Design of A Sand Production Control System Using Particle Size Distribution Analysis in Two Oil Reservoirs in Southwestern Iran

Sand production is one of the serious challenges in the petroleum industries all around the world which could damage the productivity of wells. In this regard, laboratory methods are being conducted to control sand production before using sand controlling systems or conventional methods to control sand production in wells or reservoirs.  Particle size distribution (PSD) is essential to perform laboratory experiments needs. PSD is determined by screening and laser granulation analysis or wetting sieve device. In this paper, the PSD of sand particles from core samples in 18 wells has been analyzed. Selected wells and their PSD of cores represent a wide range of wells with sand production problems in two important oil reservoirs in southwestern Iran. The sand PSD in these samples has been analyzed statistically. Among the 18 samples discussed, 4 had moderately well-sorting, 5 moderately sorting, 7 poorly sorting, and 2 very poorly sorting. The average value of the uniformity coefficient of sand particles in the samples was equal to 2.568, indicating the uniformity of the analyzed sands. The 0.614 to 1.2495 mm was determined as a minimum and maximum size to estimate the size of the slot width for designing coupons of the sand retention teste (SRT)s apparatus. The results of this study can be used in the design and selection of sand production control devices.