A Holistic Approach to Understanding the Impact and Cause of Fines Production
David Underdown
Chevron Energy Technology Company
Abstract:
There is a need to take a closer look at one aspect of sand control commonly recognized, but seldom addressed; formation fines. How many times are good sand control methods placed in wells only to have the wells make “sand” which really turns out to be “fines”. Several major operating companies are now starting to notice many wells are showing increasing skins over time. Many factors can contribute to Increasing skin over time; however, one of the most often cited causes is formation fines migrating into and becoming trapped in the near wellbore reservoir matrix and/or gravel pack or frac pack. If fines are a major factor, what are the sources of the fines? What factors contribute to the generation of the fines? What kind and how much fines are generated? What controls the production of the fines? What is the impact of any fines on production and downhole equipment? What is the relative importance of these factors? If fines can/do move, it is possible to address potential problems by changing the sand control method, production/injection strategy; i.e., Flux Management, or wellbore architecture to minimize the impact of fines production. Chemical treatment of the near wellbore area is also possible. The presentation discusses a methodical approach to evaluating the potential for fines production, ways to address the issues, and to appraise the overall impact on the life cycle of the well. Case histories are presented to illustrate the impact of fines on production and how it is possible to address problems related to the movement of formation fines.
Biography:
David Underdown is a Research Consultant with Chevron Energy Technology Company in Houston. He holds a PHD in physical chemistry, and has worked in the area sand control and formation damage for over 40 years for Getty Oil Company, Baker Sand Control, ARCO and now Chevron. He is past Chairman of the API Task Force on perforating, Chairman of one of SPE’s Award committees, Chairman of a SPE paper review committee, editor of the SPE Monographs on sand control and completion fluids. He has multiple papers and patents.