The multiphase (wellhead) desander was first developed in the mid-1990’s. As previously stated, it is a cyclonic technology developed from a mining hydrocyclone and industrial desander.

1994

• January: Concept initiated as internal development project
• April: Laboratory testing using air-water-sand with 10” mining cyclone
• September: JIP initiated for pilot-plant testing and mechanical design

1995

• April: JIP pilot-plant test at (BP) Wytch Farm onshore gathering station. Used a 300# rated 10” diameter desander. Sand was injected into gas-liquid flow stream and separation efficiency quantified. The pilot test also analyzed the performance of five sand monitoring devices.
• June: Detailed mechanical design for full-size commercial unit – 5K rating with single insert.

1996

• First commercial unit fabricated (photo below)
• Operated for coiled-tubing clean-up of well on Shell Brent D in UK North Sea
• API 5,000# WHD Skid
• Flow conditions: 6.4-19.2 MMSCFD and 16,000 BLPD
• Operation: ~75 psig ΔP, D98=20 micron
• Removed sand and coal from flow stream (photo in header)