Applying the Five Steps of Sand Management to Subsea is the same methodology used as for surface facilities.
Separation: required
- Separation will take place either in the separating vessel with jetting or with subsea wellhead desander
Collection: required
- Collection will take place in the separator vessel bottom section or dedicated subsea wellhead desander accumulator
Cleaning: not required
- Cleaning will not be required. If subsea solids discharge is ever allowed, then yes cleaning could be used – but that disposal step is doubtful
Dewater: probably not required
- Dewatering always depends on the final solids disposal route – for injection or pipe transport no, but for containerization with retrieval then yes it will be required
Transport: required
- Sand will need to be disposed of from process once separated