanding.
The formulas (2), (3), (4) and (8) can used to calculate the critical oil sand production pressure.

4.Model & Exampes

Through derivation of rock stress distribution for the inclined perforation well and combined with Drucker-Prager failure
criterion, the sand production prediction model was established. The input parameters for the model calculation are mainly
the logging data and formation data. The use of logging data overcomes problem of lack of core experimental data. The
model flow chart is shown in Figure 4. This model was used to predict the sand production of offshore well W 1 and
calculate the critical production pressure. Prediction results indicated that each interval of well W1 produces sand at the
critical production pressure difference of 2 to 4MPa. Table 1 shows the sand prediction of well W1. The model predicted
results are basically consistent with the actual production situation of well W 1. It is indicated that our prediction model has
the use value for sand prediction.
SPE 136728 7

Table 1 Sanding prediction results of well W1

Young's Compressiv Combination Critical
Interval Poisson's
modulus(10 e strength modulus(10 pressure Result
(m) ratio
4MPa) (MPa) 4MPa) (MPa)
1740.0-1743.6 0.2669 1.4173 14.6439 1.6593 3.2925 sand production

1746.0-1749.6 0.2796 1.3533 15.0673 1.6284 4.2599 sand production

1935.1-1949.0 0.2693 1.3531 13.6430 1.4881 2.2359 sand production

1953.3-1960.6 0.2870 1.3059 14.8030 1.5984 2.5699 sand production

1973.1-1981.9 0.2727 1.4392 16.1182 1.5092 3.0923 sand production

1984.6-1987.9 0.2724 1.4622 16.2304 1.5367 3.1271 sand production

Logging data, engineering parameters and formation data

Calculation of in-situ stress S-wave

l it

Mechanical constitutive Stress coordinate transformation Rock elastic, strength parameters

Strength parameter
Calculated wall stress and Criteria
ll i t

Determine Sand

Calculate the critical production

pressure difference

Figure 4 Sand prediction model calculation process flow chart

8 SPE 136728

5. Conclusion
（1） There are a lot of factors that affect the sand production for the perforated wells, but when the perforation holes are
damage due to local formation yield, it will produce sand.
（2）The establishment of perforated completion sanding prediction model must be based on the the analysis of perforated
hole surrounding rock stress state. The stress of surrounding rock can be obtained by simplified model and according to the
stress distribution of borehole surrounding rock.

（3）Coulomb-Mohr criterion and Drucker-Prager criterion are the two most commonly used failure criterion for sanding
prediction and research of borehole stability. Drucker-Prager criterion takes into account of the effects of intermediate
principal stress to make up the defects of Coulomb-Mohr criteriar.

（4）The newly created perforated completion sanding prediction model can be applied to inclined wells and its prediction
accuracy depends on the input parameters, and the accurate parameters need to be corrected and improved according to the
cock mechanics test data and field experience.

References
[1] Liu Xiangdong, Luo Pinya. Oil Well Logging and Borehole Stability. Petroleum Industry Press. 1999.9，3-5

[2] Zhang Jianguo, Cheng Yanfang. Cui Hongying. Open Hole Completion Prediction Model for Sand.Oil drilling
technology 1999.12，27（6）:39-41.

[3] Wang Dexin, Hou Deming. Sand Production Prediction Model. Journal of Petroleum University, 2000，24（5）:17-
19.

[4] Mclean, M.R.& Addis, M.A. Wellbore Stability, The effect of Strength Criteria Distribution Produced but Moisture
Adsorption, SPE 20405