Publications

This publication addresses risk analysis and the potential of sand induced tubing erosion in gas production wells due to high rate gas wells combined with excessive water and sand production. As gas wells become more mature, it is inevitable that water will be produced not only from vapour but also from aquifer. This presents a problem, especially in the unconsolidated wells where sands will be massively produced. Therefore, this publication addresses the potential of tubular damage from sand production in gas wells. The authors have analysed two published case studies using the approach of corrosion and erosion modelling, as well as tubing stress analysis to ensure long term tubing integrity. The calculations show that tubing design will be heavily affected by the sand prediction, especially for older tubing with thinner layer and possibility of deformation. Therefore, it is imperative to propose a more conservative tubing design especially in sour wells with excessive water production and where there is the possibility of sand production. It is also worth noting that as wells become older, with rising water saturation also comes the possibility of higher sand production due to the effects of shear stress. This publication should become an incentive for operators to conduct a more thorough completion examination for tubular integrity design in high rate gas wells especially ones with excessive sand production. This publication addresses a new approach in designing tubular goods for natural gas wells with the tendency of excessive sand production due to development of water saturation in mature gas wells.