Improving Performance with STEP Survey™

APS’ unique STEP (Site Test for Enhanced Processing)™ Survey is a logical and methodical three ‘STEP’ process to problem solve, test solutions, and engineer a response. It evaluates production chemistry, process engineering and production operations to determine the optimum solution, to maximise production capacity from existing resources.

What differentiates the STEP Survey™ from other facility reviews is APS’ ability to characterise and quantify the impact of any potential process optimization in real time using real production chemistry.  This is only possible using APS’ patented ‘Dynamic Flow Flotation Test’ (DFT) test rig.  The equipment enables highly trained APS personnel to fully evaluate and illustrate the potential impact of full-scale upgrades and thereby de-risk potential capital investment.    

On site data collection, including:

  • Produced Fluid Characteristics (composition & emulsion tendencies)

  • Production Chemistry (water treatment chemistry, phase separation, flow assurance
    & flow integrity)

  • Process Configuration

  • Equipment Design & Performance (fluid stream characteristics,
    design v actual, design limitations)

  • System Operation (operating practices, troubleshooting & maintenance)

Review of chemical and
process data, including:

  • Root cause analysis of issues
    using information gathered

  • Process performance review
    using an ATEX Zone 1 certified
    Visual Particle Analyser (ViPA),
    to determine particle size
    distribution, oil droplet, solid
    particle & gas bubble concentration
    trends in live fluids

  • Produced Water Treatability
    testing for Best Available
    Techniques (BAT) and Best Environmental Practices (BEP)
    using static jar testing and patented Dynamic Flow Flotation Testing

  • Real-time data collection correlated
    to system process conditions

  • Determine synergy between production chemistry and
    enhanced gravity separation

  • Determine if individual or multiple
    gas bubble size range is required

Detailed design treatment options, including:

  • Development treatment strategy
    and engineer solutions to address essential management of the challenging fluids

  • Identify optimum bubble sizes,
    range and injection locations

  • Small-scale offshore technology assessment de-risks investment
    in large scale MiFU pilot trials

  • Detailed client report

  • Fully costed options for multiple
    rental (opex) or permanent
    upgrades (capex) solutions

  • Pilot unit trials de-risks capital projects for permanently installed solutions