This is the last post pertaining to Facilities Sand Management training module M7 on Separator Jetting. Next I will start on module M8 on Sand Cleaning.

Key Items

Production separators require solids removal (pre or in-situ)

Standard Jetting System

• Jet spacing formula and F-factor
• Balance spray pressure, water usage, and wear
• Sand caps effective for outlet
• Control discharge using gamma densitometer

Cyclonic Jetting System

• Based on hydrocyclone principles
• Provides shielded vortex sand removal
• Single row for small diameter and double row (angled units) for large diameter
• Fixed pressure, flow, and design

Critical to automate jetting system – or don’t install it!

Slurry Transport, Dewatering, and Disposal key part of system

Key Technical Paper References

1. American Petroleum Institute, “Design and Operation of Oil-Water Separators”, API Publication 421, 1st Ed., February 1990.
2. Arnold, K., Stewart, M., “Surface Production Operations Vol. 1, Design of Oil-Handling Systems and Facilities”, Gulf Publishing Company, Houston, TX, 1986.
3. Norwegian Technology Centre, “NORSOK STANDARD P-100, Process Systems”, Rev. 2, November 2001.
4. Patterson, J.C., “Removing Solids from Process Separator Vessels”, U.S. Patent 4783272, November 8, 1988.
5. Power, M., “Gravity Separator Design: Theory and Practice (presentation)”, TEKNA Separation Conference, Stavanger, Norway, 2013.
6. Priestman, G.H., Tippetts, J.R., Dick, D.R., “The Design and Operation of Oil-Gas Production Separator Desanding Systems”, Trans IChemE, Vol. 74, Part A, March 1996, pp. 166-176.
7. Rawlins, C.H., “Design of a Cyclonic Solids Jetting Device and Slurry Transport System for Production Systems”, paper 166118, presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, New Orleans, LA, 30 September – 2 October, 2013. https://doi.org/10.2118/166118-MS
8. Rawlins, C.H., “Design of a Cyclonic-Jetting and Slurry-Transport System for Separators”, SPE Oil & Gas Facilities, February 2016, pp. 38-46.