The production of sand particles in oil wells can result in severe problems with regard to erosion in valves or bends as well as possible collapse of the reservoir, and filling up of separators. This paper will discuss the erosion based sand monitoring system, and how this has
helped field operators across the world to operate within optimized, but safe production limits to avoid these problems. The system has operational experience from the last seven years from both topside and subsea completed wells, and field data from these installations will be given. The paper will also present data from different laboratory tests. Finally, the latest erosion correlation model developed together with a major Norwegian oil company will be discussed. This model gives the correlation between the probe erosion and other critical components in the system, e.g. bends.