Real-time pipe sand monitoring tool

Abstract

A measured hydrostatic pressure loss across a distance in a pipe, a theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss across the distance in the pipe, and a density of sand for the pipe may be used to determine a sanding indicator value for the pipe. The sanding indicator value may be used to monitor sanding events in the pipe. The monitoring of sanding events in the pipe via the sanding indicator value may be both accurate and timely, enabling operators to take actions to prevent / reduce operational issues and / or damage to the pipe / other equipment.

Description

FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of pipe sand monitoring.BACKGROUND

[0002] Sanding events (i.e., an event in which sand enters a flowing production stream contained within a pipe) are a common concern in oil & gas production. Sand production may cause operational issues and / or cause damage to the pipe / other equipment. Acoustic sand detectors may be used to detect sanding events in the pipe. However, detection of sanding events by acoustic sand detectors may not be accurate as they rely on acoustic signals generated from impinging solid particles, which could be undetectable with the flow noise. Acoustic sand detectors also require specific installation, calibration, and maintenance. Additionally, detection of sanding events by acoustic sand detectors may be delayed due to their location downstream of the pipe and other critical equipment, such as the well choke. Therefore, detection of sanding events by acoustic sand detectors may not provide enough time to prevent / reduce operational issues and / or damage to the pipe / other equipment. Moreover, misplacement of sand detectors may cause issues with sanding event detections. For example, it may be difficult to position intrusive sand detectors at locations where sand particles hit the wall of the pipe. In such cases, intrusive sand detectors may not accurately detect sand production.SUMMARY

[0003] This disclosure relates to pipe sand monitoring. Measured hydrostatic pressure loss information for a pipe, theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss information for the pipe, sand density information and / or other information may be obtained. The measured hydrostatic pressure loss information may define a measured hydrostatic pressure loss across a distance in the pipe. The theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss information may define a theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss across the distance in the pipe. The sand density information may define a density of sand for the pipe. A sanding indicator value may be determined based on the measured hydrostatic pressure loss across the distance in the pipe, the theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss across the distance in the pipe, the density of sand for the pipe, and / or other information. Sand monitoring for the pipe based on the sanding indicator value and / or other information may be facilitated.

[0004] A system for pipe sand monitoring may include one or more electronic storage, one or more processors and / or other components. The electronic storage may store information relating to a pipe, measured hydrostatic pressure loss information, information relating to measured hydrostatic pressure loss, theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss information, information relating to theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss, sand density information, information relating to density of sand, information relating to sanding indicator value, information relating to sand monitoring, and / or other information.

[0005] The processor(s) may be configured by machine-readable instructions. Executing the machine-readable instructions may cause the processor(s) to facilitate pipe sand monitoring. The machine-readable instructions may include one or more computer program components. The computer program components may include one or more of a measured hydrostatic pressure loss component, a theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss component, a sand density component, a sanding indicator component, a sand monitoring component, and / or other computer program components.

[0006] The measured hydrostatic pressure loss component may be configured to obtain measured hydrostatic pressure loss information for a pipe and / or other information. The measured hydrostatic pressure loss information may define a measured hydrostatic pressure loss across a distance in the pipe.

[0007] The theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss component may be configured to obtain theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss information for the pipe and / or other information.

[0008] The theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss information may define a theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss across the distance in the pipe.

[0009] The sand density component may be configured to obtain sand density information and / or other information. The sand density information may define a density of sand for the pipe.

[0010] The sanding indicator component may be configured to determine a sanding indicator value. The sanding indicator value may be determined based on the measured hydrostatic pressure loss across the distance in the pipe, the theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss across the distance in the pipe, the density of sand for the pipe and / or other information.

[0011] In some implementations, the sanding indicator value may reflect a fraction of sand in the pipe. The sanding indicator value may reflect a volume fraction of sand in the pipe. The sanding indicator value may reflect a mass fraction of sand in the pipe.

[0012] In some implementations, the sanding indicator value may be initially determined by assuming that frictional pressure loss across the distance in the pipe is same with and without sanding.

[0013] In some implementations, a value of the frictional pressure loss across the distance in the pipe with sanding may be determined based on the fraction of sand in the pipe reflected by the sanding indicator value and / or other information. A revised fraction of sand in the pipe may be determined based on the value of the frictional pressure loss across the distance in the pipe with sanding and / or other information. Determination of (1) the value of the frictional pressure loss across the distance in the pipe with sanding and (2) the revised fraction of sand in the pipe may be reiterated until convergence is reached with the revised fraction of sand in the pipe. An amount of sand production in the pipe may be determined based on the converged fraction of sand in the pipe and / or other information.

[0014] The sand monitoring component may be configured to facilitate sand monitoring for the pipe. The sand monitoring for the pipe may be performed based on the sanding indicator value and / or other information. In some implementations, the sanding indicator value may enable the sanding event in the pipe to be identified earlier than sanding event detection via an acoustic sand detector.

[0015] In some implementations, facilitation of the sand monitoring for the pipe based on the sanding indicator value may include identification of a sanding event in the pipe based on a change in the sanding indicator value and / or other information. An intermittent sanding event in the pipe may be identified based on a spike in the sanding indicator value. A persistent sanding event in the pipe may be identified based on a sustained increase in the sanding indicator value.

[0016] In some implementations, facilitation of the sand monitoring for the pipe based on the sanding indicator value may include generation of a plot of the sanding indicator value over time. In some implementations, facilitation of the sand monitoring for the pipe based on the sanding indicator value may include reduction of flowrate in the pipe based on sanding event detection.

[0017] These and other objects, features, and characteristics of the system and / or method disclosed herein, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structure and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. As used in the specification and in the claims, the singular form of “a,”“an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates an example system for pipe sand monitoring.

[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates an example method for pipe sand monitoring.

[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates an example pipe.

[0021] FIG. 4 illustrates example intermittent sanding event detection.

[0022] FIG. 5 illustrates example persistent sanding event detection.

[0023] FIG. 6 illustrates example benefit of pipe sand monitoring using sand fraction over acoustic sand detector.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The present disclosure relates to pipe sand monitoring. A measured hydrostatic pressure loss across a distance in a pipe, a theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss across the distance in the pipe, and a density of sand for the pipe may be used to determine a sanding indicator value for the pipe. The sanding indicator value may be used to monitor sanding events in the pipe. The monitoring of sanding events in the pipe via the sanding indicator value may be both accurate and timely, enabling operators to take actions to prevent / reduce operational issues and / or damage to the pipe / other equipment.

[0025] The methods and systems of the present disclosure may be implemented by a system and / or in a system, such as a system 10 shown in FIG. 1. The system 10 may include one or more of a processor 11, an interface 12 (e.g., bus, wireless interface), an electronic storage 13, a display 14, and / or other components. Measured hydrostatic pressure loss information for a pipe, theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss information for the pipe, sand density information and / or other information may be obtained by the processor 11. The measured hydrostatic pressure loss information may define a measured hydrostatic pressure loss across a distance in a pipe. The theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss information may define a theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss across the distance in the pipe. The sand density information may define a density of sand for the pipe. A sanding indicator value may be determined by the processor 11 based on the measured hydrostatic pressure loss across the distance in the pipe, the theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss across the distance in the pipe, the density of sand for the pipe, and / or other information. Sand monitoring for the pipe based on the sanding indicator value and / or other information may be facilitated by the processor 11.

[0026] The electronic storage 13 may be configured to include electronic storage medium that electronically stores information. The electronic storage 13 may store software algorithms, information determined by the processor 11, information received remotely, and / or other information that enables the system 10 to function properly. For example, the electronic storage 13 may store information relating to a pipe, measured hydrostatic pressure loss information, information relating to measured hydrostatic pressure loss, theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss information, information relating to theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss, sand density information, information relating to density of sand, information relating to sanding indicator value, information relating to sand monitoring, and / or other information.

[0027] The display 14 may refer to an electronic device that provides visual presentation of information. The display 14 may include a color display and / or a non-color display. The display 14 may be configured to visually present information. The display 14 may present information using / within one or more graphical user interfaces. For example, the display 14 may present information relating to a pipe, measured hydrostatic pressure loss information, information relating to measured hydrostatic pressure loss, theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss information, information relating to theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss, sand density information, information relating to density of sand, information relating to sanding indicator value, information relating to sand monitoring, and / or other information.

[0028] A pipe may refer to a tube or hollow body for transporting one or more materials (e.g., liquid, gas). A pipe may be located in the ground, on the ground, submerged, and / or above the ground. A pipe may be positioned vertically, with an incline, and / or in other positions. For example, a pipe may include a tube, a flowline, a wellbore, a riser, an annulus, a flow path, a conduit, and / or other structure for transporting materials. While the present disclosure is described with respect to wellbores, this is merely as an example and is not meant to be limiting. Application of the present disclosure to other types of pipe is contemplated.

[0029] A wellbore may refer to a hole that is drilled in the ground. A wellbore may be drilled in the ground for exploration and / or recovery of resources in the ground, such as water or hydrocarbons. For example, a wellbore may be drilled for production of hydrocarbons (e.g., as a production well, as an injection well). During operation of the wellbore, sand may enter the wellbore. For example, stress on the formation surrounding the wellbore may exceed the formation strength and cause rock failure, enabling solid particles / materials, such as sand, proppant, rock, clay, and / or other inorganic materials, to be released into the wellbore. Such events may be referred to as sanding events. Sanding events may cause damage to the wellbore and / or the equipment in or downstream of the wellbore, such as erosion or deposition and clogging. Sanding events may impede flow and / or degrade the operation and productivity of the wellbore.

[0030] Sanding events are difficult to predict. Sand detectors may be placed in the flow path from a wellbore (typically downstream of the wellbore) to detect sanding events. For example, acoustic sand detectors may be placed downstream of a subsea choke and near a bend in the piping geometry of a jumper to detect sanding events. However, acoustic sand detectors utilize sounds to indirectly quantify sanding events. Many different sources of sounds in and around a wellbore (e.g., production noise, choked production fluids, subsea pumps, nearby remotely operated vehicles) may cause false and / or inaccurate detection of sanding events by acoustic sand detectors. For example, other sounds may be falsely read as sanding events in a wellbore or may mask the sounds of sanding events in the wellbore. Additionally, estimating sanding events from recorded sounds is challenging, requiring many assumptions about particle source, particle size distribution, and particle hardness.

[0031] The present disclosure provides a tool to monitor sanding events in a pipe. The present disclosure provides a real time monitoring tool that includes a leading indicator of sanding events (e.g., intermittent or sustained increases in particle concentration) in a pipe. Rather than or in addition to using acoustic sensor data, a dimensionless parameter (reflective of volume / mass fraction of sand) in a pipe may be calculated and used as the leading indicator of sanding events in the pipe. The present disclosure simplifies the monitoring of sanding events (sand monitoring) in a pipe by consolidating many dynamic field parameters (e.g., downhole and wellhead pressures; downhole and wellhead temperatures; multiphase production rates of gas, oil, water; operating conditions) of the pipe into computation of the dimensionless sanding indicator value for the pipe. The monitoring tool accounts for the impact of field conditions through physics-based modeling, improving the sensitivity and robustness of in-field sand monitoring.

[0032] The physics-based tool utilizes known pipe geometry, fluid properties, and measured field data to calculate theoretical friction loss of clean, sand-free pipe, apparent hydrostatic pressure loss and theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss of clean, sand-free pipe, and a dimensionless sanding indicator value that is trended with time. The term “pressure loss” may refer to “pressure drop” and vice versa. The field data may be historical (including well test data), real-time, or some combination thereof. If field data is not available, simulations may be utilized to fill in data gaps. For example, when well production rates are not directly measured by a multiphase flow meter or well test separator, simulations that are tuned to current production rates may be utilized to emulate continuous field measurement (virtual metering).

[0033] The computation of the dimensionless sanding indicator value captures the effects of changing temperature, pressure, material composition, and flow rate in the pipe. The non-dimensional parameter of sanding indicator value may enable standardization of pipe monitoring across wells, regardless of asset association or level of maturity.

[0034] The present disclosure enables early detection of sanding and a simple evaluation of the effectiveness of mitigation and remediation efforts. A sanding indicator value may be a dimensionless parameter reflective of volume / mass fraction of sand in a pipe. The sanding indicator value may indicate sanding events much earlier than the information provided by acoustic sand detectors. The timing of sanding event detection may be defined by the residence time of fluid in the pipe. For example, 5000 BPD rate in 4.5″ ID wellbore may result in 2.9 ft / s fluid velocity. The wellbore may have 20,000 ft of tubing. For this wellbore, the present disclosure may enable sanding event detection as early as 1.9 hours before sand touches the acoustic sand detector location.

[0035] The sanding indicator value may be used to facilitate sand monitoring for the pipe and otherwise improve operation of the pipe. For example, the sanding indicator value may be used to provide / generate warnings of sanding events in the pipe. The warnings may enable operators of the pipe to take actions to mitigate / reduce impact of the sanding events to the pipe / production. For example, a warning of sanding event in a wellbore may enable the operators to choke back wells to reduce erosion damage. Facilities, such as separation trains, may be prepared or selected to manage sand production. Lost production opportunity may be mitigated through monitoring of sand production and controlling to safe limits.

[0036] Referring back to FIG. 1, the processor 11 may be configured to provide information processing capabilities in the system 10. As such, the processor 11 may comprise one or more of a digital processor, an analog processor, a digital circuit designed to process information, a central processing unit, a graphics processing unit, a microcontroller, an analog circuit designed to process information, a state machine, and / or other mechanisms for electronically processing information. The processor 11 may be configured to execute one or more machine-readable instructions 100 to facilitate pipe sand monitoring. The machine-readable instructions 100 may include one or more computer program components. The machine-readable instructions 100 may include a measured hydrostatic pressure loss component 102, a theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss component 104, a sand density component 106, a sanding indicator component 108, a sand monitoring component 110, and / or other computer program components.

[0037] The measured hydrostatic pressure loss component 102 may be configured to obtain measured hydrostatic pressure loss information for a pipe and / or other information. Obtaining measured hydrostatic pressure loss information may include one or more of accessing, acquiring, analyzing, determining, examining, generating, identifying, loading, locating, measuring, opening, receiving, retrieving, reviewing, selecting, storing, and / or otherwise obtaining the measured hydrostatic pressure loss information. The measured hydrostatic pressure loss component 102 may obtain measured hydrostatic pressure loss information from one or more locations. For example, the measured hydrostatic pressure loss component 102 may obtain measured hydrostatic pressure loss information from a storage location, such as the electronic storage 13, electronic storage of a device accessible via a network, and / or other locations. The measured hydrostatic pressure loss component 102 may obtain measured hydrostatic pressure loss information from one or more hardware components (e.g., a computing device, pressure sensors) and / or one or more software components (e.g., software running on a computing device). In some implementations, the measured hydrostatic pressure loss information may be obtained from one or more users. For example, a user may interact with a computing device to input the measured hydrostatic pressure loss information (e.g., upload the measured hydrostatic pressure loss information, specify the measured hydrostatic pressure loss).

[0038] The measured hydrostatic pressure loss information may define a measured hydrostatic pressure loss across a distance in the pipe. The measured hydrostatic pressure loss information may define the measured hydrostatic pressure loss across the distance in the pipe by characterizing, describing, identifying, quantifying, reflecting, and / or otherwise defining the measured hydrostatic pressure loss across the distance in the pipe. The measured hydrostatic pressure loss information may define a measured hydrostatic pressure loss across a distance in the pipe by including information that defines one or more content, qualities, attributes, features, and / or other aspects of the measured hydrostatic pressure loss across the distance in the pipe. For example, the measured hydrostatic pressure loss information may define a measured hydrostatic pressure loss across a distance in the pipe by including information that specifies values of the measured hydrostatic pressure loss across the distance in the pipe, and / or information that is used to determine the measured hydrostatic pressure loss across the distance in the pipe. Other types of measured hydrostatic pressure loss information are contemplated.

[0039] A hydrostatic pressure loss across a distance in a pipe may refer to a pressure drop across the distance in the pipe due to force of gravity on the fluid inside the pipe. A hydrostatic pressure loss across a distance in a pipe may refer to difference, loss, or drop in hydrostatic pressure across the distance in the pipe. A measured hydrostatic pressure loss across a distance in a pipe may refer to the difference, loss, or drop in hydrostatic pressure that is measured (indirectly, directly) across the distance in the pipe using one or more sensors (e.g., pressure sensors, pressure transducers). The hydrostatic pressure loss across the distance in the pipe may be measured by (1) taking the difference in pressure measurements at two end points to compute the total pressure difference across the distance, and (2) subtracting frictional pressure loss across the distance from the total pressure difference. The relationship between the total pressure difference across the distance (ΔPtotal,measured), the hydrostatic pressure loss across the distance (ΔPhyd,measured), and the frictional pressure loss across the distance (ΔPf) are given below. The frictional pressure loss across the distance may be measured and / or calculated / modeled using fluid dynamic relationships and operating characteristics of the pipe (e.g., the fluid inside the pipe, geometry of the pipe, and / or the conditions inside the pipe, such as flow velocity, viscosity of the fluid, density of the fluid, pipe size, pipe length, smoothness of the pipe, number and / or types of values and fittings along the pipe). Pressure difference / loss / drop may be measured and / or calculated for single-phase fluid flow and / or multi-phase fluid flow.Δ⁢Phyd,measured=Δ⁢Ptotal,measured-Δ⁢Pf

[0040] FIG. 3 illustrates an example wellbore 300. The wellbore 300 may include flow of fluid (in gas form, in liquid form, in gas and liquid form). The hydrostatic pressure loss across a distance in the wellbore 300 may be measured. For example, the hydrostatic pressure loss across a vertical distance h may be measured. The hydrostatic pressure loss across the vertical distance h may include the difference in pressure measured at locations P1 and P2, minus the frictional pressure loss across the distance h. For example, pressure at locations P1 and P2 may be measured using pressure sensors / transducers and the hydrostatic pressure loss across the vertical distance h may be calculated by computing the difference between the measured pressure values, and then subtracting the frictional pressure loss across the distance. While the wellbore 300 is shown as being symmetrical and vertical, this is merely as an example and is not meant to be limiting. Wellbores of other shapes, orientations, and dimensions are contemplated.

[0041] In some implementations, the frictional pressure loss calculation may involve distances larger than h, when the various inclinations and direction changes of the wellbore are considered. Measured Depth (MD) and Total Vertical Depth (TVD) may be reported in wellbore schematics and surveys. MD correlates to total wellbore tubing length and frictional length, TVD correlates to wellbore depth (h) and hydrostatic length. Use of other distances is contemplated.

[0042] In some implementations, the measured hydrostatic pressure loss across the distance in the pipe may be modeled. For example, the hydrostatic pressure loss across the distance in the pipe may be calculated from operating characteristics of the pipe (e.g., geometry of the pipe; pressure, temperature, and / or fluid composition / properties inside the pipe). The measured hydrostatic pressure loss that is modeled may be used in combination with actual measured hydrostatic pressure loss. For example, the measured hydrostatic pressure loss may be obtained as time series data. There may be gaps in the measured time series data, and modeling may be used to fill in the gaps in the measured time series data.

[0043] The theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss component 104 may be configured to obtain theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss information for the pipe and / or other information. Obtaining theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss information may include one or more of accessing, acquiring, analyzing, determining, examining, generating, identifying, loading, locating, measuring, opening, receiving, retrieving, reviewing, selecting, storing, and / or otherwise obtaining the theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss information. The theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss component 104 may obtain theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss information from one or more locations. For example, the theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss component 104 may obtain theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss information from a storage location, such as the electronic storage 13, electronic storage of a device accessible via a network, and / or other locations. The theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss component 104 may obtain theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss from one or more hardware components (e.g., a computing device) and / or one or more software components (e.g., software running on a computing device). In some implementations, the theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss information may be obtained from one or more users. For example, a user may interact with a computing device to input the theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss information (e.g., upload the theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss information, specify the theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss).

[0044] The theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss information may define a theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss across the distance in the pipe. The theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss information may define the theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss across the distance in the pipe by characterizing, describing, identifying, quantifying, reflecting, and / or otherwise defining the theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss across the distance in the pipe. The theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss information may define a theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss across a distance in the pipe by including information that defines one or more content, qualities, attributes, features, and / or other aspects of the theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss across the distance in the pipe. For example, the theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss information may define a theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss across a distance in the pipe by including information that specifies values of the theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss across the distance in the pipe, and / or information that is used to determine the theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss across the distance in the pipe. Other types of theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss information are contemplated.

[0045] A theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss across a distance in a pipe may refer to hydrostatic pressure loss across the distance in the pipe that is modeled / calculated without any sanding in the pipe. A theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss across a distance in a pipe may refer to hydrostatic pressure loss across the distance in the pipe that is modeled / calculated for a scenario in which no sanding events are occurring. The value of the hydrostatic pressure loss may be a function of the density of materials (e.g., fluid, sand) in the pipe and the distance. Equations to calculate the hydrostatic pressure loss for sanding (ΔPhyd,s) and non-sanding (ΔPhyd,ns) cases are provided below, with ρ representing the density of fluid and sand, f representing fraction of fluid and sand, and g representing gravitational acceleration. The density of fluid may be determined based on type / identity of fluid flowing in the pipe and / or based on measurement of fluid samples taken from the pipe. The value of hydrostatic pressure loss for the non-sanding case may be used as the theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss across the distance in the pipe.Non-Sanding⁢ Case: Δ⁢Phyd,ns=ρfluid·g·hSanding⁢ Case: Δ⁢Phyd,s=(ffluid⁢ρfluid+fsand⁢ρsand)·g·h

[0046] The sand density component 106 may be configured to obtain sand density information and / or other information. Obtaining sand density information may include one or more of accessing, acquiring, analyzing, determining, examining, generating, identifying, loading, locating, measuring, opening, receiving, retrieving, reviewing, selecting, storing, and / or otherwise obtaining the sand density information. The sand density component 106 may obtain sand density information from one or more locations. For example, the sand density component 106 may obtain sand density information from a storage location, such as the electronic storage 13, electronic storage of a device accessible via a network, and / or other locations. The sand density component 106 may obtain sand density information from one or more hardware components (e.g., a computing device) and / or one or more software components (e.g., software running on a computing device). In some implementations, the sand density information may be obtained from one or more users. For example, a user may interact with a computing device to input the sand density information (e.g., upload the sand density information, specify the sand density).

[0047] The sand density information may define a density of sand for the pipe. The sand density information may define the sand density for the pipe by characterizing, describing, identifying, quantifying, reflecting, and / or otherwise defining the sand density for the pipe. The sand density information may define a sand density for the pipe by including information that defines one or more content, qualities, attributes, features, and / or other aspects of the sand density for the pipe. For example, the sand density information may define a sand density for the pipe by including information that specifies values of the sand density for the pipe, and / or information that is used to determine the sand density for the pipe. Other types of sand density information are contemplated.

[0048] A sand density for a pipe may refer to density of sand in the pipe. Sand may refer to produced solids (e.g., solid particle / material), such as granular material composed of finely divided mineral particles, proppant, rock, clay, frac sand, drilling mud solids, perforation debris, and / or other inorganic material. Sand may refer to sand-like or solid particle / material released into the production stream. A sand density for a pipe may refer to density of sand that enters the pipe during a sanding event. For example, a sand density for a wellbore may refer to density of sand that enters the wellbore during a sanding event. A sand density for a pipe may be determined based on type / identify of sand / rock surrounding the pipe and / or based on measurement of sand samples taken from the pipe.

[0049] In some implementations, the sand density for the pipe may be fixed. For example, an average value of sand density may be used as the sand density for the pipe. In some implementations, the sand density for the pipe may be dynamic. For example, the sand density may be evaluated by equipment / hardware that collects samples of sand for further evaluation. Sand density may be updated from results of evaluations. As another example, changes in fluid velocity and / or phase may change the density of particles carried up the pipe.

[0050] The sanding indicator component 108 may be configured to determine a sanding indicator value. Determining a sanding indicator value include ascertaining, approximating, calculating, establishing, estimating, finding, identifying, obtaining, quantifying, selecting, setting, and / or otherwise determining the sanding indicator value. A sanding indicator value may refer to a value that indicates (e.g., reflects, corresponds to, characterizes) occurrence of a sanding event. A sanding indicator value may refer to a value that indicates that a sanding event is occurring and / or will occur in the pipe.

[0051] The sanding indicator value may be determined based on the measured hydrostatic pressure loss across the distance in the pipe (ΔPhyd,measured), the theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss across the distance in the pipe (ΔPhyd,ns), the density of sand for the pipe (ρsand), and / or other information. The sanding indicator value may be determined using the relationship between the total pressure difference across the distance (ΔPtotal), the hydrostatic pressure loss across the distance (ΔPhyd), and the frictional pressure loss across the distance (ΔPf) in sanding and non-sanding cases.Δ⁢Pf,s=Δ⁢Ptotal,s-Δ⁢Phyd,sΔ⁢Pf,ns=Δ⁢Ptotal,ns-Δ⁢Phyd,ns

[0052] The equations for frictional pressure loss may be combined by assuming that frictional pressure loss across the distance in the pipe (ΔPf) is same with and without sanding. The frictional pressure loss equations for sanding and non-sanding cases may be combined to provide an equation for the volume fraction of sand (fv,sand) in the pipe:fv,sand=Δ⁢Phyd,measured-Δ⁢Phyd,nsρsand·g·h-Δ⁢Phyd,ns

[0053] In some implementations, the volume fraction of sand (fv,sand) in the pipe may be converted into a mass fraction of sand (fm,sand) in the pipe using the fluid density (ρfluid) in the pipe. The fluid density in the pipe may be the average density of fluid in the pipe (e.g., average density of produced fluid). The fluid may include liquid(s), vapor(s), or some combination of liquid(s) and vapor(s):fm,sand=fv,sand·ρsandfv,sand·ρsand+(1-fv,sand)·ρfluid

[0054] In some implementations, the fraction of sand in the pipe may be used as the sanding indicator value. In some implementations, the fraction of sand in the pipe may be used to determine the sanding indicator value. For example, the sanding indicator value may be computed from the fraction of sand in the pipe. The sanding indicator value may reflect a fraction of sand in the pipe. The sanding indicator value may reflect a volume fraction of sand in the pipe. The sanding indicator value may reflect a mass fraction of sand in the pipe.

[0055] The sanding indicator value may include a single dimensionless parameter that may be used to monitor sanding events in a pipe. The sanding indicator value may indicator whether or not a sanding event is occurring in the pipe. The sanding indicator value may serve as a leading indicator of sanding events in the pipe. The sanding indicator value may capture the effects changes in pipe operating characteristics, such as temperature, pressure, material composition, and flow rate in the pipe. The non-dimensional parameter of sanding indicator value may enable standardization of pipe monitoring across wells, regardless of asset association or level of maturity. The sanding indicator values for different pipes (e.g., pipes with different operating characteristics, pipes in different locations, pipes in different reservoirs, pipes with different physical configuration, pipes with different fluids) may enable direct comparison of sanding events in different pipes.

[0056] In some implementations, the sanding indicator value may be determined as a parameter with one or more dimensions. For example, the sanding indicator value may be determined as a sand loading value (Csand). The sanding indicator value may reflect sand loading in the pipe. For example, the fraction of sand (volume fraction, mass fraction) may usually be a small value, and the fraction of the sand may be converted into sand loading (sand concentration) using the density of sand (ρsand). The sand loading value may be determined in one or more particular field units, such as lbs-sand / 1000 BBLs for liquid-dominated systems or lbs-sand / MMSCF for gas-dominated systems:Csand=fv,sand1-fv,sand·ρsandρsand=156⁢ lb / ft3·5615⁢ ft31000⁢ BBLs=8.759×105⁢ lb1000⁢ BBLsρsand=156⁢ lb / ft3·1×106⁢ ft3MMSCF=1.56×108⁢ lbMMSCF

[0057] Determination / use of other sanding indicator value is contemplated. In some implementations, the sanding indicator value may be determined using iterative calculation. The sanding indicator value may be initially determined by assuming that frictional pressure loss across the distance in the pipe is same with and without sanding. The calculation of the sanding indicator value may be started by assuming that frictional pressure loss in sanding and non-sanding cases are the same (ΔPf,s=ΔPf,ns). The fraction of sand that is calculated from assuming that frictional pressure loss in sanding and non-sanding cases are the same may be used in next iteration of sanding indicator value calculation. The fraction of sand calculated from assuming that frictional pressure loss in sanding and non-sanding cases are the same may be used to determine what the frictional pressure loss would have been with sanding. This frictional pressure loss may then be used to calculate new fraction of sand. The iterative calculation may loop between calculation of fraction of sand and frictional pressure loss until convergence has been reached.

[0058] For example, a value of the frictional pressure loss across the distance in the pipe with sanding may be determined based on the fraction of sand in the pipe reflected by the sanding indicator value and / or other information. A revised fraction of sand in the pipe may be determined based on the value of the frictional pressure loss across the distance in the pipe with sanding and / or other information. Determination of (1) the value of the frictional pressure loss across the distance in the pipe with sanding and (2) the revised fraction of sand in the pipe may be reiterated until convergence is reached with the revised fraction of sand in the pipe. One or more different criteria may be used to determine when convergence has been reached with the fraction of sand calculation. For example, the fraction of sand calculation may be deemed to have reached convergence when the field frictional pressure loss is equal to the calculated frictional pressure loss. The fraction of sand calculation may be deemed to have reached convergence when fraction of sand converges within a specified tolerance, such as within 1%, of the previously calculated fraction of sand. Use of other criteria to determine convergence of fraction of sand calculation is contemplated.

[0059] In some implementations, iterative calculation of the sanding indicator value may include viscosity adjustments. Overprediction of loading may occur if slurry frictional losses are neglected. To address this, one or more equations (e.g., Einstein equation, Batchelor equation, Krieger-Dougherty equation) may be used to calculate the bulk viscosity of solid suspensions and incorporate changes in friction and viscosity due to sand in the iterative calculation.

[0060] The amount of sand production in the pipe may be determined based on the converged fraction of sand in the pipe and / or other information. That is, the amount of sand in the pipe may be quantified once the converged fraction of sand in the pipe has been calculated.

[0061] The sand monitoring component 110 may be configured to facilitate sand monitoring for the pipe. Sand monitoring for a pipe may refer to monitoring of sanding events in the pipe. A sanding event in the pipe may refer to solid particles / materials, such as sand, proppant, rock, clay, and / or other inorganic materials, entering / traveling through the pipe. Sand monitoring for a pipe may refer to predicting, detecting, quantifying, and / or otherwise monitoring sanding events in the pipe. The sand monitoring for the pipe may be performed based on the sanding indicator value and / or other information. The sand monitoring for the pipe may be performed based on the sanding indicator value at a particular moment in time and / or at different moments in time. The sand monitoring for the pipe may be performed by using the sanding indicator value with other observations, such as readings from acoustic sand detector, evaluation of fluid samples, and / or outputs of sand sampling equipment.

[0062] For example, the sanding indicator value at a particular moment in time and / or at different moments in time (e.g., trend of sanding indicator value over time) may be used to determine whether and / or how much sand is currently entering / traveling through the pipe. The sanding indicator value at a particular moment in time and / or at different moments in time may be used to determine whether and / or how much sand has entered / traveled through the pipe in the past. The sanding indicator value at a particular moment in time and / or at different moments in time may be used to determine whether and / or how much sand will enter / travel through the pipe in the future.

[0063] In some implementations, the sanding indicator value may enable the sanding event in the pipe to be identified earlier than sanding event detection via an acoustic sand detector. That is, use of the sanding indicator value herein may enable sanding events in a pipe to be detected before they can be detected by an acoustic sand detector. The earlier detection of sanding events via the sanding indicator value may enable mitigative and / or remedial actions to be taken at the pipe (e.g., to prevent / reduce occurrence of sanding event, reduce amount of sand entering / traveling through the pipe, prevent / reduce damage to equipment in the pipe). The sanding indicator value may also be used to determine effectiveness of mitigative and / or remedial actions taken at the pipe. For example, the value of sanding indicator may be monitored to determine how much impact the mitigative and / or remedial actions had in preventing / reducing sanding events.

[0064] In some implementations, the sanding indicator value may be used to monitor other events at the pipe. For example, the sanding indicator value may be used to detect / predict entry of other types of materials in the pipe. For instance, a slug of water moving through the pipe may change the density of materials inside the pipe and be detected as a “sanding event.” Use of the sanding indicator value to monitor movement of other types of material through the pipe is contemplated.

[0065] The sand monitoring component 110 may facilitate the use of the sanding indicator value to perform sand monitoring for the pipe. The sand monitoring component 110 may facilitate the use of information relating to and / or determined from the sanding indicator value to perform sand monitoring for the pipe. For example, sand monitoring for the pipe may include (1) presenting the sanding indicator value on the display 14, (2) presenting information relating to and / or determined from the sanding indicator value on the display 14, (3) presenting results of sand monitoring for the pipe on the display 14, (4) providing information relating to and / or determined from the sanding indicator value to one or more sand monitoring processes, and / or (5) performing sand monitoring for the pipe using information relating to and / or determined from the sanding indicator value.

[0066] In some implementations, facilitation of the sand monitoring for the pipe based on the sanding indicator value may include reduction of flowrate in the pipe based on sanding event detection. Reducing the flowrate in the pipe may reduce the velocity with which material move through the pipe (e.g., the fluid velocity and its solids transport capacity along a wellbore). For example, reducing the flowrate in a wellbore may reduce the velocity with which sand and / or other solids may move through the wellbore. The flowrate in the wellbore may be modified via change in one or more operations at the wellbore, such as choking back the wellbore or increasing production pressure downstream of the wellbore. For instance, in a subsea production system, several wells may produce to a common manifold, with the commingled production flowing to a facility through an infield flowline and riser. In such a subsea production system, the flowrate in a wellbore may be reduced by controlling the pressure of the flowline and riser via a topside choke located above the waterline. In some implementations, the sanding producing well may need to be produced with other non-producing wells to prevent accumulation of sand in the subsea production system (e.g., jumpers, flowlines). Sand production well may need to be started up in a specific sequence if the well needs to flow with other wells via a common flowline.

[0067] In some implementations, facilitation of the sand monitoring for the pipe based on the sanding indicator value may include generation of one or more plots. The plot(s) may show changes in the plotted value over time. For example, one or more plots of sanding indicator value over time may be generated. A plot of sanding indicator value may show changes in the sanding indicator value for the pipe over time. A plot of sanding indicator value may show changes in the fraction of sand in the pipe over time. A plot of sanding indicator value may show when sanding events have occurred and / or will occur in the pipe. A plot of sanding indicator value may show how much sand is entering / traveling through the pipe at different times.

[0068] In some implementations, facilitation of the sand monitoring for the pipe based on the sanding indicator value may include identification of a sanding event in the pipe based on a change in the sanding indicator value and / or other information.

[0069] Identification of a sanding event may refer to detection of a sanding event currently occurring in the pipe. Identification of a sanding event may refer to prediction of a sanding event that will occur in the future in the pipe. A change in the sanding indicator value may refer to an increase and / or decrease in the sanding indicator value over time. A change in the sanding indicator value may refer to a rate of increase and / or decrease in the sanding indicator value over time. The amount by which the sanding indicator value increases and / or decreases may be used to identify a sanding event in the pipe. The rate of sanding indicator value increase and / or decrease may be used to identify a sanding event in the pipe.

[0070] For example, an intermittent sanding event in the pipe may be identified based on a spike in the sanding indicator value and / or other information. An intermittent sanding event may refer to a sanding event that is not occurring continuously or steadily in the pipe. An intermittent sanding event may refer to a short sanding event (e.g., a sanding event that starts and stops within a threshold duration of time). A spike in the sanding indicator value may refer to a momentary increase and decrease in the sanding indicator value. A spike in the sanding indicator value may refer to a change in the sanding indicator value that includes an increase (e.g., an increase over a threshold amount) and a decrease (e.g., a decrease over a threshold amount) within a certain duration of time. A spike in the sanding indicator value may refer to a fast increase and decrease in the sanding indicator value (e.g., rate of increase and decrease being greater than a threshold rate). A spike in the sanding indicator value may be used to identify when an intermittent sanding event has occurred in the pipe and / or predict that an intermittent sanding event will occur in the pipe in the future.

[0071] As another example, a persistent sanding event in the pipe may be identified based on a sustained increase in the sanding indicator value and / or other information. A persistent sanding event may refer to a sanding event that occurs continuously or steadily over a period of time in the pipe. A persistent sanding event may refer to a long sanding event (e.g., a sanding event that is maintained for longer than a threshold duration of time). A sustained increase in the sanding indicator value may refer to a continuous / prolonged increase in the sanding indicator value. A sustained increase in the sanding indicator value may refer to a change in the sanding indicator value that includes an increase that is maintained over a certain duration of time. A sustained increase in the sanding indicator value may be used to identify when a persistent sanding event has occurred in the pipe and / or predict that a persistent sanding event will occur in the pipe in the future. Other identification of sanding events using the sanding indicator value / change in the sanding indicator value is contemplated.

[0072] In some implementations, bias correction may be performed on the sanding indicator value. Bias correction may improve the sensitivity of detecting new sanding events or changes in persistent sanding events. For example, the sanding indicator value may indicate presence of sand when sanding is not occurring in the pipe. Bias correction may be performed to modify the sanding indicator value so that the bias-corrected sanding indicator value more accurately indicates sanding events in the pipe. In some implementations, bias in the sanding indicator value may be modified in time through adaptive numerical techniques, such as exponentially weighted averaging of sanding indicator values over specified durations of time. Use of other bias correction is contemplated.

[0073] FIG. 4 illustrates example intermittent sanding event detection. FIG. 4 includes an example plot 402 of a sanding indicator value (reflecting volume fraction of sand in the wellbore) and an example plot 404 of an acoustic sand detector readout. Sanding events may have occurred in a wellbore due to changes in the flowrate and / or after a restart event in the wellbore. For example, a flowrate change may have occurred between Days 0-1, and a restart may have been performed between Days 4-5. Intermittent sanding events for both the change in flowrate and restart may be identified using the sanding indicator value (e.g., spikes in the sanding indicator value). Intermittent sanding events may not be identified by the acoustic sand detector.

[0074] FIG. 5 illustrates example persistent sanding event detection. FIG. 5 includes an example plot 502 of a sanding indicator value (reflecting volume fraction of sand in the wellbore) and an example plot 504 of an acoustic sand detector readout. Persistent sanding events may have occurred in the wellbore, starting around Day 10. Persistent sanding event may be identified using the sanding indicator value (e.g., sustained increased in the sanding indicator value. The start and the duration of the persistent sanding event may be identified using the sanding indicator value. The acoustic sand detector may only identify some of the sanding that occurred during the persistent sanding event.

[0075] FIG. 6 illustrates example benefit of pipe sand monitoring using sand fraction over acoustic sand detector. FIG. 6 includes an example plot 600 of both a sanding indicator value (reflecting volume fraction of sand in a wellbore) and an acoustic sand detector readout. As shown in FIG. 6, use of the sanding indicator value enables (1) sanding events not identified by the acoustic sand detector to be identified, and (2) sanding events to be identified earlier than via use of the acoustic sand detector. In this example, use of the sanding indicator value may enable the sanding events to be identified about 1.5 hours before the acoustic sand detector. Thus, the sanding indicator value enables more accurate and earlier detection of sanding events in the pipe. The sanding indicator value may be used as a leading indicator of sanding events that will occur in the future.

[0076] Implementations of the disclosure may be made in hardware, firmware, software, or any suitable combination thereof. Aspects of the disclosure may be implemented as instructions stored on a machine-readable medium, which may be read and executed by one or more processors. A machine-readable medium may include any mechanism for storing or transmitting information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computing device). For example, a tangible computer-readable storage medium may include read-only memory, random access memory, magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash memory devices, and others, and a machine-readable transmission media may include forms of propagated signals, such as carrier waves, infrared signals, digital signals, and others. Firmware, software, routines, or instructions may be described herein in terms of specific exemplary aspects and implementations of the disclosure, and performing certain actions.

[0077] In some implementations, some or all of the functionalities attributed herein to the system 10 may be provided by external resources not included in the system 10. External resources may include hosts / sources of information, computing, and / or processing and / or other providers of information, computing, and / or processing outside of the system 10.

[0078] Although the processor 11, the electronic storage 13, and the display 14 are shown to be connected to the interface 12 in FIG. 1, any communication medium may be used to facilitate interaction between any components of the system 10. One or more components of the system 10 may communicate with each other through hard-wired communication, wireless communication, or both. For example, one or more components of the system 10 may communicate with each other through a network. For example, the processor 11 may wirelessly communicate with the electronic storage 13. By way of non-limiting example, wireless communication may include one or more of radio communication, Bluetooth communication, Wi-Fi communication, cellular communication, infrared communication, or other wireless communication. Other types of communications are contemplated by the present disclosure.

[0079] Although the processor 11, the electronic storage 13, and the display 14 are shown in FIG. 1 as single entities, this is for illustrative purposes only. One or more of the components of the system 10 may be contained within a single device or across multiple devices. For instance, the processor 11 may comprise a plurality of processing units. These processing units may be physically located within the same device, or the processor 11 may represent processing functionality of a plurality of devices operating in coordination. The processor 11 may be separate from and / or be part of one or more components of the system 10. The processor 11 may be configured to execute one or more components by software; hardware; firmware; some combination of software, hardware, and / or firmware; and / or other mechanisms for configuring processing capabilities on the processor 11.

[0080] It should be appreciated that although computer program components are illustrated in FIG. 1 as being co-located within a single processing unit, one or more of computer program components may be located remotely from the other computer program components. While computer program components are described as performing or being configured to perform operations, computer program components may comprise instructions which may program processor 11 and / or system 10 to perform the operation.

[0081] While computer program components are described herein as being implemented via processor 11 through machine-readable instructions 100, this is merely for ease of reference and is not meant to be limiting. In some implementations, one or more functions of computer program components described herein may be implemented via hardware (e.g., dedicated chip, field-programmable gate array) rather than software. One or more functions of computer program components described herein may be software-implemented, hardware-implemented, or software and hardware-implemented.

[0082] The description of the functionality provided by the different computer program components described herein is for illustrative purposes, and is not intended to be limiting, as any of computer program components may provide more or less functionality than is described. For example, one or more of computer program components may be eliminated, and some or all of its functionality may be provided by other computer program components. As another example, processor 11 may be configured to execute one or more additional computer program components that may perform some or all of the functionality attributed to one or more of computer program components described herein.

[0083] The electronic storage media of the electronic storage 13 may be provided integrally (i.e., substantially non-removable) with one or more components of the system 10 and / or as removable storage that is connectable to one or more components of the system 10 via, for example, a port (e.g., a USB port, a Firewire port, etc.) or a drive (e.g., a disk drive, etc.). The electronic storage 13 may include one or more of optically readable storage media (e.g., optical disks, etc.), magnetically readable storage media (e.g., magnetic tape, magnetic hard drive, floppy drive, etc.), electrical charge-based storage media (e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, RAM, etc.), solid-state storage media (e.g., flash drive, etc.), and / or other electronically readable storage media. The electronic storage 13 may be a separate component within the system 10, or the electronic storage 13 may be provided integrally with one or more other components of the system 10 (e.g., the processor 11). Although the electronic storage 13 is shown in FIG. 1 as a single entity, this is for illustrative purposes only. In some implementations, the electronic storage 13 may comprise a plurality of storage units. These storage units may be physically located within the same device, or the electronic storage 13 may represent storage functionality of a plurality of devices operating in coordination.

[0084] FIG. 2 illustrates method 200 for pipe sand monitoring. The operations of method 200 presented below are intended to be illustrative. In some implementations, method 200 may be accomplished with one or more additional operations not described, and / or without one or more of the operations discussed. In some implementations, two or more of the operations may occur substantially simultaneously.

[0085] In some implementations, method 200 may be implemented in one or more processing devices (e.g., a digital processor, an analog processor, a digital circuit designed to process information, a central processing unit, a graphics processing unit, a microcontroller, an analog circuit designed to process information, a state machine, and / or other mechanisms for electronically processing information). The one or more processing devices may include one or more devices executing some or all of the operations of method 200 in response to instructions stored electronically on one or more electronic storage media. The one or more processing devices may include one or more devices configured through hardware, firmware, and / or software to be specifically designed for execution of one or more of the operations of method 200.

[0086] Referring to FIG. 2 and method 200, at operation 202, measured hydrostatic pressure loss information for a pipe may be obtained. The measured hydrostatic pressure loss information may define a measured hydrostatic pressure loss across a distance in the pipe. In some implementations, operation 202 may be performed by a processor component the same as or similar to the measured hydrostatic pressure loss component 102 (Shown in FIG. 1 and described herein).

[0087] At operation 204, theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss information for the pipe may be obtained. The theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss information may define a theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss across the distance in the pipe. In some implementations, operation 204 may be performed by a processor component the same as or similar to the theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss component 104 (Shown in FIG. 1 and described herein).

[0088] At operation 206, sand density information may be obtained. The sand density information may define a density of sand for the pipe. In some implementations, operation 206 may be performed by a processor component the same as or similar to the sand density component 106 (Shown in FIG. 1 and described herein).

[0089] At operation 208, a sanding indicator value may be determined based on the measured hydrostatic pressure loss across the distance in the pipe, the theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss across the distance in the pipe, the density of sand for the pipe, and / or other information. In some implementations, operation 208 may be performed by a processor component the same as or similar to the sanding indicator component 108 (Shown in FIG. 1 and described herein).

[0090] At operation 210, sand monitoring for the pipe based on the sanding indicator value and / or other information may be facilitated. In some implementations, operation 210 may be performed by a processor component the same as or similar to the sand monitoring component 110 (Shown in FIG. 1 and described herein).

[0091] Although the system(s) and / or method(s) of this disclosure have been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred implementations, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the disclosure is not limited to the disclosed implementations, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present disclosure contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any implementation can be combined with one or more features of any other implementation.

Claims

1. A method for pipe sand monitoring, the method comprising:obtaining measured hydrostatic pressure loss information for a pipe, the measured hydrostatic pressure loss information defining a measured hydrostatic pressure loss across a distance in the pipe;obtaining theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss information for the pipe, the theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss information defining a theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss across the distance in the pipe;obtaining sand density information, the sand density information defining a density of sand for the pipe;determining a sanding indicator value based on the measured hydrostatic pressure loss across the distance in the pipe, the theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss across the distance in the pipe, and the density of sand for the pipe; andfacilitating sand monitoring for the pipe based on the sanding indicator value.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sanding indicator value reflects a fraction of sand in the pipe.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the sanding indicator value is initially determined by assuming that frictional pressure loss across the distance in the pipe is same with and without sanding.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein:a value of the frictional pressure loss across the distance in the pipe with sanding is determined based on the fraction of sand in the pipe reflected by the sanding indicator value;a revised fraction of sand in the pipe is determined based on the value of the frictional pressure loss across the distance in the pipe with sanding;determination of the value of the frictional pressure loss across the distance in the pipe with sanding and the revised fraction of sand in the pipe is reiterated until convergence is reached with the revised fraction of sand in the pipe; andan amount of sand production in the pipe is determined based on the converged fraction of sand in the pipe.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein facilitating the sand monitoring for the pipe based on the sanding indicator value includes identifying a sanding event in the pipe based on a change in the sanding indicator value.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein an intermittent sanding event in the pipe is identified based on a spike in the sanding indicator value.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein a persistent sanding event in the pipe is identified based on a sustained increase in the sanding indicator value.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the sanding indicator value enables the sanding event in the pipe to be identified earlier than sanding event detection via an acoustic sand detector.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein facilitating the sand monitoring for the pipe based on the sanding indicator value includes generating a plot of the sanding indicator value over time.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein facilitating the sand monitoring for the pipe based on the sanding indicator value includes reducing flowrate in the pipe based on sanding event detection.

11. A system for pipe sand monitoring, the system comprising:one or more physical processors configured by machine-readable instructions to:obtain measured hydrostatic pressure loss information for a pipe, the measured hydrostatic pressure loss information defining a measured hydrostatic pressure loss across a distance in the pipe;obtain theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss information for the pipe, the theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss information defining a theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss across the distance in the pipe;obtain sand density information, the sand density information defining a density of sand for the pipe;determine a sanding indicator value based on the measured hydrostatic pressure loss across the distance in the pipe, the theoretical hydrostatic pressure loss across the distance in the pipe, and the density of sand for the pipe; andfacilitate sand monitoring for the pipe based on the sanding indicator value.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the sanding indicator value reflects a fraction of sand in the pipe.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the sanding indicator value is initially determined by assuming that frictional pressure loss across the distance in the pipe is same with and without sanding.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein:a value of the frictional pressure loss across the distance in the pipe with sanding is determined based on the fraction of sand in the pipe reflected by the sanding indicator value;a revised fraction of sand in the pipe is determined based on the value of the frictional pressure loss across the distance in the pipe with sanding;determination of the value of the frictional pressure loss across the distance in the pipe with sanding and the revised fraction of sand in the pipe is reiterated until convergence is reached with the revised fraction of sand in the pipe; andan amount of sand production in the pipe is determined based on the converged fraction of sand in the pipe.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein facilitation of the sand monitoring for the pipe based on the sanding indicator value includes identification of a sanding event in the pipe based on a change in the sanding indicator value.

16. (canceled)17. (canceled)18. (canceled)19. (canceled)20. (canceled)

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