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  | isbn    = 0891816607

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There are three major components of surface production equipment:

There are three major components of surface production equipment:

[[:file:surface-production-equipment_fig1.png|Figure 1]] shows a typical wellhead for a flowing well. Notice that a choke is provided to control the rate of production from the well in addition to the tubing wing valve, which provides for a complete shut-off of the production. The choke can be either fixed or variable in size. The choke is nothing more than a small orifice, usually from 1/8 to 3/4 in. in diameter, that restricts the flow rate.

[[:file:surface-production-equipment_fig1.png|Figure 1]] shows a typical wellhead for a flowing well. Notice that a choke is provided to control the rate of production from the well in addition to the tubing wing valve, which provides for a complete shut-off of the production. The choke can be either fixed or variable in size. The choke is nothing more than a small orifice, usually from 1/8 to 3/4 in. in diameter, that restricts the flow rate.

[[file:surface-production-equipment_fig1.png|thumb|{{figure number|1}}Typical wellhead for a flowing well with a single-wing, single-completion threaded manifold.]]

[[file:surface-production-equipment_fig1.png|thumb|300px|{{figure number|1}}Typical wellhead for a flowing well with a single-wing, single-completion threaded manifold.]]

Other valves are present on the side of the wellhead. These are called ''casing valves'' and they provide access to the various annulii between casing strings and tubing. Normally, the wellhead is fitted with pressure gauges for monitoring pressure within the different annulii and in the tubing.

Other valves are present on the side of the wellhead. These are called ''casing valves'' and they provide access to the various annulii between casing strings and tubing. Normally, the wellhead is fitted with pressure gauges for monitoring pressure within the different annulii and in the tubing.

* ''P''_tf = flowing tubing head pressure (psia)

* ''P''_tf = flowing tubing head pressure (psia)

* ''d'' = choke size (in.)

* ''d'' = choke size (in.)

* ''G'' = gas specific gravity

* ''G'' = gas specific [[gravity]]

* ''T'' = wellhead temperature (°R)

* ''T'' = wellhead temperature (°R)

==Separators and heater treaters==

==Separators and heater treaters==

 

[[file:surface-production-equipment_fig2.png|thumb|{{figure number|2}}Vertical separator.]]

surface-production-equipment_fig2.png|{{figure number|2}}Vertical separator.

 

surface-production-equipment_fig3.png|{{figure number|3}}Horizontal separator.

[[file:surface-production-equipment_fig3.png|thumb|{{figure number|3}}Horizontal separator.]]

surface-production-equipment_fig4.png|{{figure number|4}}Spherical separator.

 

surface-production-equipment_fig5.png|{{figure number|5}}Vertical heater treater.

[[file:surface-production-equipment_fig4.png|thumb|{{figure number|4}}Spherical separator.]]

 

[[file:surface-production-equipment_fig5.png|thumb|{{figure number|5}}Vertical heater treater.]]

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:

* Compact, small size

* Compact, small size

[[: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.

[[: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==

[[file:surface-production-equipment_fig6.png|thumb|{{figure number|6}}Orifice meter for gas measurement.]]

[[file:surface-production-equipment_fig6.png|thumb|300px|{{figure number|6}}Orifice meter for gas measurement.]]

Tanks must be provided to hold both oil and water for shipping or disposal. Usually, at least two oil tanks are used, one for shipping and one for filling. The volume of oil being shipped is sometimes determined by simply measuring the height of the fluid in the tank, or “strapping” the tank. Many of the more modern production facilities have lease automatic custody transfer (LACT) units installed. These stations continuously measure the flow into the shipping point and periodically sample the product being shipped so that oil gravity, temperature, pressure, and water content are known. The metering in this case is done with a positive displacement meter.

Tanks must be provided to hold both oil and water for shipping or disposal. Usually, at least two oil tanks are used, one for shipping and one for filling. The volume of oil being shipped is sometimes determined by simply measuring the height of the fluid in the tank, or “strapping” the tank. Many of the more modern production facilities have lease automatic custody transfer (LACT) units installed. These stations continuously measure the flow into the shipping point and periodically sample the product being shipped so that oil gravity, temperature, pressure, and water content are known. The metering in this case is done with a positive displacement meter.

[[Category:Production engineering methods]]

[[Category:Production engineering methods]]