Prediction and evaluation of sanding and casing deformation in a GOM-shelf well

Sand production is an important well-completion issue affecting well economics and, possibly, casing stability. This study compares predictions of sanding and casing deformation for a well in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico (GOM) shelf prepared before completion of the well with the results of a post-sanding event for this well. The sanding event was predicted adequately considering the uncertainty of the data entered into the model. The casing deformation monitored by the post-sanding survey also was consistent with the prediction of helical buckling caused by depletion of fluids only when cavities of vertical extent greater than 7 ft exist (e.g., because of sand production) around the wellbore. This study supports the use of these predictive methods in well-completion design.