Abstract

To visually describe the sanding pattern, this study constructs a new particle-scale microstructure model of weakly consolidated formation, and develop the corresponding methodology to simulate the sanding process and predict sand cavity shape. The microstructure model is a particle-objective model, which focuses on the random sedimentation of every sand grain. In the microstructure, every particle has its own size, sphericity and inclination angle. It is used to simulate the actual structure of cemented granular materials, which considers the heterogeneity and randomness of reservoir properties, provides the initial status for subsequent sanding simulation. With the particle detachment criteria, the microscopic simulation of sanding can be visually implemented to investigate the pattern and cavity shapes caused by sand production. The results indicate that sanding always starts initially from the borehole border, and then extends along the weakly consolidated plane, showing obvious characteristic of randomness. Three typical microscopic sanding patterns, concerning pore liquefaction, pseudo wormhole and continuous collapse, are proposed to illustrate the sanding mechanism in weakly consolidated reservoirs. The nonuniformity of sanding performance depends on the heterogeneous distribution of reservoir properties, such as rock strength and particle size. Finally, the three sanding patterns are verified by visually experimental work. The proposed integrated methodology is capable of predicting and describing the sanding cavity shape of an oil well after long-term sanding production, and providing the focus objective of future sand control measure.