The primary role of offshore solids handling is to remove and dispose of produced solids properly, without interruption or shutdown. Most sand-management studies focus on the separation component only. However, 80% of the capital expenditure (CAPEX) of the process is attributed to separating devices, and 80% of the operating expenditure (OPEX) involves dewatering, transport, and disposal (DTD). The complete paper outlines questions that must be asked during facility design and provides guidelines, calculations, and examples on each of the steps of the sand-handling process to be implemented after separation.
Facilities Sand Management (FSM)
FSM refers to the solids-handling processes in the hydrocarbon production and processing system from the wellhead to custody transfer, based on engineering knowledge and a certain degree of skill.
FSM is not a waste-stream-treatment exercise but a critical flow-assurance issue. Production and uptime are maintained (or increased) even when solids are present, while the operating costs are minimized or reduced.
