What information is key to determine that a well screen may be sand bridged?

• A. The screen is old and heavily used
• B. Happens in new well
• C. The aquifer has a very high sand content
• D. The well delivers increased yield after screen replacement

Answer: (B)

Sand bridging around a well screen is something you’re most likely to see soon after a screen is installed. When a well is new, the surrounding formation hasn’t yet developed a stable, filtered zone or gravel pack, so sand grains can form a bridge across the screen openings and restrict flow. That’s why the information that the situation occurs in a new well is the most relevant clue—the problem is tied to the installation and the initial condition of the screen and surrounding pack.

In contrast, an old or heavily used screen doesn’t inherently imply bridging, since it reflects wear rather than the immediate post-installation condition. A high sand content aquifer could contribute sand production, but bridging is best anticipated as a result of the new-installation and development stage. Seeing an increased yield after screen replacement describes the remedy’s effectiveness, not the information that signals bridging in the first place.