This paper is intended to be part of the continuous development and adaptation of mechanical-cylindrical induced-gas-flotation (IGF) technology that meets the demands of today's offshore production practices as the best-available technology (BAT). The focus of this paper relates theory to practice for this new, yet proven, technology, and presents the real-life example of one of its applications. This paper presents the problem-solving and selection process adopted by Chevron Corp.'s North America Operations Team at the Typhoon production facility, located in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico. The paper compares alternative solutions, and the economic advantages and disadvantages of each. It also provides an in-depth analysis of the performance achieved after installation of the dual cell on the basis of the theoretical model developed for this equipment.
This paper is intended as part of the continuous development of WEMCO® Dual-Cell Cylindrical Depurator® and adaptation of Induced Gas Floatation technology to meet the demands of today's offshore production practices as the best-available-technology (BAT). The focus of this paper is relating theory to practice for this new and proven technology and the real life example of one of its applications. This paper is presenting the problem solving and selection process adopted by ChevronTexaco North America's Operations Team at Typhoon Production Facility, located in deep water Gulf of Mexico. The paper compares alternative solutions and economical advantages and disadvantages of each alternative. It also provides an in-depth analysis of the performance achieved after installation of the Dual-Cell, based on the theoretical model developed for this equipment. Introduction Produced water production is by far the most challenging problem for the mature oil fields of our time. The actual production numbers are unknown, but various literatures have reported an estimated 210 million bwpd on a global scale. American Petroleum Institude reports 18 billion barrels of water were produced in 1995 from onshore operations in addition to large amounts from offshore in the United States alone. A study for Department of Energy estimates from 1985 to 2002 in the United Sates, there has been a steady increase in water production from 7.4 to 9.5 barrels of water for each barrel of oil produced. Regardless of the locality of these estimates, similar trends have been reported elsewhere on the global scale. These facts are inline with increased de-bottlenecking activities for major operators at oil production facilities worldwide. In addition, increased environmental awareness, discharge limits set by governmental regulatory organizations or self-imposed regulations are other factors in the produced water treatment problem. The shear production volume and the ever tightening regulations are imposing an economical burden on all producers at large. It is this demand in recent years, which has revived a new interest in water treatment technologies, and acted as the catalyst to the efforts for improving these technologies. Review of the Technology Induced gas floatation (IGF) continues to be identified as the best-available-technolgy by both the operators and environmental organizations. In the United States, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to recognize the "improved gas floatation" as the BAT for removal of oil and grease (O&G) from the produced water. The law sets the mandatory O&G discharge limits at 29 mg/L monthly average and 42 mg/L daily maximum for the Territorial Seas and Outer Continental Shelf. Among the ongoing attempts to improve and adapt the floatation technology to the new demands of the petroleum industry, first generation of Cylindrical Depurator was introduced. This design benefited from mechanical floatation mechanism and in its conventional form utilized four consecutive gasification chambers or cells. A modified compact version of the cylindrical design specialized for offshore and motion sensitive applications, is offered as Dual-Cell Cylindrical Depurator. This model is designed based on similar principles to its predecessor but comprised of two gasification chambers, each with dedicated flotation mechanism. This design benefits form smaller rotor assembly and employs draft tubes to enhance internal dynamic characteristics of each cell (figure 1).
TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 01-972-952-9435. AbstractThis paper is intended as part of the continuous development of WEMCO® Dual-Cell Cylindrical Depurator® and adaptation of Induced Gas Floatation technology to meet the demands of today's offshore production practices as the bestavailable-technology (BAT). The focus of this paper is relating theory to practice for this new and proven technology and the real life example of one of its applications. This paper is presenting the problem solving and selection process adopted by ChevronTexaco North America's Operations Team at Typhoon Production Facility, located in deep water Gulf of Mexico. The paper compares alternative solutions and economical advantages and disadvantages of each alternative. It also provides an in-depth analysis of the performance achieved after installation of the Dual-Cell, based on the theoretical model developed for this equipment.
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