GB2342057A - Method of separating sand from wellfluids for processing - Google Patents
Method of separating sand from wellfluids for processing Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2342057A GB2342057A GB9920438A GB9920438A GB2342057A GB 2342057 A GB2342057 A GB 2342057A GB 9920438 A GB9920438 A GB 9920438A GB 9920438 A GB9920438 A GB 9920438A GB 2342057 A GB2342057 A GB 2342057A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- sand
- wellfluids
- process equipment
- hopper
- gel
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 239000004576 sand Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 64
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 32
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 24
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- 239000003129 oil well Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000003628 erosive effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004215 Carbon black (E152) Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001627 detrimental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011143 downstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011010 flushing procedure Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 description 1
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002002 slurry Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000725 suspension Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
- E21B43/34—Arrangements for separating materials produced by the well
- E21B43/38—Arrangements for separating materials produced by the well in the well
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
- E21B43/34—Arrangements for separating materials produced by the well
- E21B43/35—Arrangements for separating materials produced by the well specially adapted for separating solids
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Separation Of Solids By Using Liquids Or Pneumatic Power (AREA)
Abstract
Apparatus for use on the seabed close to a subsea oil well, and comprises an inlet connector 12, an initial sand separator 14 arranged to separate sand from a stream of wellfluids, process equipment 10 for the wellfluids, and an outlet connector 25; wherein the sand separator is configured to pass most of the wellfluids to the process equipment 10 and at least most of the sand to a storage hopper 17, in which the hopper is adapted to release the sand intermittently when required, and in which there is means to mix the sand to be so released with a gel so that the sand and gel mixture can be injected intermittently into a production pipeline 20 leading from the outlet connector 25, whereby most of the sand can bypass the process equipment and can be removed from the apparatus along the production pipeline while mixed with the gel.
Description
REMOVAL OF SAND FROM WELLIFLUIDS The invention relates to an apparatus and
to a method for the removal of sand from wellfluids.
In particular the invention relates to an apparatus and to a method for use on the seabed for the initial separation of sand from wellfluids adsing from a subsea oil well, and for the removal of that sand.
Fluids arising from subsea oil wells may contain a mixture of oil, gas, water and entrained sand. Particles of sand - particularly large particles - entrained in the wellfluids can be detrimental to primary process equipment which splits oil and gas from produced water.
It has been known to locate sand separation equipment on the seabed. Such equipment has incorporated weirs or the like to trap sand. An example of such an arrangement is shown in UK Patent Specification 2,242,373A. However, the sand traps may fill up with sand; and so removal of the sand (and not merely its separation) is desirable.
Sand carried from the wellhead or separation equipment may subsequently settle out in a production pipeline or downstream process equipment. Even with regular pigging, erosion and damage may be caused by the entrained sand. Accordingly, a means of transporting the sand out of the system without high velocity or turbulence is also desirable.
The invention provides apparatus for use on the seabed close to a subsea oil well, and comprising an inlet connector, an initial sand separator arranged to separate sand from a stream of welifluids, process equipment for the wellfluids, and an outlet connector; wherein the sand separator is configured to pass most of the wellfluids to the process equipment and at least most of the sand to a storage hopper, in which the hopper is adapted to release the sand intermittently when required, and in which there is means to mix the sand to be so released with a gel so that the sand and gel mixture can be injected intermittently into a production pipeline leading from the outlet connector, whereby most of the sand can bypass the process equipment and can be removed from the apparatus along the production pipeline while mixed with the gel.
Preferably the initial sand separator is a cyclone separator.
It is preferred that a part of the wellfluid which has passed through the process equipment can be directed to flush out the hopper, and thence to the production pipeline.
The apparatus descriibed above may be used in combination with a sand removal trap at a downstream locationon the production pipeline to remove the sand and gel mixture from the production pipeline.
The invention also provides a method of separation and removal of sand from well fluids close to a subsea oil well, comprising the steps of separating at least most of the sand from the wellfluids, passing the remaining wellfluids through process equipment, storing the separated sand in a hopper. intermittently mixing sand from the hopper with a gel, and then intermittently admitting the sand and gel mixture into a production pipeline downstream of the process equipment.
It is preferred that the method includes the step of using part of the wellfluids which has passed through the process equipment to flush out the hopper.
It is also preferred that the method includes the step of removing the sand and gel mixture from the production pipeline at a downstream location.
A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is a flow diagram of wellfluids emerging from a subsea oil well, Wellfluids emerge from a subsea oil well (not shown) and are conducted to subsea process equipment 10. The wellfluids reach the process equipment along a wellhead pipeline 11, and are led through an inlet connector 12 into a de-sanding cyclone 14. De-sanded wellfluids are discharged at the top of the cyclone 14, and pass through a pipe 15 to the process equipment 10. After processing, the de-sanded wellfluids flow through an outlet connector 25 and along a production pipeline 20. (Valve 22 would be open, and valves 23 and 24 closed.) Following the invention, sand slurry is discharged from the bottom of the cyclone 14 through a pipe 16 into a storage hopper/container 17. There is provision for a gel to be injected into the hopper 17 through a pipe 18.
When required, (e.g. when the hopper 17 is nearly full) injection of gel into the hopper 17 2S drives a slug of sand/gel mixture out through a pipe 19 into the production line 20. (Valve 22 is closed, and valve 24 is opened.) The gel would be water or hydrocarbon based to suit the wellfluids and chemically mixed and transported to the hopper 17 to combine with the sand. The gel holds the sand in suspension and provides a cushioning effect to prevent erosion. The viscosity of the gel ensures minimal turbulance.
Optionally, part of the wellfluid which has passed through the process equipment 10 can be directed along pipe 21 to flush out the hopper 17. That part of the wellfluid can then return to the production pipeline 20 through the pipe 19. Valves 22. 23 and 24 are located in and adjacent to the production pipeline 20 to effect this flushing out of the hopper.
3- Intermittent discharge of the sand and gel mixture into the production pipeline 20 allows the sand to be carried along the production pipeline as a fluid slug, which can be removed from the production pipeline at a later stage. Sand removal from the production pipeline would be effected downstream at a sand and gel mixture trap (not shown).
Claims (1)
1/ Apparatus for use on the seabed close to a subsea oil well, and comprising an inlet connector, an initial sand separator arranged to separate sand from a stream of wellfluids, process equipment for the wellfluids. and an outlet connector, wherein the sand separator is configured to pass most of the wellfluids to the process equipment and at least most of the sand to a storage hopper, in which the hopper is adapted to release the sand intermittently when required, and in which there is means to mix the sand to be so released with a gel so that the sand and gel mixture can be injected intermittently into a production pipeline leading from the outlet connector, whereby most of the sand can bypass the process equipment and can be removed from the apparatus along the production pipeline while mixed with the gel.
2/ Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the initial sand separator is a cyclone separator.
3/ Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which a part of the wellfluid which has passed through the process equipment can be directed to flush out the hopper, and thence to the production pipeline.
4/ Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in combination with a sand removal trap at a downstream location on the production pipeline to remove the sand and gel mixture from the production pipeline.
5/ A method of separation and removal of sand from wellfluids close to a subsea oil well, comprising the steps of separating at least most of the sand from the well fluids, passing the remaining wellfluids through process equipment, storing the separated sand in a hopper, intermittently mixing sand from the hopper with a gel, and then intermittently admitting the sand and gel mixture into aproduction pipeline downstream of the process equipment.
6/ A method as claimed in claim 5, and including the step of using part of the wellfluid which has passed through the process equipment to flush out the hopper.
7/ A method as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, and including the step of removing the sand and gel mixture from the production pipeline at a downstream location.
8/ An apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described by way of example with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawing.
-S- 9/ A method substantially as hereinbefore described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB9818740.4A GB9818740D0 (en) | 1998-08-27 | 1998-08-27 | Removal of sand from well fluids |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9920438D0 GB9920438D0 (en) | 1999-11-03 |
| GB2342057A true GB2342057A (en) | 2000-04-05 |
| GB2342057B GB2342057B (en) | 2002-01-16 |
Family
ID=10837961
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB9818740.4A Ceased GB9818740D0 (en) | 1998-08-27 | 1998-08-27 | Removal of sand from well fluids |
| GB9920438A Expired - Fee Related GB2342057B (en) | 1998-08-27 | 1999-08-27 | Removal of sand from wellfluids |
Family Applications Before (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB9818740.4A Ceased GB9818740D0 (en) | 1998-08-27 | 1998-08-27 | Removal of sand from well fluids |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (2) | GB9818740D0 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2008140322A1 (en) | 2007-05-09 | 2008-11-20 | Agr Subsea As | Particle collector for a dynamic cyclone, and systems comprising the same |
| WO2013029685A1 (en) * | 2011-09-02 | 2013-03-07 | Fmc Kongsberg Subsea As | Arrangement for sand collection |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3764008A (en) * | 1972-04-27 | 1973-10-09 | Shell Oil Co | Well operation for recovering oil from produced sand |
| US4673500A (en) * | 1985-04-15 | 1987-06-16 | Amoco Corporation | Sand separation and removal method and apparatus |
| WO1997011254A1 (en) * | 1995-09-22 | 1997-03-27 | Baker Hughes Limited | A method of separating production fluid from an oil well |
-
1998
- 1998-08-27 GB GBGB9818740.4A patent/GB9818740D0/en not_active Ceased
-
1999
- 1999-08-27 GB GB9920438A patent/GB2342057B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3764008A (en) * | 1972-04-27 | 1973-10-09 | Shell Oil Co | Well operation for recovering oil from produced sand |
| US4673500A (en) * | 1985-04-15 | 1987-06-16 | Amoco Corporation | Sand separation and removal method and apparatus |
| WO1997011254A1 (en) * | 1995-09-22 | 1997-03-27 | Baker Hughes Limited | A method of separating production fluid from an oil well |
Cited By (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2008140322A1 (en) | 2007-05-09 | 2008-11-20 | Agr Subsea As | Particle collector for a dynamic cyclone, and systems comprising the same |
| US20100193414A1 (en) * | 2007-05-09 | 2010-08-05 | Anders Mathias Arefjord | Particle collector for a dynamic cyclone, and systems comprising the same |
| NO330577B1 (en) * | 2007-05-09 | 2011-05-16 | Agr Subsea As | Particle collector with weight paint. |
| US8585893B2 (en) * | 2007-05-09 | 2013-11-19 | Agr Subsea As | Particle collector with weight measuring |
| WO2013029685A1 (en) * | 2011-09-02 | 2013-03-07 | Fmc Kongsberg Subsea As | Arrangement for sand collection |
| AU2011376105B2 (en) * | 2011-09-02 | 2016-09-22 | Fmc Kongsberg Subsea As | Arrangement for sand collection |
| US9638375B2 (en) | 2011-09-02 | 2017-05-02 | Fmc Kongsberg Subsea As | Arrangement for sand collection |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB9818740D0 (en) | 1998-10-21 |
| GB9920438D0 (en) | 1999-11-03 |
| GB2342057B (en) | 2002-01-16 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 732E | Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977) | ||
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |