Gravel packing is used to?

• A. Reduce sand pumping
• B. Increase sand production
• C. Improve corrosion resistance
• D. Lower pumping costs by chemical treatments

Answer: (A)

Gravel packing is used to control sand entering a well. By surrounding the well screen with a permeable layer of gravel, formation sand is filtered out before it can get into the pump, reducing sand pumping and the wear and clogging that sand can cause. This helps maintain stable production and protects equipment like pumps and screens, especially in unconsolidated or sandy formations.

It doesn’t increase sand production, and it doesn’t address corrosion resistance. Chemical treatments aimed at lowering pumping costs are a different approach and aren’t the function of a gravel pack.