Sand production is a truly global problem which causes many millions of dollars in equipment damage, deferred or lost production and non-productive time (NPT) every year. As completions become more complex, with longer intervals and smaller pore to fracture pressure windows, the accurate selection, modeling and evaluation of sand control techniques has become crucial for completion optimization and risk minimization. This presentation reviews the fundamental causes and impact of sand production before introducing the various sand control techniques used across the industry along with their respective advantages and challenges. It is aimed at young professionals who would like to develop a basic understanding of sand control completions.
