Evaluating the Success of a Chemical Sand Consolidation Operation in the Niger Delta

Abstract The challenges of sand production in oil and gas wells can never be overemphasized. Previous successes and failures of chemical sand control technology have led to further research to improve placement methods and enhance regain permeability of treated formations. Field operators are always looking for cost effective sand control technologies that will not only solve their production challenges but that would also leave minimal footprints in the overall performance of their wells after treatment. An idea sand control technology in this contest would therefore be able to bind the loose sand grains of the formation matrix together, produce high unconfined compressive strength, enhance formation regained permeability and improve near wettability for optimum production. This paper focuses on a marginal field candidate well in Niger Delta with a high sand production rate that has compelled the operator to reduce production rates below tolerance and eventually shut in the well. Several surface facilities have been damaged and changed out. To understand the cause of the sand production and proffer solution, several well parameters including bottom hole temperature and pressure, interval length, permeability, porosity, mineralogy, completions information and production history were gathered and thoroughly studied. Extensive laboratory and standing assessment were carried out by developing artificial cores using actual well formation materials. The main treatment system was externally catalyzed to solve the problem of pre-mature setting. Post flush treatment was engineered to improve wettability around the near wellbore region. Equipment and personnel were carefully selected to ensure minimal footprint requirements. The treatment was deployed via bull-heading and allowed to cure for 24hrs. The well was lifted to production with a sand free stable flowing tubing head pressure of greater than 1000Psi on 32/60" choke size. Objectives This paper presents the success of a sand consolidation of a candidate well in Niger Delta. Excessive sand production from the well had caused severe damage to surface facilities leading to frequent shut-in of the well and change out of production installations. Several measures have been taken by the field operator to manage production, including the traditional bean adjustments. However, none of the attempts could support the well to produce optimally. The objective of this paper is to focus on the cost-effective methodology deployed to stop the production of sand from the well and the value the technology has added to the operator’s marginal field production.