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Forum

Sand Control in Next-Generation
Brownfields and Depleted
Reservoirs - A Future-Forward
Approach

8–11 December 2025 | Galveston, Texas

As the global oil and gas industry faces the inevitable maturation of major offshore fields, a new era of challenges emerges.

Currently brownfield environments not only dominate offshore production landscapes but are also becoming focal points for discussions toward advanced technologies that address complex extraction hurdles. The need for robust, cost-effective sand control systems will escalate as reservoirs continue to experience significant depletion, and the hunt for smaller, more elusive hydrocarbon pools intensifies. 

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Key Takeaways from the Forum

As the global oil and gas industry faces the inevitable maturation of major offshore fields, a new era of challenges emerges.

Next-Generation Sand Control Technologies 

  • Advancements in mechanical sand control (e.g., expandable screens, autonomous inflow control devices, advanced gravel packs). 
  • Emerging chemical sand control solutions, including novel consolidating agents and nanoparticle-based treatments. 
  • The integration of smart materials to enhance sand control longevity and adaptability. 

AI & Digital Innovation in Sand Control 

  • The role of digital twins / modeling / simulation in predicting and optimizing sand control strategies. 
  • AI-driven real-time monitoring and predictive analytics to anticipate sand production and mitigate failures. 
  • Machine learning applications for automated well interventions and optimizing completions in brownfields. 

Managing Sand Control in Highly Depleted Reservoirs 

  • New ideas for handling narrow fracture margins and extreme pressure differentials. 
  • Building upon past case studies on sand control failures and lessons learned in mature fields. 
  • Novel zonal isolation and selective completions strategies for sand-prone reservoirs. 

Cost-Effective and Sustainable Sand Management 

  • Strategies to reduce intervention costs while maintaining production efficiency. 
  • Economic trade-offs between mechanical vs. chemical sand control approaches. 
  • Sustainability in sand control – minimizing waste, optimizing material usage, and improving energy efficiency. 

Industry Collaboration & Future Research Directions 

  • Identifying gaps in current sand control technologies and setting a research agenda. 
  • Strengthening operator-service provider-academia partnerships for field trials and technology validation. 
  • Regulatory considerations and risk management strategies for future offshore sand control. 

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