Advancing subsea operations using topside desanders
Sand producing subsea wells are vulnerable, and operators are rightly concerned with erosion in the intricate system of trees, chokes and risers that subsea installations depend on. Case studies from FourPhase, however, reveal that closely monitored and managed sand production in subsea wells can vastly improve output with minimal risk to the subsea infrastructure.
By Olof Nilsson, Marketing Manager, FourPhase
Sand production is a major challenge of subsea wells. There is limited mature technology to provide reliable solids separation subsea and thus avoid the upstream erosion issue entirely. When participating in energy events worldwide, one of the most common questions we encounter is: Do you provide subsea sand management?
By Olof Nilsson, Marketing Manager, FourPhase
Sand production is a major challenge of subsea wells. There is limited mature technology to provide reliable solids separation subsea and thus avoid the upstream erosion issue entirely. When participating in energy events worldwide, one of the most common questions we encounter is: Do you provide subsea sand management?
Solving a subsea sand challenge topside
We don’t — at least not yet provide a subsea desander. However, we provide state-of-the-art topside sand management solutions that can be installed on deepwater subsea wells. These solutions significantly change the way operators manage and boost production from them within a set of chosen parameters.
FourPhase has demonstrated its expertise through installations in environments as diverse as the Gulf of Mexico and the North Sea. These are scenarios with complex installations, encompassing multiple wells transporting hydrocarbons via risers to platforms or FPSOs. Here, our desanders capability to quantify removed sand has been instrumental in measuring and mitigating the erosion risks associated with sand production.
A major American operator experienced sand production in multiple subsea wells on a Gulf of Mexico platform. Due to the inefficient solids management system installed, the operator needed to retrofit an effective de-sanding unit to bring it back from a permanent shut-in. A DualFlow 5K PSI was installed to handle the production brought topside through a steel catenary riser (SCR). The desander was situated upstream of the test separator and filter package.
The wells could be brought back to production through the desander, enabling a production increase of 6000 bbl/day and an increased revenue of US$5.4M/month. At today's oil price, this would be close to $14M/month. Due to the riser diameter, particle sizes, and speed of production flow, erosion values were considered to be within operational limits.
FourPhase has demonstrated its expertise through installations in environments as diverse as the Gulf of Mexico and the North Sea. These are scenarios with complex installations, encompassing multiple wells transporting hydrocarbons via risers to platforms or FPSOs. Here, our desanders capability to quantify removed sand has been instrumental in measuring and mitigating the erosion risks associated with sand production.
A major American operator experienced sand production in multiple subsea wells on a Gulf of Mexico platform. Due to the inefficient solids management system installed, the operator needed to retrofit an effective de-sanding unit to bring it back from a permanent shut-in. A DualFlow 5K PSI was installed to handle the production brought topside through a steel catenary riser (SCR). The desander was situated upstream of the test separator and filter package.
The wells could be brought back to production through the desander, enabling a production increase of 6000 bbl/day and an increased revenue of US$5.4M/month. At today's oil price, this would be close to $14M/month. Due to the riser diameter, particle sizes, and speed of production flow, erosion values were considered to be within operational limits.
Monitoring is the key
Through sophisticated data analytics, based on our exhaustive solids database compiled over decades, FourPhase empowers operators to monitor sand production comprehensively in real-time and execute efficient topside separation processes. This approach enables operators to optimise production levels within operational limits, often increasing the flow above what had typically been considered as the Acceptable Sand Rate (ASR) and safeguarding against erosive damage and maximizing reservoir longevity.
We are aligned with industry standards such as the DNV-RP-0501 Solid Particle Erosion Models, ensuring that the solids management is in compliance with the standards. This commitment holds particular significance in regions like the Gulf of Mexico and the North Sea, where fields feature sandstone reservoirs and are naturally prone to sand production.
Erosion remains the paramount challenge in sand management. There is, however, a secondary challenge compounded by prevailing practices aimed at mitigating sand production through well choking. We find that this is an almost instinctive strategy from operators. Unfortunately, it often proves counterproductive and leads to sand build-up in the wellbore, ultimately leading to shut-in wells requiring Coiled Tubing Cleanouts.
Our proven alternative is to produce sand within a set of well-specific parameters, above the sand lift rate. This ensures that sand is not accumulated in the wellbore and improves production values. This method also reduces uncertainties surrounding production data, as sand accumulation can contribute to muddying the well's data sampling.
We are aligned with industry standards such as the DNV-RP-0501 Solid Particle Erosion Models, ensuring that the solids management is in compliance with the standards. This commitment holds particular significance in regions like the Gulf of Mexico and the North Sea, where fields feature sandstone reservoirs and are naturally prone to sand production.
Erosion remains the paramount challenge in sand management. There is, however, a secondary challenge compounded by prevailing practices aimed at mitigating sand production through well choking. We find that this is an almost instinctive strategy from operators. Unfortunately, it often proves counterproductive and leads to sand build-up in the wellbore, ultimately leading to shut-in wells requiring Coiled Tubing Cleanouts.
Our proven alternative is to produce sand within a set of well-specific parameters, above the sand lift rate. This ensures that sand is not accumulated in the wellbore and improves production values. This method also reduces uncertainties surrounding production data, as sand accumulation can contribute to muddying the well's data sampling.
Offering tailored solutions
We acknowledge the complexity of subsea sand removal solutions and remain committed to exploring innovative avenues in both topside and subsea environments. While the demand for dedicated subsea solutions persists, FourPhase sees delivering effective topside sand management strategies as a viable approach to subsea requirements.
By offering tailored solutions, underpinned by sophisticated data analytics and adherence to industry standards, FourPhase empowers operators to navigate sand management challenges confidently, ensuring optimal performance and longevity for subsea installations.
Case study -- FourPhase Subsea production with FourPhase
Contact us to learn more
By offering tailored solutions, underpinned by sophisticated data analytics and adherence to industry standards, FourPhase empowers operators to navigate sand management challenges confidently, ensuring optimal performance and longevity for subsea installations.
Case study -- FourPhase Subsea production with FourPhase
Contact us to learn more