If sand produced to subsea facilities…

• Not excluded by completion equipment or production limits

1. Separate and bypass critical equipment

• Put sand back into production flow line downstream of processing
• Protect multiphase pump or separating vessel

2. Separate and dispose into injection well

• Along with produced water or into dedicated well/zone

3. Separate and put into retrievable containers

• Wireline, ROV, or flotation lift

4. Separate and put into bag/tube flexible container for local storage

Subsea Processing Requires Sand Management

• Wells will produce sand
• Erosion, filing, interference, or oil-in-water

No New Equipment Required for Separation

• Proven equipment available topsides (multiphase desander)
• Packaging for deepwater use needed

Solids Handling Main Concern

• Conventional: Improve materials or flow path (velocity)
• Treatment: Modify or dissolve in-situ
• Removal: Separate then bypass or dispose or new flow stream
• Recommendations: bypass, injection disposal, containerization

Closing Technology Gaps (Separation and Handling)

• Coordination between major stakeholders
• Cooperative development approach
• Qualified experienced innovative partners

References:

1. Rawlins, C.H. and Ditria, J.C., 2019. “The Subsea Sand Management Challenge – What to do with the Sand?”. Offshore Technology Conference, Houston, TX, 6-9 May, OTC-29278-MS. https://doi.org/10.4043/29278-MS
2. Rawlins, C.H. 2019. “Enhanced Production Through Surface Facilities Sand Management.” SPE Distinguished Lecturer presentation. Link here
3. eprocess-training.com

Next week I will discuss the subsea wellhead desander.