ABSTRACT

Geomechanical sanding evaluation has become a key tool in the development of fit-for-purpose sand management strategies and well completion decisions. Geomechanical analyses identify the likely sand producing intervals, the timing (pressure conditions) and the severity of sanding. Sanding evaluations are ideally calibrated against field sanding observations. However, in the absence of field observations, the validity of geomechanical analyses can be a concern for field development planning, well design or well intervention decision. This paper focuses on the credibility of geomechanical sanding risk evaluation, conducted at appraisal and early field life stages. It includes two gas fields case studies from two different geological settings, stress regimes and rock strengths, well types and operation conditions. The case studies include: (1) the Geographe gas field, offshore Otway Basin in Victoria with nearly 2.5 km long open hole completion with pre-drilled liner and more than 11 years of production, and (2) the Waitsia gas field onshore North Perth Basin in Western Australia with cased and perforated completion which has been on production since 2016.