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)