Process performance optimization Offshore troubleshooting, optimization and testing Modification projects Specialist services, process separation Process simulation Design optimization Design evaluation Concept studies 3. party verification Characterization testing Process separation seminars Platform specific process seminars for production personnel and process engineers
Process performance optimization How to increase productivity and regularity on a long-term basis, and at the same time reduce the discharges? Targets: Increased oil and gas production within product specifications Reduced cost leading to lowest possible cost per produced unit Reduced downtime leading to highest possible regularity Production within ever tightening environmental requirements Offshore troubleshooting, optimization and testing: Troubleshooting in situations with acute and critical process interruption Optimization of gas, oil, water and sand systems Process improvement Chemical optimization Evaluation and optimization of working routines Testing of separation equipment Control system optimization Crude Oil Systems : Optimize separator performance with respect to residence time and interface levels Study the effect of inlet devices and other internals Study the effect of production chemicals, and select best performing chemical Identify and demonstrate the effect of problem wells Study the effect from solids and/or precipitated matter Residence time determination and study of fluid flow patterns in separators by radioactice tracer techniques Identify and address bottlenecks Study the effect of recirculated streams on separation efficiency Establish functional requirements for new process equipment Produced Water Systems : Optimize separator operations with respect to produced water quality Optimize hydrocyclone and degasser performance Test and select the best performing produced water chemical, including tuning of dosage rate Study the effect of solids and/or precipitated matter Identify and demonstrate the effect of problem wells/choke valves with respect to produced water quality Testing of alternative solutions for produced water treatment Study the effect of recirculated streams on produced water quality Testing and analysis of produced water with respect to reinjection Gas Systems : Optimize separator operations with respect to residence time and gas/liquid level Study the effect of antifoam chemicals, and select the best performing chemical Study the effect from gas slugging wells on separation Quantification of liquid carry-over in separators and scrubbers Liquid build-up and short-circuiting in scrubbers and absorbers Glycol regeneration systems (MEG/TEG) Solid Systems : Solid deposits verification and effect of jetting Obtain relevant information of better solids treatment Sampling and analyses (qualitative and quantitative) Equipment testing for separation / removal / cleaning of solids Modification projects : Our knowledge and wide background from offshore troubleshooting is of great advantage within modification projects. Together with our field experience we can supply engineering and different types of process simulation. (See also " Specialist services, process separation ") Mator Tools: Neutron Backscatter - Scanning which gives information about the different phases inside the separator (gas, foam, oil, emulsion, water and solids). The principle is based on moderated neutron radiation caused by hydrogen based medium, on which the disintegrated radiation can be quantified regarding the measured phase. Droplet size analyzer (Malvern) - Determination of the size distribution of oil droplet in water and water droplets in oil/emulsion by use of laser diffraction. MTS (Mini Test Separator) - Evaluates separability of water-in-oil emulsions. The sample can be evacuated in the MTS-unit without exposing the fluids to shear force, and separated water can be quantified as a function of time (and pressure). Hotspin - Temperature controlled centrifuge for water-in-oil-measurements (BS&W) and verification of emulsion stability. The MTS can also be used as sample preparation and catchment equipement for solids in liquid flows. Test unit produced water - Evaluation and testing of produced water solutions     - Flocculation     - Hydrocyclones     - Other produced water technologies Tracer - Tracer injection and detection equipement for RTD and carry over quantification (with IFE). Thermography - Thermo scan of separators, pipelines and process equipement by use of infrared camera. Our knowledge is based on experience from troubleshooting oil and gas fields in the North Sea (Norway, UK, Denmark), the Gulf of Mexico, Alaska, Venezuela, China, Australia……… It is likely that we have run into something similar to your problem before! Back to the top
Specialist services, process separation Gas/oil/water/solids system studies with focus on separation - not only PVT! In-depth and comprehensive evaluation of process design aiming at finding optimum solutions. Process simulation: HYSYS - A powerful tool for design and optimization of gas/oil/water processing systems ProSep - Simulations of Produced Water Treatment systems. Verification of operational conditions and performance of hydrocyclones, flotation cells and centrifuges. Identification of problem areas, simulation of effects from changes and modifications. MP-Sep - Design program for multi-phase separators based on inlet droplet size distributions and empirical constants (k-values). Design optimization: Projects within gas, oil, water and solids treatment from problem definition to recommended solution. Evaluation of specific problems versus experience from other installations, leading to solutions and recommendations. Assistance during implementation of solutions, such as test of fluid characteristics, mapping of operating conditions and routines, mapping of production data, solutions for improved access and utilization of the production information. Design evaluation: Evaluation of planned modification solution and new installations. Verification of performance against process guarantee, assistance during start up and optimization of installations. Establish design basis - ensure correct description of existing production process used in inquiries for modification projects. Concept studies: Develop concept solutions for gas, oil, water and solids treatment: Establish PFD's, mass & energy balances, consequences for existing plant, fluid effects, evaluate separator design. 3. party verification: Evaluate solutions proposed by equipment vendors and engineering companies. Characterization testing: Testing of fluid properties using test rigs at Norsk Hydro Research center. Back to the top
Process separation seminars Increased understanding of separation process and equipment for production personnel and process engineers Based on request from the oil industry, Mator has prepared seminars that are custom-made to meet the day-by-day challenge for offshore personnel working with gas/oil/water production. Seminars focusing on separation challenges are custom-made for the clients production facilities: Transport of fluids from the reservoir to top-side. Choke valve operation and how they influence on separation. Two- or three-phase separators; inlet section, level- and interface control, residence time and coalescing internals. Electrostatic coalescers. Production chemicals; how they work and how to optimize. Produced water treatment. Experience and operation of the separation system on the specific platform. Proposal and interchange of experience on how to address process stages/units causing problems, and possible corrective actions. The platform specific section has proven to be particularly usefull in giving the background for the process design at the specific platform, link between the separation theory and observed experience, and how regularity and efficiency can be improved.   Who: Process technicians Supervisors Production superintendents Process engineers   Back to the top