SONAT_WUBS-PRS-OPS-020 (Rev.1.

0) - Page 1

Tank Farm Management

Client Sonatrach Onshore Operation X Gas X

Region Algeria Offshore Operation Oil X
Contract No 03/SH.EP.FOR/2001 Underbalanced Drilling X H2O
Document No SONAT_WUBS-PRS-OPS-020 Production Testing H2S
Rev No & Date Well Services CO2

Purpose This chapter outlines the policies and procedures that ensure safe working practices whilst
managing the tank farm system.

Scope These policies and procedures apply to all Company employees.

In this document
Topic See Page
General Guidelines 2
Hazard Types & Prevention 4
Tank Farm Management Procedures 5

General This document defines the procedures for:

Guidelines
• Efficiently monitoring the fluid and solid returns from the separation system
• Safe handling and management of the produced the produced solids and fluids
• Sonatrach to operate tank farm facilities and shipping to rig pits or pipe line

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Tank Farm Management

General Guidelines
Tank Farm & To obtain a greater retention time within the surface separation system and to assist with
Fluid Handling the increase in well bore production during drilling a fluid storage or tank farm system is
Philosophy always recommended.

The Weatherford system is usually deployed when a flammable drilling fluid is to be used
and expected reservoir crude or condensate can be expected at surface. This means that
the overall surface system can remain in a closed loop and therefore reduces the
possibility of vapors being released and a fire or explosion occurring.

The overall volume of the system varies, however expected production vs. well bore
drawdown has to be calculated together with the required amount of fluid needed for
circulation as well as the maximum allowances that fluid export pumps can cope with.

The tank farm systems are generally configured with ability to extend the overall separation
capabilities of the system also. On the Sonatrach project it is planned to transfer all
cuttings from the 3phase separator to the first tank in the system, the first tank has been
manufactured with weirs so that additional solids settling and clean fluid carry over can be
established.

Additional to the weirs all the tanks are connected by cascade lines so that all the tanks
can equalize at approximately 65% up each tank. Although the tanks are designed with 6”
cascade lines the tanks should not be flowed into in tandem with high fluid rate returns.

Note: For the Sonatrach Project System familiarization and flow process please refer to the
Flow Process Diagram SONAT_WUBS-DWG-PFD-001 or Solids Handling
Diagram SONAT_WUBS-DWG-DOC-004

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 SONAT_WUBS-PRS-OPS-020 (Rev.1.0) - Page 3

Tank Farm Management

Hazards
Purpose This section describes common hazards that could arise whilst transferring and handling
fluids and solids in the tank farm system.

Types of hazards You may encounter, but should ensure all measures are taken to prevent these types of
hazards, whilst transferring and handling fluids and solids through out the system:

• Solids are suspended in the fluid and exceed the allowable limitations for the
project.
• Solids transferred to the waste pits contain too much drilling fluid or crude.
• Valve alignment on the tanks is incorrect and fluid circulation is stopped to the rig
pumps.
• To many valves are opened allowing tanks to equalize through the fluid manifold,
possibly contaminating manifold with cuttings.
• Inlet valves are closed leaving only the cascade lines to cope with any excessive
fluid gains and possibility of over-pressuring shipping lines.
• Sight glasses become plugged giving incorrect level indications. Although for the
Sonatrach project CRD (Mud Logging Company of Sonatrach) provides the float
sensor to read first tank levels)
• Export pump fails to export fluid gains quick enough, potential to flood the whole
system.

Preventative Hazard preventative measures that should be either considered or taken during the tank
Measures farm management process:

• The overall volume of the system should allow for efficient retention time and
solids settling
• The solids transfer from settling tank #1 to the waste pits should be monitored
visually at regular periods during the cuttings transfer.
• The system shall be constantly monitored by the designated personnel to ensure
that all valves are correctly aligned and that all sight glasses are functioning
correctly.
• Two tanks should be open to solids inflow and fluid inflow at all times, the system
would not cope with all production to a single tank at a time.
• The tank farm is suitably sized to allow for unexpected levels of cuttings and fluid
as to not fill the system completely.
• Regular BS&W samples will ensure that export limitations are met.
• A back up export pump is provided to ensure double the amount fluid export
volume potential.

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Tank Farm Management

Tank Farm Management Procedures

Sonatrach A Senior Operator is dedicated to oversee the tank farm system. Any unusual signs that
Project Tank the system is not operating correctly should be brought to the attention of the Wellsite
Farm Supervisor or Supervisor so that immediate action can be made. LEL measures should be
Management taken regular to measure any gases around this area.
Procedure
Step Action (during drilling operations)
Ensure all sight glasses are open and levels indicated, ensure that the DAQ
1
system has a static fluid volume prior to commencing operations
On the go ahead to commence drilling, clean fluid will be required to feed the rig
pumps
Open the outlet valve on tank #3 and align the clean fluid to the transfer skid,
2
switch on a transfer pump to feed the rig pumps
Ensuring that the remainder of the fluid manifold valves are correctly positioned,
3
open tank #1 and tank #2 fluid inlet valves and also the solids line into tank #1
Note Ref: Operational Start Up Procedure SONAT_WUBS-PRS-OPS-009

4 Circulated fluid shall return from the separator and enter tanks #1 and tank #2

Ensure that the level sensors to the DAQ system are correctly operating in the last
5
compartment of tank #1
Once a fluid level is established in tank #1 close the inlet valve leaving the solids
6
line open
Commence the solids pump at a low variable speed to constantly transfer cuttings
7
and fluid to tank #1
Note Ref: Solids Handling Procedure AFPC_WUBS-PRS-OPS-023
Circulation should have been established, in the event that the rig pump is drawing
8 fluid from tank #3 quicker than it can equalize, open the outlet valve on tank #4 to
assist feeding the pump until the circulation stabilizes
At this point tanks #3 and tank #4 shall be feeding the rig pump with clean
9
circulated fluid
The system design is to allow tank #1 to receive all cuttings and slurry with clean
10
fluid spilling over the weir
Tank #2 should receive all circulated fluid from the vessel, tank #3 can be utilized
11
to receive if over production from the reservoir is achieved
However tank #3 should be constantly used for the circulated clean fluid to the rig
12
pumps
Tank #4 should be additional storage volume eventually taking up any over
13
production from the reservoir
In the event that over production of reservoir fluids is achieved, align the tank #4
14 outlet via the transfer pump skid, switch on a transfer pump to feed the export
pump
Ref: Crude Oil / Drilling Fluid Export Procedure SONATC_WUBS-PRS-OPS-
Note
023
At regular periods, solids tank #1 should be dumped to the waste pit, monitor the
15
cuttings and shutdown if too much fluid is being transferred from the system

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 SONAT_WUBS-PRS-OPS-020 (Rev.1.0) - Page 5

Tank Farm Management

Maintain close contact with the DAQ personnel for accurate active fluid
16
measurements and reports

17 Ensure that the N2 purge system is always in use during drilling operations
Ref: Drawings & Diagrams, Flow Process Diagram SONAT_WUBS-DWG-
18
PFD-001 or Solids Handling Diagram SONAT_WUBS-DWG-DOC-004
Note

To be signed if document SONAT_WUBS-PRS-OPS-020 has been reviewed and accepted by all parties
concerned.

Weatherford Sonatrach ENAFOR

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