Some influences of saturation and fluid flow on sand production: Laboratory and discrete element model investigations
A combined program of laboratory strength measurements on core samples, sanding cavity growth and visualization studies with a physical sand-pack model, and numerical modeling simulations using the discrete element method (DEM) is currently underway to investigate the influences of fluid saturation and fluid flow gradient on sand production. The experiments to date have revealed some interesting and important sanding mechanisms. At a given global pressure gradient, sand cavity growth increases with higher water saturation. Sanding appears to occur in episodic stages. At a given flow rate and saturation condition, sand cavity growth progresses and then stabilizes. Additional cavity growth then requires either an increase in pressure gradient or an increase in water saturation. Discrete element modeling of sandpacks seems to capture the observed sanding behavior, including the influences of saturation and flow rate and the episodic progression and stabilization of sanding cavities.
- OSTI ID:
- 471917
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-961003--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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