Changes

==Separators and heater treaters==

==Separators and heater treaters==

Once liquids are brought to the surface, the oil, gas, and water must be separated for ease of measurement and transportation. A ''separator'' is a vessel used to separate liquid from gas. In some cases, the liquid may be additionally separated into individual oil and water streams. A separator is commonly given any of the following names:

Once liquids are brought to the surface, the oil, gas, and water must be separated for ease of measurement and transportation. A ''separator'' is a vessel used to separate liquid from gas. In some cases, the liquid may be additionally separated into individual oil and water streams. A separator is commonly given any of the following names:

To accomplish the separation, the separator is usually designed to control and dissipate the well stream flowing energy. Once gas and liquid velocities are slow enough, gravity causes the liquid to settle and the gas to rise. The size of the vessel must be such that adequate time is allowed for this settling to occur before the fluid leaves the separator. If water is to be separated from oil, then the liquid residence time depends on the volume of the fluid being handled and the specific gravity of the two liquids. Many times, a mist extractor composed of vanes, mesh pads, or a cyclonic passage is used to remove residual liquid droplets from the gas stream.

To accomplish the separation, the separator is usually designed to control and dissipate the well stream flowing energy. Once gas and liquid velocities are slow enough, gravity causes the liquid to settle and the gas to rise. The size of the vessel must be such that adequate time is allowed for this settling to occur before the fluid leaves the separator. If water is to be separated from oil, then the liquid residence time depends on the volume of the fluid being handled and the specific gravity of the two liquids. Many times, a mist extractor composed of vanes, mesh pads, or a cyclonic passage is used to remove residual liquid droplets from the gas stream.

There are three types of separators: ''vertical'' (Figure 2), ''horizontal'' (Figure 3), and ''spherical'' (Figure 4). Horizontal separators are found in both the single tube and double tube design. Advantages of the vertical separator include

There are three types of separators: ''vertical'' ([[:file:surface-production-equipment_fig2.png|Figure 2]]), ''horizontal'' ([[:file:surface-production-equipment_fig3.png|Figure 3]]), and ''spherical'' ([[:file:surface-production-equipment_fig4.png|Figure 4]]). Horizontal separators are found in both the single tube and double tube design. Advantages of the vertical separator include

* Good for predominantly liquid streams

* Good for predominantly liquid streams

* Occupies little space (small footprint)

* Occupies little space (small footprint)

* Easily cleaned of sand and mud

* Easily cleaned of sand and mud

Advantages of the horizontal separator are

Advantages of the horizontal separator are

* Compact, small size

* Compact, small size

Figure 5 shows a typical vertical heater treater. Notice that a heater treater is simply a separator in which a firetube has been placed to heat the liquid mixture as it enters the vessel. This heating of the oil and water mixture reduces the viscosity and promotes the separation of the two phases. The fuel for the firetube is usually taken from the gas produced from the well.

[[:file:surface-production-equipment_fig5.png|Figure 5]] shows a typical vertical heater treater. Notice that a heater treater is simply a separator in which a firetube has been placed to heat the liquid mixture as it enters the vessel. This heating of the oil and water mixture reduces the viscosity and promotes the separation of the two phases. The fuel for the firetube is usually taken from the gas produced from the well.

 

==Tank batteries and metering==

==Tank batteries and metering==