Application of reservoir strength characterization and formation failure modeling to analyze sand production potential and formulate sand control strategies for a series of North Sea gas reservoirs

A sand control study was conducted for a series of North Sea gas reservoirs. The purpose of the study was to analyze the formation's sand production potential, formulate a sand control strategy and optimize field operations. This paper discusses field data and documents the methodology used to characterize formation strength from core measurements, conduct formation failure modeling and history match model results with field sand production data. The study was conducted on the Rotliegendes sandstone formation. However, the methodology presented can be applied to any sandstone reservoir requiring formation failure analysis. The methodology is comprised of: Formation Strength Characterization Measurement of Formation Compressive Strength Correlation of Strength with Petrophysical Data Triaxial Testing Formation Stress Characterization Formation Failure Analysis Formation Failure Modeling History Matching Model Output to Field Failure Data Development of Sand Control Strategies Each of these subjects will be discussed with field data presented to support the discussion and subsequent conclusions/recommendations.