CETCO Oilfield Services Company has successfully implemented a technology to prevent sand issues, which can potentially disrupt production in Petronas’ Tukau field, near Miri in East Malaysia.
Working with BJ Services, CETCO Oilfield Services utilized a desanding system that extracts sand from the production fluids upstream of the field’s TKDP-A platform’s production facilities, as part of a clean up of two wells.
BJ Services’ coiled tubing and nitrogen services were deployed from Petronas’ TKDP-A platform to bring sand to the surface, where it was successfully extracted from the produced fluid by CETCO Oilfield Services’ cyclonic desander.
“This project demonstrated that by combining our technology with the expertise of BJ Services, we can provide an effective clean up system for wells where entrained sand is an issue,” explained Thomas Blyth, CETCO Oilfield Services. “By removing the sand upstream of the platform’s production facilities, we are able to protect valuable equipment and avoid unnecessary downtime.”
The 1500 psi cyclonic desander utilized in the Tukau field is up to 98% effective in sand removal.
“This project highlights how we can add value to the services we offer to operators by working with partners such as CETCO Oilfield Services, who provide technologies that complement those of BJ Services,” said Asa Laba, operations manager for BJ Services. “The sand removed by the CETCO system could potentially have been very costly for Petronas in terms of equipment damage and downtime. Now that we have proven our technologies can work effectively together, desanding is a service we are keen to promote.”
When a significant amount of sand is present in the well returns, fluids are diverted to the CETCO package from the wellhead. Fluids enter the cyclonic sand trap to knock out the majority of the sand. The desander then separates sand by using centrifugal motion, forcing sand to the sides of the vessel from where it then drops down due to gravity. Solids free gas and fluid then pass out of the top of the vessel. The sand and other solids are forced out of the lower section of the desander under pressure and directed to a 90 bbl surge vessel and sand screening box for further cleaning prior to disposal.
“The project successfully cleaned out the sand that was causing issues with production from the two Tukau wells,” continued Thomas, “and it was a productive demonstration of how our desanding equipment can quickly be deployed and utilized offshore. There has been significant interest in this service from throughout the Southeast Asia region and from other oil producing regions around the world.”