Weak Sandstone Sanding Control Using Plastic Zone Volume

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Solution Overview

Problem

Weak sandstone reservoirs are prone to sand production, which reduces production rates, causes equipment erosion, and requires mechanical or chemical methods that can adversely affect permeability.

Innovation Solution

A method involving in situ data acquisition, chemical consolidation treatment simulation, and hydromechanical elastoplastic simulation to generate flow rate-plastic zone volume curves for managing sand production risk, using a simulator to adjust well flow rates based on chemical consolidation treatment effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If chemical consolidation treatment is applied to prevent sand production, then sand control effectiveness is improved, but permeability of the treated sandstone decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesand control effectivenessVSAvoidpermeability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying resin concentration, injection pressure, and treatment depth to optimize the balance between sand control effectiveness and permeability retention. Different chemical parameters are adjusted to achieve the desired consolidation strength while minimizing permeability loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial action by treating only the critical near-wellbore zone rather than the entire formation. This selective treatment approach consolidates sand in the most problematic areas while leaving other regions untreated, thereby preserving overall formation permeability and production capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Reliability

If mechanical sand control methods (liners, sand screens, gravel packs) are used, then sand production is prevented, but production rates are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesand control effectivenessVSAvoidproduction rate

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical sand control systems (liners, screens, gravel packs) with a chemical consolidation method. By injecting resin materials that bind sand grains together, the formation is stabilized chemically rather than mechanically, eliminating the need for flow-restricting mechanical barriers and thereby maintaining higher production rates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If production rate is increased to maximize output, then productivity is improved, but sand production increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction rateVSAvoidsand control effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing chemical consolidation treatment before initiating or increasing production. The resin is injected and allowed to consolidate the sand grains in advance, creating a stabilized formation structure that can withstand higher production rates without sand production issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Effectively manages sand production risk by optimizing production rates and reducing plastic zone volume, enhancing production efficiency while minimizing permeability reduction.

Implementation Method 1

Chemical control methods involve injecting resins into the formation to consolidate the sand grains. However, in addition to enhancing the mechanical strength of the formation, chemical consolidation treatment may introduce a disadvantageous effect.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical consolidation: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

Using the simulator, a first simulation with chemical consolidation treatment and a second simulation without chemical consolidation treatment are performed. Based on the first and second simulations, a correlation between a well flow rate and an effect of the chemical consolidation treatment is determined.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12540886B2Method for managing sanding volume expectation in weak sandstone based on plastic zone volume

Publication Date: 2026.02.03 ARAMCO SERVICES CO

AI summary

Described is a method for managing an expectation on sanding volume in weak sandstone. In situ data related to a region of sandstone proximate a well is acquired. Measured property data corresponding to samples from the region of sandstone are obtained, and a chemical consolidation treatment is performed on the samples. Chemical consolidation treatment data is then obtained. The measured property data and the chemical consolidation treatment data is supplied as inputs to a simulator. The simulator performs simulations with and without chemical consolidation treatment. Based on the simulations, a correlation between a well flow rate and an effect of the chemical consolidation treatment is determined.