Developing an Integrated Sand Management Strategy for Kinabalu Field, Offshore Malaysia

Abstract

The Kinabalu oilfield is currently producing 14,000 bopd from a peak of 40,000 bopd in 1998. Present field rejuvenation plans include drilling and completing new infill and development wells from both an existing and a new platform. Most platform wells are currently producing sand and none have been completed with sand control. Sand production has caused erosion issues and lost production due to the need for regular separator clean outs, and is a key risk factor for both existing well integrity and new well completion design. A multi-disciplinary team was tasked with determining the causes of sand production, and to develop a fit for purpose sand management strategy for this mature, brownfield redevelopment. A coupled geomechanical/sand failure model was employed to assess sand failure, and to evaluate alternatives to sand exclusion completions. The model was calibrated using existing well sand production data, then run for the proposed new wells to assess the potential for sand production over the remaining field life. The model confirmed that sand production is closely linked to reservoir depth, completion type, well inclination and, most importantly, depletion level. An objective screening process was developed to rank sand control options. This considers existing and proposed well completion architecture, facilities design/limitations, and recognises inherent data uncertainties. The systematic sand management methodology allows a consistent, objective and transparent view of benefits and risks across the different system aspects. Key selection criteria were utilised rather than arbitrary decisions based on limited and often unaudited data. The process ensured a best practice, fit for purpose, and structured sand management solution. In light of the currently low levels of sand production and the challenges associated with remedial or retro-fitting sand control, optimised surface sand management will continue to be the preferred solution for all existing wells. Predicted sand production in most new wells is manageable. Some wells targeting shallower or weaker sands would normally be sand control candidates, but re-thinking the completion design, optimising surface sand management procedures, managing drawdown and BHFP levels, and taking advantage of favourable stress vectors through oriented perforation can extend the sand free well operating envelopes over life of well production and depletion conditions, reducing or deferring the need for sand control in all but the highest sanding risk reservoirs.

Artificial Intelligence Method for Shear Wave Travel Time Prediction considering Reservoir Geological Continuity

“…Consequently, the availability of sonic logs is very essential for the development and production phases of hydrocarbon recovery. In sand production management, according to the acoustic travel time, density, and other logging data to predict the sand production index of a single well [3,4] and the multiwell data to predict the regional sand production distribution can guide the macro decision-making of sand production and sand control of the whole block in weakly consolidated sandstone reservoir [5].…”