When oil is produced from loosely consolidated formations, significant quantities of sand / solids are

often produced and deposited in surface equipment such as horizontal or vertical separators, slug catchers and free water knockout drums. The sand /solids deposits, if not removed, can accumulate to

considerable depths, especially in the “inlet processing zone” of the vessel, leading to a reduction in separation efficiency.

When the rate of deposition / accumulation is high and thus removal is required on a frequent basis, a “sand jetting” or “sand flushing” system can be used to remove these deposits. Within this system, the sand / solids are fluidised by means of “jetting” high-pressure water through rows of specially designed nozzles in manifolds along the length of the vessel.

Dependant on the available “jet” water, sand loading, physical properties and size of the vessel, the system can be designed to “wash” sections of the vessel independently or the whole vessel simultaneously. The system can be constructed so that the flush is also undertaken on a number of different levels of the vessel wall.

Advantages of a Sand Jet System:

• Efficient removal of sand / solids from a process vessel.
• On-line operation.
• Separately manifolded or whole vessel design.
• Low installed cost.
• Various materials.
• Low water requirement.
• Easy to install in existing separators.
• Reduces / eliminates shut downs for sand / solids removal.

Applications:

• Separators.
• Scrubbers.
• Slug catchers.
• Flash drums.
• Degassers.
• Knock-out drums.
• Enhanced oil recovery systems.