Exclusion Methodology focuses on preventing
sand from flowing into the wellbore – then to the surface. However, these
controls come with a cost.

Quadrant 1: Production Limits

Goal: To reduce oil and gas production to
sand free production rate

• Easy to implement – however
  results in immediate reduction of hydrocarbon flow
• Sand production map is moving
  target (requires frequent monitoring/adjustment)
• Use sand monitoring/measurement
  probes and sampling
• If choke too much then lost
  production, If choke to little then sand in separator
• CAPEX: Low | OPEX: Low |
  Production: Large Decrease

Quadrant 2: Downhole Equipment
(Completions)

Goal: Prevent sand ingress from reservoir
to wellbore tubulars

• Use Completion design and technology
• Widely studied, accepted, and
  available technology
• May introduce formation/skin
  damage and reduce inflow
• Does protect mechanical
  stability of well area
• Eventual mechanical failure
• Can be very expensive to replace,
  especially in deepwater
• CAPEX: Medium-High | OPEX: Low
  | Production: Small Decrease

What if sand were allowed to flow instead
of being choked back? It is possible that more oil can be produced with a lower
total well cost.

Bibliography:

1. Andrews, J., Kjørholt, H., and
   Jøranson, H. 2005. Production Enhancement from Sand Management Philosophy. A
   Case Study from Statfjord and Gulfaks. Paper 94511 presented at the SPE
   6th European Formation Damage Conference, Scheveningen, The Netherlands, 25-27
   May.
2. Fadillah, P.M., Ahmad, P.H.,
   Ward, M. et al. 2004. Gecko Wells: Bringing Sand to Surface, a Change in Well
   Design Philosophy. Paper 87956 presented at the IADC/SPE Asia Pacific Drilling
   Technology Conference and Exhibition. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 13-15 September.
3. Geilikman, M.B., Dusseault,
   M.B., and Dullien, F.A. 1994. Fluid Production Enhancement by Exploiting Sand
   Production. Paper 27797 presented at the SPE/DOE Improved Oil Recovery
   Symposium. Tulsa, Oklahoma, 17-20 April.
4. Guinot, F., Douglass, S.,
   Duncan, J. et al. 2009. Sand Exclusion and Management in the Okwori Subsea Oil
   Field, Nigeria. Paper 106294 in SPE Drilling & Completion 24 (1):
   157-168.
5. Kaura, J.D., Macrae, A., and
   Mennie, D. 2001. Clean up and Well Testing Operations in High-Rate Gas-Condensate
   Field Result in Improved Sand Management System. Paper 68747 presented at the
   SPE Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition. Jakarta, Indonesia,
   17-19 April.
6. Sanfilippo, F., Brignoli, M.,
   Giacca, D. et al. 1997. Sand Production: From Prediction to Management. Paper
   38185 presented at the SPE European Formation Damage Conference. The Hague,
   Netherlands, 2-3 June.
7. Selfridge, F., Munday, M.,
   Kvernvold, O. et al. 2003. Safely Improving Production Performance through
   Improved Sand Management. Paper 83979 presented at the Offshore Europe.
   Aberdeen, UK, 2-5 September.
8. Vaziri, H.H., Lemoine, E.,
   Palmer, I.D. et al. 2000. How Can Sand Production Yield a Several-Fold Increase
   in Productivity: Experimental and Field Data. Paper 63235 presented at the SPE
   Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition. Dallas, TX, 1-4 October.