Sand Management on ETAP:

A multi-discipline approach
6th European Sand Management Forum
26th March 2014
ETAP (Eastern Trough Area Project)

Overview
• Location- 240km east of Aberdeen in Central North Sea
• 9 Fields, 6 BP operated (Mungo, Machar, Monan, Madoes, Mirren,
Marnock) , 3 Shell Operated (Heron, Egret, Skua).
• Facilities- Central Processing facility (CPF) two bridge linked
platforms, Mungo NUI, 7 subsea tiebacks.
• Start Up- 1998
• Peak Rate-+200mbd and +300mmscf (ca. 2000)
• Produced volumes: ca. 0.6bn boe has been produced to date.
• Export route- oil via Forties Pipeline System to Kinneil; gas via
CATS pipeline to Teesside.
• JV comprise of BP, Shell, Exxon, JX, First Oil.

2
Why does ETAP need a Sand Management
Strategy?
• ETAP designed for sand-free production
• Significant deferrals, costs and POB demand
− 1 mmbbls/yr
− £2m cash costs
− 600 POB demand per year
• Increasing deferrals and integrity risk expected to continue, and potentially
accelerate, through field life due to:
− Increasing water cut
− Reservoir depletion
− Increased drawdown
− Increased GOR
What is the effect of sand production?
Choke
choke
valve
Xmas erosion
tree

Produced Water Reinjection System is

the main source of production deferrals
Deposition
in pipelines Separation

Deposition
Well in vessels
restriction /
erosion

Oil Export
Control
equipment
Blocked / $
Eroded Eroded isolation
control valves Choke
valves
valve
Isolations
erosion
Eroded pumps
pumps and
/ recycle valves equipment Produced Water
Reinjection
4
ETAP Sand Management Strategy Overview
choke Sand Management Team
LEGEND
UT
Xmas
inspection
1. Organisation
tree Condition pigging
Monitoring / • Competence / training 2. Monitoring / Data
Sparing • Sand Management Meetings
S • Governance
3. Prevention
Acoustic Sampling 4. Removal
monitoring
5. Mitigation
6. Compliance
Manual
dig out Separation

Well Management
• Performance monitoring Project: Sand
• bean-up (conditioning) wash facilities pig
• drawdown
• shut-off
(mechanical & chemical) Disposal
• cleanout Permit
Oil Export
Control Deferrals
Condition tracked
equipment
Monitoring /
Completion Sparing $
• type
• effectiveness Planned
Sparing
Overhaul Condition
Reservoir
Monitoring /
• rock properties & stresses
Sparing
• fluid types & properties Isolations
• pressures Performance
monitoring pumps and
Produced Water
equipment
Reinjection
5
 Examples of strategy in practice

• Pump life extended by trending efficiency

and understanding cause of decline
• Well sanding reduced through controlled
bean-up
• Sand monitors online and in use
• Sampling for sand underway, improved
understanding of high risk wells and sand
transport
Examples Continued

• Significant PWRI efficiency

decline caused by bringing on a
sand-free well
• Instability causes sand pull
through from vessels to the PWRI
pumps
Key Learnings

• Sand Management is a multi-discipline subject, it needs a multi-

discipline team
• Data is key but difficult to obtain, start now!
• Sand detectors do not need to be calibrated
• Think ‘Fit for purpose’ not ‘perfect solution’
• You can make a big difference without major modifications – start
now!
• Think ‘Life of Field’ – sand production and its impact will change.
Acknowledgements / Questions

• Acknowledgements
− Kanu Kelechi
− Giuseppe Tizzano
− Marie Bavidge
− Innis MacLeod
Questions?
− Aymeric Housez
− Audrey Madden
− Mike Killeen
− Niels Nouwens
− Mike Power
− James Carnell
Sand Management on ETAP:
A multi-discipline approach
6th European Sand Management Forum
26th March 2014