SPE 68134

A New Concept to Predict Sand Production from Extended Reach and Horizontal Wells
Abdel-Alim H. El-Sayed* and Ali A. Alsughayer*, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia , *SPE member

Copyright 2001, Society of Petroleum Engineers Inc.

values and directions of in-situ stresses. Also, the
This paper was prepared for presentation at the 2001 SPE Middle East Oil Show held in
Bahrain, 17–20 March 2001. equations can be applied easily in any area.
This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE Program Committee following review of
information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper, as
presented, have not been reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to
Introduction
correction by the author(s). The material, as presented, does not necessarily reflect any
position of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, its officers, or members. Papers presented at
The benefits that come from drilling horizontal and
SPE meetings are subject to publication review by Editorial Committees of the Society of
Petroleum Engineers. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of any part of this paper
extended reach wells such as achieving high flow
for commercial purposes without the written consent of the Society of Petroleum Engineers is
prohibited. Permission to reproduce in print is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300
rates and reducing gas and water coning in thin
words; illustrations may not be copied. The abstract must contain conspicuous
acknowledgment of where and by whom the paper was presented. Write Librarian, SPE, P.O.
reservoirs have been well documented. Horizontal
Box 833836, Richardson, TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 01-972-952-9435. and extended reach wells have been applied through
the oil and gas industry to enhance project
Abstract economics and develop reservoirs that would
The technology of extended reach and horizontal otherwise not be commercial. These wells have
wells has recently progressed significantly. These also been applied in high productivity reservoirs for
wells have very few cost effective choices like the purpose of reducing gas and/or water coning,
slotted liners and openhole completion methods. thereby improving drainage efficiency and ultimate
Hole instability and sand production are the main recovery [1].
problems of these completion techniques. To
predict sand production an elastic plastic spherical The completion technology for horizontal
cavity or cylindrical symmetry is assumed. Also, and extended reach wells presents numerous design
Mohr-Coulomb criterion is proposed for bore hole possibilities. The simplest and least expensive
failure solution. These methods have limited method is completing the well as open hole or using
applications and need actual cores to measure shear slotted liner. The majority of the wells are being
failure properties of rocks. completed using these design methods. However
these techniques are usually facing sand production
This paper introduces developed equations when excessive drawdown is applied [1].
to predict sand production from extended reach and
horizontal wells. A combination of Mohr Coulomb Many methods and theories have been
criterion and Von Mises criterion for cylindrical suggested to predict sand production from vertical
symmetry is developed and proposed to determine wells [2]. These methods are based either on Mohr-
the hole instability and sand production. These Coulomb failure theory or Drucker-Pager theory.
equations allow calculating the sand free production These two models are based on consideration of the
rate for extended reach and horizontal wells intact rock compressive strength, draw down and in-
depending on the uniaxial compressive strength of situ stresses [2]. Another model given by Morita et
the rock. They also allow evaluating the effect of al. [3,4] is based on either compressive failure,
inclination angle, azimuth angle, well length and induced by combination of in-situ stresses and draw
down, induced by near cavity pore pressure
2 ABDEL-ALIM H. EL-SAYED AND ALI A. ALSUGHAYED SPE 68134

gradient. Experimental results on horizontal

wellbore stability [4] shows that rock failure leads
to a gradual hole fill up with loose sands. However,
general theory to predict sand production from
horizontal and extended reach wells is scares in the
literature.
This paper presents a combination of Mohr-
Coulomb theory and Von-Mises theory to be
applied on a cylindrical hole of horizontal and
extended reach wells to predict sand production. In-
situ stresses, inclination angle and azimuth angle of
the well as well as the rock properties are included
in the model.
J1 = 1 (σ 1 + σ 2 + σ 3 )……………………(3)
3
Where J2 represents the second deviatoric stress
invariant and J1 expresses the mean normal stress
invariant. Combing these two theories results in the
following:
1
J 2 2 = α + J1. tan β ………………………(4)
Where α and β are material constants and given by:
[5]

Theoretical Background
From rock mechanics point of view Mohr-Coulomb 3.C
failure criteria depends on the cohesion of the α= 1
………………………(5)
material and the coefficient of friction. This criteria (9 + 12. tan φ ) 2
2

is defined by:

τ f = τ o + σ tan φ ……………………………(1)
3. tan φ
tan β = 1
………………… (6)
(9 + 12. tan φ )
2 2

When a rock is loaded beyond its elastic limit, it

deforms. If the yielded rock has a residual strength
and supported by a confining pressure, it will Where C and φ are the cohesion and the internal
remain in place and a zone of yielded rock will be
friction angle of the formation.
formed around the well bore. Otherwise it will drop
into the well bore and part of it will remain in the
bottom of the well, requiring a cleaning process to
Stresses Around Wellbore
be done or produced with the hydrocarbons.
Underground formations are always under some
stresses mostly due to overburden pressure, Fig. 1.
Von Mises theory depends on the principal
These stresses are denoted by vertical stress (σv ),
stresses applied on the rock. It is expressed as:
minimum horizontal stress (σhmin) and maximum
horizontal stress (σhmax). The transpose of in-situ
stresses relative to a Cartesian coordinate system
J2 = [
6 1 2 2 3 3 1 ]
1 (σ − σ ) 2 + (σ − σ ) 2 + (σ − σ ) 2 …(2) with one of its axes parallel to the wellbore is given
by the Kirsch’s equations with the assumption that
the model is linear elastic and isotropic rock
properties.

and σ x = (σ h max . cos 2 a + σ h min .sin 2 a). cos 2 i + σ v .sin 2 i

………… (7)
SPE 68134 A NEW CONCEPT TO PREDICT SAND PRODUCTION FROM EXTENDED REACH AND HORIZONTAL WELLS 3

σ 1 = σ r = Pw …………………………………(18)
σ y = (σ h max .sin 2 a + σ h min . cos 2 a).sin 2 i ……(8)

1 1
σ z = (σ h max . cos 2 a + σ h min .sin 2 a).sin 2 i + σ v . cos 2 i σ2 = (σ θ + σ zz ) − . (σ θ − σ zz ) 2 + 4.τ θz …(19)
2 2
…………………………………………………(9)
1 1
σ3 = (σ θ + σ zz ) + . (σ θ − σ zz ) 2 + 4.τ θz …(20)
1 2 2
τ xy = .(σ h max − σ h min ).sin 2a.sin i …………(10)
2 For porous and permeable rocks, the effect
of pore pressure is considered by applying Biot’s
theory to calculate the effective stresses applied on
1
τ xz = .(σ h max . cos 2 a + σ h min . sin − σ v ).sin 2i …(11) the rock. Solving the previous equations the
2 wellbore pressure and the maximum drawdown can
be obtained at any state of underground stresses as
1 well as rock cohesion and adhesion constants.
τ zy = .(σ h max − σ h min ).sin 2a. cos i …………(12)
2

For a wellbore, cylindrical coordinates have Critical Production Rate

to be used for calculations. Therefore, the stresses The production rate from horizontal and extended
in Cartesian coordinates have to be transferred to reach wells is given by:
cylindrical coordinates using the following
equations:

7.08 x10 −3 kh.( Pf − Pw )

σ r = Pw ………………………………………(13) Q= …………………(21)
re
µo .β o .(ln( ) + S g )
rw
σ θ = (σ x − σ y − Pw ) − 2.(σ x − σ y ). cos 2θ
4rw h Lh 2δ γ
− 4.τ xy . sin 2θ …………………………………(14) S g = ln( )+ ( . )…………(22)
Lδγ γL 4rw 1 + 1
σ zz = σ x − 2.µ .(σ x − σ y ). cos 2.θ − 4.τ xy . sin 2.θ γ
………………………………………………… (15) kh
δ = …………………………………… (23)
kv
1
γ = cos 2 i + .sin 2 i ……………………(24)
τ rθ = τ rz = 0…………………………………(16) δ 2

By selecting the drainage area of the well

τ θz = 2( −τ xy . sin θ + τ yx . cos θ ) ……………… (17 )
The principle stresses used in Mohr-Coulomb
theory and Von Mises theory are given by:
and taking the length of the well equals 1.8 the
drainage radius, and applying the pressure
drawdown calculated in the previous part, the sand
free production rate can be calculated for any
horizontal or extended reach well.
4 ABDEL-ALIM H. EL-SAYED AND ALI A. ALSUGHAYED SPE 68134

Results and Discussions The effect of azimuth angle is shown in Figs

Table 1 shows the in situ data and well and 6 and 7. Figure 6 plots the minimum applied
reservoir properties used for calculation. The in situ bottom hole pressure before sand production for
stresses are for a tectonically relaxed area with both horizontal and extended reach wells. It shows
normal pore pressure. The well is drilled in a 40- that orienting the wells in N45E or N135E direction
acre area of 50 ft. pay zone thickness. The absolute will achieve highest minimum bottom hole pressure
permeability is 200 md. The rock has isotropic for both horizontal and extended reach wells. Hard
properties and equal horizontal and vertical rock enables lower bottom hole pressure than soft
permeability. rock for sand free bottom hole pressure, Fig. 7.
Also, orienting the well in N45E or N135E is the
Fig. 2 shows how the minimum bottom hole best direction for both hard and soft rock.
pressure changes with hoop well angle (θ) for
horizontal and extended reach wells. Horizontal Conclusions
well is a well with 90º-inclination angle. However, Based on the results obtained for normally stressed
extended reach well has 75º inclinations. The figure rock the following conclusions are obtained:
shows that the minimum wellbore pressure to be
applied can be utilized when the hoop well angle 1. Combining Von Mises criterion and
equals 90º for both types of wells. This means that Mohr Coulomb criterion enables real
the critical hoop well angle equals to 90º for both calculations for bottom hole pressure and
types of wells. This means that the critical hoop maximum sand free production rate.
well angle is 90º where the maximum stresses are 2. Orienting horizontal and extended reach
concentrated on the well surface. wells in the direction of N45E or N135E
enables lowest bottom hole pressure and
Fig 3 gives the maximum production rate maximum sand free production rate.
from the well relative to the hoop well angle. It also 3. Inclination angle higher than 60º has
shows that the maximum production rate can be small effect on both bottom hole
utilized when the hoop well angle is 90º. The pressure and maximum sand free
negative sign means reverse direction of flow that production rate.
will be injection instead of production. 4. Hard rock enables lower bottom hole
pressure higher sand free production rate
The effect of inclination angel on minimum than soft rock.
bottom hole pressure is shown in Fig. 4. The hoop
angle is taken as 90º while the azimuth is
considered as 45º. Two types of rocks are shown in Nomenclatures
the figure; hard and soft. It shows that increasing
the inclination angle allows lower bottom hole a = azimuth angle
pressure to be applied on the wall of the well. Hard h = reservoir thickness, ft
rock enables lower bottom hole pressure than soft J1 = deviatoric mean stress, psi/ft
rock. Inclination angle between 0 and 60º has J2 = deviatoric stress invariant, psi/ft
higher effect than inclination angle between 60º and i = inclination angle
90º. This means that inclination angle higher than k = absolute permeability, md
60º has a very little effect on the bottom hole kh = horizontal permeability, md
pressure. Figure 5 shows the effect on maximum kv = vertical permeability, md
production rate for both hard and soft rock. Similar Po = reservoir pressure gradient, psi/ft
effect to the bottom hole pressure can be seen in the Pw = wellbore pressure gradient, psi/ft
figure. Q = production rate, bbl/day/ft
re = drainage radius, ft
SPE 68134 A NEW CONCEPT TO PREDICT SAND PRODUCTION FROM EXTENDED REACH AND HORIZONTAL WELLS
rw = well radius, ft
C = cohesion strength of rock, psi/ft
L = well length, ft
α, β = material constants
δ = factor
σv = vertical stress gradient, psi/ft
σhmin = minimum horizontal stress gradient, psi/ft
σhmax = maximum horizontal stress gradient, psi/ft
σr = radial stress gradient, psi/ft
σθ = tangential stress gradient, psi/ft
σz = axial stress gradient, psi/ft
σ1 = principal stress gradient in 1 direction,
psi/ft
σ2 = principle stress gradient in 2 direction,
psi/ft
σ3 = principle stress gradient in 3 direction,
psi/ft
τxy = shear stress gradient in xy plane, psi/ft
τxz = shear stress gradient in xz plane, psi/ft
τyz = shear stress gradient in yz plane, psi/ft
τrθ = shear stress gradient in rθ plane, psi/ft
τθz = shear stress gradient in θz plane, psi/ft
τrz = shear stress gradient in rz plane, psi/ft
φ = internal friction angle
References
[1] El-Sayed, A.A.H.: “Maximum Allowable
Production Rate from Openhole Horizontal
Wells,” SPE paper No. 21383 presented at
the SPE Middle East Oil Show held in
Bahrain, 16-19 Nov. 1991, pp. 395-405.
[2] Kooijman, A.P.; Van der Hoek, P.J.; der
Bree, Ph.; Kenter, C.J Zheng, B.V.Z. and
Khodaverdian, M.: “Horizontal Wellbore
Stability and Sand Production in Weakly
Consolidated Sandstones,” SPE paper No.
36419 presented at the SPE Annual
Technical Conference and Exhibition held in
Denver, Colorado, USA, 6-9 October, 1996,
pp.35-48.
[3] Van der Hoek, P.J.; Hertogh, G.M.M.;
Kooijman, A.P.; der Bree, Ph.; kenter, C.J.
and Papamichos, E.: “ A New Concept of
5
Sand Production Prediction: Theory and
Experiments,” SPE paper No. 36418
presented at the SPE Annual Technical
Conference and Exhibition held in Denver,
Colorado, USA, 6-9 October, 1996, pp.19-
33.
[4] Morita, N.; Whitfill, D.L.; Massie, I. And
Knudsen, T.W.: “ Realistic Sand production
Prediction: Numerical Approach,” SPE
Production Engineering, Feb. 1989, pp. 15-
24.
[5] Morita, N.; Whitfill, D.L.; Massie, I. And
Knudsen, T.W.: “Parametric Study of Sand
Production Prediction: Analytical
Approach,” SPE Production Engineering,
Feb. 1989, pp. 25-34.
[6] Al-Awad, M.N.J.: “Investigation of Factors
Affecting the Stability of Horizontal Oil and
Gas Wells,” Aramco SPE Symposium held
in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, 1996, pp. 79-87.
[7] Budiningsih, Y.; Hareland, G.:
Boonyappaluk, P. and Gue, B.: “Correct
Production Rates Eliminates Sand
Production in Directional Wells,” SPE paper
No. 29291 presented at the Asian Pacific Oil
and Gas Conference held in Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia, November 22-24, 1995, pp. 377-
384.
[8] Fuh, G.F. and Loose, P.K.: “Horizontal
Wellbore Stability for Openhole
Completions,” SPE 10717 presented at the
64th Annual Technical Conference of the
Society of Petroleum Engineers held in San
Antonio, TX, October 8-11, 1989, pp. 155-
163.
6 ABDEL-ALIM H. EL-SAYED AND ALI A. ALSUGHAYED SPE 68134

Table 1. In situ data and well and reservoir properties

Property Value
σhmax , psi/ft 0.85
σhmin , psi/ft 0.75
σv , psi/ft 1.0
Pf , psi/ft 0.465
µ (Poisson’s ratio) 0.20
Reservoir area, acre 40
Reservoir thickness, ft 50
Wellbore radius, ft 0.375
Reservoir permeability, md 200
Oil viscosity, cp 1.0
Formation volume factor, bbl/stb 1.0

Fig. 1 Stress distribution acting on a directional well (6)

SPE 68134 A NEW CONCEPT TO PREDICT SAND PRODUCTION FROM EXTENDED REACH AND HORIZONTAL WELLS 7