A sand management system for mature offshore production facilities
Ian McKay A , Paul Russ A and Jack Mohr AEsso Australia
The APPEA Journal 48(1) 13-20 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ07002
Published: 2008
Abstract
ExxonMobil subsidiary Esso Australia Pty Ltd has implemented a sand management system to minimise the impact of sand to its operations in the Bass Strait. Some of these facilities have been in operation for more than 30 years and no downhole sand control was installed during original drilling completions. Over time, with increased water production, sand production has become more problematic.
This paper examines the strategies used to minimise the impact of sand production on facilities including the impact of corrosion and erosion on downhole, offshore topsides, pipeline and onshore plant infrastructure. The sand management system includes detailed operational instructions for flowing wells, monitoring sand production, and installing retrofit sand control where required. The system also defines a management structure with assigned responsibilities to ensure that operational guidelines are followed and continuous improvement opportunities are implemented.
Ian McKay joined ExxonMobil in 2001 commencing work in the corrosion, materials and inspection disciplines. He is currently working on reservoir modelling studies for the Gippsland Basin. As part of his previous job role in subsurface engineering he coordinated the Sand Management Team for Bass Strait operations. He holds a Bachelor of Materials Engineering from Monash University and a Masters of Petroleum Engineering from the University of New South Wales. Ian.mckay@exxonmobil.com |
Paul Russ has worked with ExxonMobil for 21 years predominantly in the corrosion, inspection and materials fields with special assignments in water-handling. He is a global Subject Matter Expert for ExxonMobil Upstream in the field of corrosion and inspection. He graduated from Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University in secondary metallurgy and holds an MSc and PhD in Corrosion Science and Engineering from Sir John Cass School, London under Professor L. Shreir. He previously worked for British Gas in the North Sea and was a Senior Scientist at Research Station. He holds memberships with corrosion associations in Australia, UK and USA (NACE). Paul.r.russ@exxonmobil.com |
Jack Mohr has worked with ExxonMobil for 11 years in completion and workover design and operations that includes sand control design, well performance analysis, tubular design, and well production equipment. He is the wellwork and logistics operations superintendent at Esso Australia Pty Ltd. He holds BS and MS degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Brigham Young University, and a PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University. Jack.w.mohr@exxonmobil.com |
