Kazakhstan owns one of the largest global oil reserves (approximately 3%). This paper aims at investigating the challenges and potentials for production from weakly consolidated and unconsolidated oil sandstone reserves in Kazakhstan.

We used the published information in the literature, especially those including comparative studies between Kazakhstan and North America. Weakly consolidated and unconsolidated oil reserves in Kazakhstan were studied in terms of the depth, pay-zone thickness, viscosity, particle-size distribution (PSD), clay content, porosity, permeability, gas cap, bottomwater, mineralogy, solution gas, oil saturation, and homogeneity of the pay zone. The previous and current experiences in developing these reserves were outlined. The stress condition was also discussed. Furthermore, the geological condition, including the existing structures, layers, and formations, were addressed for different reserves.

Weakly consolidated heavy-oil reserves in shallow depths (less than 500-m true vertical depth) with oil viscosity of approximately 500 cp and thin pay zones (less than 10 m) have been successfully produced using cold methods; however, thicker zones could be produced using thermal options. Sand management is the main challenge in cold operations, while sand control is the main challenge in thermal operations. Tectonic history is more critical compared with the similar cases in North America. The complicated tectonic history necessitates geomechanical models to strategize the sand control, especially in cased and perforated completions. These models are usually avoided in North America because of the less-problematic conditions. Further investigation has shown that inflow-control devices (ICDs) could be used to limit the water breakthrough, because water coning is a common problem that begins and intensifies the sanding. This paper provides a review on challenges and potentials for sand control and sand management in heavy-oil reserves of Kazakhstan, which could be used as a guideline for service companies and operators.

This paper could be also used as an initial step for further investigations regarding the sand control and sand management in Kazakhstan.

哈萨克斯坦拥有全球最大的石油储备之一（约3％）。本文旨在调查哈萨克斯坦弱固结和未固结的油砂岩储量所面临的挑战和潜力。

我们使用文献中已发布的信息，特别是那些包括哈萨克斯坦和北美之间的比较研究在内的信息。从深度，产层厚度，粘度，粒度分布（PSD），粘土含量，孔隙度，渗透率，气顶，底水，矿物学，溶解气，油饱和度等方面研究了哈萨克斯坦的弱固结和未固结石油储量，以及薪酬区的同质性。概述了开发这些储量的先前和当前经验。还讨论了压力条件。此外，还针对不同的储量解决了地质条件，包括现有结构，层和地层。

已经成功地通过冷法生产了浅层深度（小于真实垂直深度小于500-m），油粘度约为500 cp和稀薄带（小于10 m）的弱固结稠油储层；但是，使用热选件可以生产较厚的区域。防砂是冷作业中的主要挑战，而防砂是热作业中的主要挑战。与北美的类似案例相比，构造史更为重要。复杂的构造历史需要用地质力学模型来制定防砂策略，尤其是在套管和射孔完井中。由于问题较少，通常在北美避免使用这些模型。进一步的研究表明，可以使用流入控制装置（ICD）来限制水的渗透，因为水锥是一个普遍的问题，开始并加剧了打磨。本文对哈萨克斯坦重油储藏中防砂和防砂管理的挑战和潜力进行了综述，可作为服务公司和运营商的指南。

本文也可以用作进一步调查哈萨克斯坦防沙治沙工作的第一步。