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Pertamina Hulu Sanga Sanga (PHSS), managed by Pertamina Hulu Indonesia Zone 9, is an upstream oil and gas area in East Kalimantan developed since 1968. PHSS comprises several fields, including Mutiara, Pamaguan, Badak, Nilam, and Semberah. Sand production is a common issue, especially in mature fields, affecting about 30% of PHSS’s total oil production. Various methods have been applied to manage sand production and maintain critical production rates, including sand screens, chemical treatments, and, most recently, surface desanders. Surface desanders separate sand from production fluids using a cyclone separator, allowing safe handling of sand-laden fluids.

The first application of a surface desander was in well N-XXX, which faced sand issues despite the use of sand screens. Due to well limitations, surface desanders provided an effective alternative. Installed in October 2023, the desander enabled production without critical sand-related problems. Over four months, production increased from 700 bfpd/70 bopd to 1200 bfpd/150 bopd, with 5-7 kg of sand collected daily and no equipment integrity issues. This success shows surface desanders are effective in maximizing production rates when other sand control methods are limited by well conditions.