Water Separation Need

Production streams from wells contain formation water mixed with oil and gas. Free water causes pipeline corrosion, forms hydrates blocking flowlines, affects downstream separation, and adds unnecessary volume to process equipment. WKO packages remove bulk water early in the process protecting infrastructure and improving efficiency.

Package Configuration

Vertical or horizontal separator with gas-liquid inlet, water settling zone using gravity, hydrocarbon outlet to downstream processing, water drain to disposal system, and level controls managing inventory. Skid-mounted packages include instrumentation and piping ready for field installation.

Operating Principle

Inlet momentum reduction allows gravity separation. Water being denser than oil or gas settles to bottom. Residence time provides adequate settling. Coalescing elements enhance small droplet removal. Water drains automatically or on-demand while hydrocarbons continue to processing.

Design Pressure

Operates at wellhead or gathering pressure typically 100-1000 psig. Compact design suits wellsite or central facility installation. Materials handle production fluids including trace H2S and CO2. Relief valves protect against overpressure scenarios.

Material Selection

Carbon steel for sweet service. NACE materials where H2S present. Internal coatings in water zones prevent corrosion. Compact vessel construction reduces weight for transport and installation in remote locations.

Applications

Wellhead water removal before gathering lines, central battery inlet separation, gas plant feed cleanup, condensate dewatering, and any production stream needing bulk water removal. Common in fields with high water cut or corrosive produced water.

Level Control

Interface detection maintains hydrocarbon-water boundary. Water dump valves activate based on level preventing overflow. High-level alarms protect against water carryover to hydrocarbon outlet. Simple controls suit unmanned remote installations.

Performance Benefits

Prevents pipeline corrosion by removing water early. Reduces hydrate treatment chemical usage. Protects downstream equipment from water damage. Lowers disposal costs by separating water close to source. Extends pipeline and equipment life.

Package Advantages

Factory-assembled and tested reducing field installation time. Compact footprint suits space-constrained locations. Standardized designs available for common applications. Transportable between locations as production areas change.

Construction Standards

Design per ASME Section VIII or API 12J for production equipment. Materials suitable for production fluids. Skid structural design for lifting and transport. Complete package documentation with capacity calculations.

ERGIL water knockout packages provide reliable free water removal protecting production systems and reducing operating costs in oil and gas field operations.