Publications

Peciko is an offshore gas field operated by Total E&P Indonésie since 1999. Following natural depletion, Peciko field development was faced with the challenges of maximizing gas production in an operating environment where sand production could not be avoided. At the time sand production became an issue, the Acoustic Sand Detection (ASD) tool was the only surface sand monitoring tool available for sand management. Two wellhead gas leak incidents and massive sand recovery from the Free Water Knock Out (FWKO) vessels in mid 2012 triggered implementation of “Nil sand policy” to review all control points and to ensure safe production. As a consequence, the sand monitoring campaign with ASD tools resulted in well choking and restricted production due to sand control, increasing up to 35% of total field production. The implementation of “Nil sand policy” also impacted the shallow reservoir perforation strategy which was reduced by 50%. Various efforts were carried out to improve and establish a more comprehensive sand monitoring system using an integrated sand management approach to address the following sand production issues: • Sand free rate policy with improved sand free limit defined for SIMOPS and NON-SIMOPS • Utilization of modified Sand Filter equipment as portable de-sanding facilities • Installation of fixed ASD with remote monitoring and diagnostic system. • Improvement of well production ramp up and ramp down procedures. • Sand Risk mapping and sand recovery verification Production loss due to sand production control measures was remediated by more than 60% through a combination of sand filters and improved sand rate measurement. With a new sand management strategy implemented, Peciko production has stabilized again with minor sand recovery at surface facilities. Production curtailment due to sand buildup was successfully reduced back to normal levels, around 2% of field production. The achievement was accomplished through the combined efforts of a cross functional team, implementing new technologies and procedures selected and verified through field testing.