separators

Facilities sand management is tasked with the goal of ensuring sustained hydrocarbon production when particulate solids are present in well fluids, while minimizing the impact of the produced solids on surface equipment. How to do that?

In this second article of a three-part series, methods for improved quantification of operating performances of the gas gravity separation, the mist extraction, and the liquid gravity separation sections of gas/liquid separators are discussed.

Many two-phase and three-phase separators in the oil and gas industry continue to underperform. This article explores the weaknesses in different sizing methodologies and proposes manageable approaches to quantifying each.

In an SPE webinar, “Foaming in Separators: Handling and Operation,” Wally Georgie, principal consultant at Maxoil Solutions, presented an overview of foam generation and how the design of processes and chemical management can exacerbate its detrimental effects in separators.

Setting optimal surface separation pressures are crucial for maximizing the surface liquid production from the wellstream feed. Where separator tests are not available, empirical calculations are often used, but with limitations. A method suitable across many conditions is proposed.

Separations technology-related content has been expanded and made available to SPE members through the efforts of the Separations Technology Technical Section.

Recent activities around career planning for facilities engineers led me to a list of "must read" books. The recent ATCE generated two revelations. As an industry, we do a poor job of managing major capital projects, and we do not know how to design separators.

At the end of the day, when you are working with heavy oil, the question is how to design your system, including both the layout and the functional aspects of various equipment.

A realistic computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation of a field three-phase separator has been developed. Further, a useful approach to estimating the particle size distribution in oilfield separators was developed. The predicted separation efficiencies are consistent with oilfield experience.

ATCE included expanded content for project, facilities and construction professionals. Panels discussed our performance in managing megaprojects and our challenges in designing separation equipment. Two technical paper sessions were also included.