Integrated Approach to Solving Sand Issues at Onshore Terminal

Abstract

Lately, one of the terminals in Peninsular Malaysia receives hydrocarbon with fine sand content from multiple offshore feeders. Majority of the sand particles size is below 16 µm with the presence of mercury and TENORM. Sand accumulates, causes erosion, and clogs the equipment and instrumentation devices installed. It has also impacted gas and condensate export specifications. The paper presents a techno-economic evaluation of sand management solution for the terminal to meet an export specification of maximum 5 µm sand particle size both in gas and condensate stream. The evaluation started with sand data establishment such as sand particle size distribution and sand concentration via online sand sampling. Sand Transport and Erosion Modelling Study was conducted using combination of PETRONAS owned Sand Suite Technology and commercial software for quantitative evaluation of sand mapping, deposition, and erosion within the facility. A total of eleven (11) proven sand technologies at various locations were screened and four (4) technologies were selected as a basis to develop solution options. Via Concept Select Methodology, the evaluations conducted based on Risk Ranking Criteria, CAPEX, OPEX and Schedule. The estimated performance for the selected option was quantified and sand disposal strategy was determined. An In-Vessel Cyclonic Device is proposed in the existing Condensate Separators and Cartridge Filter at upstream of the Condensate Metering. Gas System will be provided with new Cartridge Filters. These technologies are commercially proven to meet an export specification of 5µm. The proven technology for this application does not differ much for the last few years. New technologies are recommended to be deployed in the terminal and the performance of these technologies are quantified and compared. As the terminal was not originally designed to receive sand, sampling improvement is also proposed to collect more sand data prior to next engineering phase and to measure performance of the proposed technologies. The results from this study show that current technology could provide a solution to manage fine sand both in gas and condensate. PETRONAS in-house technologies are compared and could be a better option in reducing OPEX and operators’ exposure to hazardous components thus minimizing the impact of transported fine sand on surface equipment in general.