Posted in | News | Microscopy

Novel Effective Method to Evaluate Changes in Sand Control Screens

The Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has developed a new, more efficient approach for assessing alterations in sand control screens used in oil and gas production wells. The novel evaluation method, which is being broadened to evaluate other equipment in erosive situations, offers a more thorough perspective of where erosion occurs during accelerated life erosion testing on sand control screens.

Microscopy methods. Image Credit: Southwest Research Institute

Sand screens in oil and gas production wells permit the production of fluids while keeping formation and fracturing sand in the reservoir. Fine formation sands, smaller than the screen gaps, travel through the screens on a regular basis, producing screen erosion and, finally, screen failure.

Sand produced in a well with oil and gas can erode the equipment from the reservoir to the surface, resulting in expensive production halts and well workovers to replace the damaged equipment.

Measuring erosion in sand screens is challenging because current industry methods provide a single point value describing the erosion that actually occurs differently in various regions. The industry currently uses two methods that provide inconsistent results. Those methods identify only the largest gap that results from erosive flow through a sand screen, whereas our method identifies each gap.

Jessica Brysch, Assistant Program Manager, Fluids Engineering Department, Southwest Research Institute

SwRI’s method graphically depicts the erosion in the sand screens so that a fuller picture of the erosion may be comprehended. The process entails using microscopic imaging equipment to examine both the screen and base pipe layers to map the material eliminated on both the screen and base pipe layers.

Our method utilizes novel microscopy. We have developed a novel visual method that offers spatial understanding of where erosion is happening. Our method allows us to see a map indicating the magnitude and location of erosion experienced across both the screen and base pipe layers.

Luis Gutierrez, Research Engineer, Fluids Engineering Department, Southwest Research Institute

Researchers utilized internal funds to create and test the new test technique. The SwRI erosion model graphically describes sand screen erosion, offering a much fuller representation of erosion impacts. This erosion visualization method has also been used for various types of equipment in hostile locations in order to measure erosion.

Using our technique, the industry could more accurately predict the life of equipment under specific well conditions, rather than waiting for them to fail. Considering sand screens are the primary defense against sand production, and are incredibly costly to repair, that’s a considerable advantage.

Jessica Brysch, Assistant Program Manager, Fluids Engineering Department, Southwest Research Institute

Tell Us What You Think

Do you have a review, update or anything you would like to add to this news story?

Leave your feedback
Your comment type
Submit

While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided.

Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles.

Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Read the full Terms & Conditions.