Clariant Oil Services Demulsifier Provides Effective Separation for UK Heavy Oil
Benefits
- Increased oil production rates
- Reduced processing costs for refinery
- Reduced environmental impact due to lower oil-in-water concentration
Background
A North Sea field had pre-qualified a demulsifier for use once water breakthrough occurred. Following breakthrough, it became apparent that the pre-selected product from another service company did not perform under actual field conditions, resulting in high export BS&Ws and high oil-in-water readings. Field trials were therefore conducted with a range of products to determine the most effective chemical solution.
Challenges to effective treatment included:
- Low residence time in separators – undersized for duty
- Low API crude
- Presence of drilling solids in system
The demulsifier initially selected performed well; however, it also experienced pumping challenges during the cooler winter months, thereby providing unreliable injection. These challenges were overcome through the use of Clariant Oil Services’ PHASETREAT 07-371.
Clariant Oil Services Solutions and Value Delivered
PHASETREAT 07-371, a demulsifier developed by Clariant Oil Services, was trialed into the production trains separators with favorable results, including:
- Reduction in export oil BS&W
- Improved speed of water drop
- Reduced oil-in-water levels
The product also offered a more favorable viscosity profile and cold temperature stability compared with the incumbent product.
Although crude separation proved to be a significant issue for the operator prior to injection of PHASETREAT 07-371 (with frequent process trips caused by separator level control issues, partly caused by poor incumbent product performance), since PHASETREAT 07-371 was introduced the plant has benefited from ever increasing stability coupled with improved export and overboard quality.
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