Sand management continues to evolve as advances in reservoir characterization, completion engineering, and diagnostic techniques provide engineers with new tools to better understand and manage sanding risks. Rather than relying solely on empirical practices, recent research increasingly emphasizes physics-based understanding, rigorous laboratory characterization, and integrated engineering workflows to enhance sand-control design, execution, and evaluation. The papers presented here reflect this evolution across the entire sand-management lifecycle.
Three papers are highlighted as the primary contributions because of their broad industry relevance. They focus on improving formation particle-size characterization, expanding the application of openhole gravel packs in depleted and compartmentalized reservoirs, and advancing the understanding of capillary pressure in sand production. Three additional papers are recommended for readers interested in fluid-displacement modeling, sanding mechanisms, and gravel-pack evaluation.
Paper SPE 230564 revisits one of the more fundamental inputs to sand-control design—formation particle-size distribution (PSD)—and demonstrates that meaningful improvements can still be made in how PSD data are generated. Through a systematic comparison of dry-sieve analysis and laser particle-size analysis, the authors identify overlooked sources of error, establish practical best practices for sample preparation and testing, and validate the effect of PSD quality on sand-retention testing. The work provides a practical framework for generating PSD data that enable more-reliable screen and gravel selection.
Paper SPE 227908 makes the case for a mindset change in completion selection for depleted Gulf of Mexico reservoirs. Using two field applications, the authors demonstrate how openhole gravel packs can improve access to multiple stacked sands and fault blocks while operating within narrow pressure margins. The study shows that advances in alternate-path technology, managed-pressure operations, and completion design have expanded the application of openhole gravel packs beyond their traditional operating envelope.
Paper OTC 36387 advances the understanding of water-induced sand production by moving beyond empirical observations to quantify the relationship between capillary pressure, capillary strength, and formation stability. Integrating laboratory measurements with mathematical modeling, the study demonstrates how increasing water saturation weakens interparticle cohesion and identifies particle size as an important factor controlling sanding behavior.
Three additional papers are recommended for readers seeking further developments in sand management. Paper SPE 230536 presents a practical nonpiston fluid-displacement model developed specifically for sand-control flow paths, enabling engineers to optimize fluid placement, reduce displacement-related risks, and enhance well productivity. Paper SPE 227915 challenges the conventional emphasis on drawdown by demonstrating the dominant role of fluid flux in sanding and proposing a flux-based framework for sanding assessment and production optimization. Paper SPE 233318 introduces an integrated methodology for evaluating gravel-pack placement in modular screen systems by combining pressure analysis, surface measurements, and post-job diagnostics to improve confidence in completion quality while supporting future design optimization.
Collectively, these papers demonstrate that advances in sand management are increasingly driven by a deeper understanding of the physical processes governing reservoir behavior and completion performance. Improved characterization, predictive modeling, integrated workflows, and rigorous evaluation methodologies are enabling engineers to make better-informed decisions throughout the sand-control lifecycle, leading to more-reliable operations and improved production outcomes.
Summarized Papers in This October 2026 Issue
SPE 230564 Study Explores Best Practices in Formation-Sand Particle-Size Distribution by Andrew LaCassa, SPE, and Steven Tinker, SPE, Woodside Energy, and Christine Fischer, SPE, Constien & Associates, et al.
SPE 227908 Openhole Gravel-Pack in Depleted GOM Reservoirs Achieved With Alternative Approach by Lehron Brune, Walker Shirley, and Brandon Vu, BP, et al.
OTC 36387 Modeling Study Unlocks Influence of Capillary Pressure on Sand Production by Mohammed B. Alameen, Ahmed A. Elryes, SPE, and Khaled A. Elraies, SPE, Petronas, et al.
Recommended Additional Reading
SPE 230536 Beyond Plug Flow: Realistic Fluid-Displacement Modeling for Sand-Control Success by Samyak Jain, DuneFront, et al.
SPE 227915 Dominant Role of Fluid Flux on Sanding by Y. Xiao, BP, et al.
SPE 233318 Evaluation Methodology for Gravel-Pack Placement in Modular Screen Systems in the Sakarya Field by A. Mazman, TP-OTC, et al.
Samyak Jain, SPE, is a sand control specialist at DuneFront, an independent oilfield consultancy focused on sand control. He holds an MS degree in petroleum engineering from the University of Oklahoma. Jain has more than 20 years of experience in the design and evaluation of sand-control treatments. Before joining DuneFront, he worked with SLB in various global roles across field operations and product development. An active member of SPE, Jain has served on multiple technical committees and authored more than 20 papers on well completions and stimulation in SPE and other industry journals.