Managing solids from a high gas producer
UK North Sea, September 2020
UK North Sea, September 2020
Challenge
A well was shut in due to an expected high solids production combined with high gas rates. The target was to beam up the well and clean out any solids.
To enable safe solids management, hydrocarbons were required to be contained at all times, including during the flushing of vessels. Production engineers expected transient sand, which would be mobile at lower drawdown. The estimation for solids expected back was approximately 500 kg of sand produced at a rate of 3.6 kg/hr. Limited deck space required a minimal footprint solids management system.
To enable safe solids management, hydrocarbons were required to be contained at all times, including during the flushing of vessels. Production engineers expected transient sand, which would be mobile at lower drawdown. The estimation for solids expected back was approximately 500 kg of sand produced at a rate of 3.6 kg/hr. Limited deck space required a minimal footprint solids management system.
Solution
Mobilising a complete closed loop solids management system including:
- 2x DualFlow desanders
- 2” Fig 1502 Pipework package and hoses
- 2x Closed Solids Tanks
Due to limited deck space and limited crane access, movement of equipment within the operational area was carried out successfully on a skating system with no issues. Rig up and commissioning was completed in 8 days (including meetings).
- 2x DualFlow desanders
- 2” Fig 1502 Pipework package and hoses
- 2x Closed Solids Tanks
Due to limited deck space and limited crane access, movement of equipment within the operational area was carried out successfully on a skating system with no issues. Rig up and commissioning was completed in 8 days (including meetings).
Results
The operation was successfully completed with solids separated at a gas flow at 46 MMSCF/D. Using the Closed solids tanks with associated piping, all hydrocarbons were safely contained during the whole operation. The well was flowed back through 2 x DualFlow units with ESV valve, D27 4” pipework upstream, two x choke manifolds and ESV downstream.
With a 2x2m footprint per automated desander, minimum deck space and POB was required, removing risks associated with heavy equipment and high POB. The DualFlow units did not have to be bypassed as originally planned at the higher stable clean-up rate 46.1 MMSCF/D due to the low dP across both DualFlow units.
With a 2x2m footprint per automated desander, minimum deck space and POB was required, removing risks associated with heavy equipment and high POB. The DualFlow units did not have to be bypassed as originally planned at the higher stable clean-up rate 46.1 MMSCF/D due to the low dP across both DualFlow units.