According to Emerson, the output from oil and gas wells often contains varying amounts of entrained sand that can pose a serious erosion risk and lead to equipment damage, loss of containment, environmental risk, costly repairs, curtailed production and reduced profits. Effective sand management depends on knowing the amount of entrained sand flowing through the topside piping infrastructure in real time.
Many facilities rely on ‘grab-samples’ to characterise and quantify the entrained sand, which only measures the entrained sand for that one moment in time. This method is ineffective, as sand production can fluctuate, posing safety risks to personnel and equipment through delayed decision-making. Failure to act quickly exposes assets to excessive erosion, increasing maintenance expenses and the risk of unexpected shutdowns.
The Rosemount SAM42 Acoustic Particle Monitor is said to address these issues by sending data to staff on-site and to asset management systems via a Modbus RTU RS485 digital wired connection, where it is used to adjust production flows as needed. The device can be installed without pipe modifications, simplifying field deployment and reducing maintenance costs.
The monitor is expected to detect low concentrations of entrained sand in challenging conditions. Real-time data helps minimise erosion risk, allowing producers to maximise throughput without compromising asset safety.
The Rosemount SAM42 is available in two versions that are designed to accommodate pipe surface temperatures between -40 degrees Fahrenheit (-40 Celsius) and 554 F (290 C), making it suitable for oil and gas applications and geothermal energy production. It can be mounted on pipes with diameters between 2-48 inches and is rated for use in hazardous areas with Ex d (Flameproof) approvals, including ATEX, IECEx, USA, and Canada; and Ex i (Intrinsic Safety) approvals, including ATEX, IECEx.