Multiphase Challenge

Modern production often delivers variable mixtures - high gas with liquid slugs, oil-dominated with water cuts, or balanced three-phase flows. Multiphase separators accommodate these variations separating components regardless of inlet composition maintaining stable operation across changing conditions.

Vessel Design

Horizontal configuration with extended length provides separation zones for each phase. Inlet section handles momentum and initial gas breakout. Middle zone allows oil-water stratification. Outlet section ensures clean phase exits. Internal baffles and coalescing plates enhance separation efficiency.

Gravity Separation

Density difference drives separation. Gas lightest rises to top. Oil middle density floats on water. Water heaviest settles to bottom. Adequate retention time allows complete disengagement typically 10-30 minutes depending on fluid properties.

Operating Pressure

Design accommodates production pressure typically 200-1500 psig. Pressure affects gas solubility and phase behavior. Control system maintains optimal separation pressure balancing liquid recovery against gas evolution.

Material Construction

Carbon steel for sweet production. NACE materials for H2S service. Corrosion-resistant internals in water zones. Sand-resistant inlet components where solids present. Design handles erosive and corrosive production environments.

Interface Control

Dual level control manages oil-water interface and total liquid level. Capacitance or nuclear instruments detect phase boundaries. Controllers modulate dump valves maintaining proper separation. Advanced systems handle rapid composition changes.

Applications

Offshore platform primary separation, subsea production handling, unconventional well production, enhanced recovery operations, and any field producing variable gas-oil-water ratios. Critical where production characteristics change frequently.

Flow Variation

Design handles turndown from 20-100% of rated capacity. Accommodates gas-liquid ratio changes from gas wells to oil wells. Manages water cut variations from dry oil to 90% water. Robust separation across operational envelope.

Performance Benefits

Single vessel handles three-phase separation reducing equipment count and plot space. Adapts to changing production without modifications. Lower capital cost than separate two-phase stages. Simplified operation and maintenance.

Construction Standards

Design per ASME Section VIII for pressure service. Internal components per process requirements. Relief protection for all scenarios. Complete documentation with performance guarantees and operating range specifications.

ERGIL multiphase separators provide flexible three-phase separation handling variable production streams in challenging oil and gas operations.