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Journal of Australian Energy Producers
 

Concurrent 22. Oral Presentation for: Sanding evaluation and real-time sand management decisions in high-rate gas wells, Ichthys Field, Browse Basin Australia

Ahmadreza Younessi A *
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A Baker Hughes, Perth, WA, Australia.


The APPEA Journal 63 - https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ22375
Published: 2 June 2023

Abstract

Presented on Wednesday 17 May: Session 22

This paper demonstrates the workflow of an integrated petrophysical, geomechanical sanding assessment and cement bond log evaluation to define a simple cut-off for reliable sand production assessments and well completion decisions. This workflow provides valuable insights for timely and fit-for-purpose sand management strategies particularly at early field life where the commonly used sanding prediction methodologies cannot be calibrated with field data because of the lack of sanding observations. The successful application of this methodology is shown in the Ichthys gas field, Browse Basin, with high rate and long high-angle producers with subsea wellheads and a long pipeline to an onshore plant. Advanced geomechanical analysis combing analytical and numerical sanding methodologies are used to define a single property cut-off for well-life sand-free production. The availability of such a simple cut-off has assisted the well construction engineers to follow a quick, cost-effective, simplified but thorough approach for sand production assessment and completion selection as opposed to being empirical, or too time consuming. The field first came on stream in July 2018. The workflow has been used in development wells and its validity and sand control decisions are confirmed, as to date all wells are producing sand-free. A similar workflow is being developed for the secondary target at some 400–500 m deeper for the subsequent phases of field development.

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Keywords: Brewster Formation, depletion, geomechanics, Ichthys Field, real-time decision, rock strength, sanding evaluation, sand control.

Ahmadreza Younessi holds a BScin Mining (2004), MSc in Rock Mechanics (2006) from Amir Kabir University, and PhD in Petroleum Engineering (2012) from Curtin University. He has worked as a Geomechanics Consultant since 2006. He joined Baker Hughes Geomechanics Team in 2012. Since then, he has been involved in numerous projects including 1D and 3D geomechanical modelling, wellbore stability analysis, near-real-time analysis, sand production prediction, sanding rate quantification, compaction and subsidence analysis, 4D geomechanical modelling and fault reactivation analysis mainly in Asia-Pacific region. He is the Regional Advisor in 3D/4D geomechanical modelling applications. He also actively contributes to technology and software development. He has more than 20 publications in peer- reviewed journals, SPE papers and conference presentations. He has served on technical committees in several SPE conferences and technical workshops.