Solids / Asphaltene Sampling, Characterisation and Optimisation

Solids production in oil and gas operations presents several significant challenges that impact operational efficiency, equipment longevity, and environmental safety. Key issues include:

• Equipment Erosion and Wear: Solids such as sand and silt can cause wear on pipelines, pumps, and separators, leading to increased maintenance costs and potential failure of equipment.
• Plugging and Blockages: Solids accumulation in pipelines and wellbores can cause blockages, reducing the efficiency of hydrocarbon flow and potentially causing production downtime.
• Flow Assurance Problems: Solids can form emulsions and sludges, complicating separation processes and increasing operational costs.
• Corrosion: Solids can act as abrasives that damage protective coatings and promote the formation of corrosive compounds, accelerating equipment degradation.
• Environmental and Safety Concerns: Improper handling of solids can lead to spills, leaks, and other hazardous situations that impact both the environment and worker safety.

To effectively manage solids production and enhance process optimization, ScanWell offers a sidestream-based Digital Flowing Filtration Unit (FFU). This portable, high-pressure, customizable system integrates advanced technologies for accurate solids mapping and characterization.

1. Advanced Solids Mapping: The FFU captures highly representative samples of solids from various process points, allowing operators to monitor solids production and distribution across the system.
2. Comprehensive Analysis: The FFU system is equipped with digital pressure sensors for differential pressure monitoring and a Coriolis metering system for precise flow and solids ratio measurement.
3. Mineralogical and Textural Insights: Offsite analysis of the samples provides detailed information on the mineralogical and textural composition of the solids, helping to identify their source and develop effective mitigation strategies.
4. Sand Screen and Process Module Evaluation: The FFU is commonly used on a well-by-well basis to evaluate sand screen performance or assess the effectiveness of topside process modules in handling solids.
5. In-Situ Verification with ATEX FLIR Camera: The FFU can be paired with an ATEX FLIR camera for real-time monitoring and verification of solids accumulation in production vessels, improving the accuracy of solids management strategies.

Optimizing Solids Management

• Reduce Maintenance Costs: Identifying and addressing solids-related issues early prevents equipment wear and damage, reducing maintenance and replacement costs.
• Enhance Production Efficiency: Better solids management ensures smoother flow and less downtime, improving overall production rates.
• Improve Flow Assurance: By identifying solids sources and developing targeted mitigation strategies, flow assurance issues are minimized.
• Ensure Safety and Environmental Compliance: Proper solids handling and management reduce the risk of spills, leaks, and other hazardous incidents, ensuring safer operations and environmental protection.