Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for treatment of produced or process water from hydrocarbon production to reduce the volume of the produced or process water while simultaneously reducing the salinity of a highly saline stream, for example, the brine from a seawater desalination plant. The method includes causing a feed stream comprising produced or process water to flow through the lumen of a hollow fiber osmotic membrane 4 which is immersed in an open channel 2 or tank of flowing draw solution 6 which has high salinity. In this way, water from the feed stream is drawn through the osmotic membrane 4 by an osmotic pressure differential caused by the difference in salinity between the feed stream and the draw solution 6.

Abstract: A magnetic filter assembly 1 is described which is suitable for incorporating into a fluid system such that a process fluid flows through the filter to remove ferromagnetic particles in the fluid. The filter assembly 1 comprises a housing 2 having a flow chamber. The housing also comprises one or more elongate hollow sleeves 10 extending into the flow chamber such that, in use, an exterior surface of each sleeve 10 is exposed to the process flow and an interior surface of each sleeve 10 is sealed from the process flow. Each sleeve 10 has an opening via which the interior surface of the sleeve is open or openable to the environment whilst remaining sealed from the process flow. Each sleeve has received in it a magnet 12, the magnet being removable from the sleeve via the opening. In this way, cleaning of the filter by removal of the magnets is facilitated, without exposing the process flow.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of hydrocarbons and in particular to waterflooding, or the injection of water into a hydrocarbon reservoir to assist recovery of the hydrocarbons. It is often desirable to use produced water (PW) for waterflooding, whereas seawater (which is often more convenient to use) can cause issues such as undesirable precipitation in the reservoir and associated pipelines and equipment. Often there is insufficient PW and the supply of PW needs to be supplemented. It is also often desirable to reduce the salinity of the PW. The invention contemplates an osmotic process in which the high salinity PW acts as a draw solution and lower salinity seawater is used as a feed. The PW supply may be pressurized in preparation for injecting it into the reservoir and then passed through an osmotic membrane element, whilst low pressure seawater is passed through the osmotic membrane element on the other side.

Abstract: A method for removing hydrogen sulfide from a liquid stream is described. The method includes contacting the liquid stream including a first amount of hydrogen sulfide with a first side of a porous gas-liquid separation membrane. The hydrogen sulfide moves through the pores of the membrane from the first side to a second, opposite side of the membrane. The method further includes contacting a receiving fluid with the second, opposite side of the porous membrane to receive the hydrogen sulfide. The liquid stream is thus converted to a reduced-sulfide liquid stream having a second amount of hydrogen sulfide that is less than the first amount of hydrogen sulfide. A method for removing ammonia from a liquid stream is also described.

Abstract: A magnetic filter assembly 1 is described which is suitable for incorporating into a fluid system such that a process fluid flows through the filter to remove ferromagnetic particles in the fluid. The filter assembly 1 comprises a housing 2 having a flow chamber. The housing also comprises one or more elongate hollow sleeves 10 extending into the flow chamber such that, in use, an exterior surface of each sleeve 10 is exposed to the process flow and an interior surface of each sleeve 10 is sealed from the process flow. Each sleeve 10 has an opening via which the interior surface of the sleeve is open or openable to the environment whilst remaining sealed from the process flow. Each sleeve has received in it a magnet 12, the magnet being removable from the sleeve via the opening. In this way, cleaning of the filter by removal of the magnets is facilitated, without exposing the process flow.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for treating an aqueous solution from a subterranean formation of an oil and gas operation. The aqueous solution can be removed from the subterranean formation and treated in a heated centrifugal separator. The heated centrifugal separator can separate the kinetic hydrate inhibitor from the aqueous solution, and then the aqueous solution can be reintroduced into the subterranean formation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for treatment of produced or process water from hydrocarbon production to reduce the volume of the produced or process water while simultaneously reducing the salinity of a highly saline stream, for example, the brine from a seawater desalination plant. The method includes causing a feed stream comprising produced or process water to flow through the lumen of a hollow fiber osmotic membrane 4 which is immersed in an open channel 2 or tank of flowing draw solution 6 which has high salinity. In this way, water from the feed stream is drawn through the osmotic membrane 4 by an osmotic pressure differential caused by the difference in salinity between the feed stream and the draw solution 6.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for treating an aqueous solution from a subterranean formation of an oil and gas operation. The aqueous solution can be removed from the subterranean formation and treated in a heated centrifugal separator. The heated centrifugal separator can separate the kinetic hydrate inhibitor from the aqueous solution, and then the aqueous solution can be reintroduced into the subterranean formation.

Abstract: A method for removing hydrogen sulfide from a liquid stream is described. The method includes contacting the liquid stream including a first amount of hydrogen sulfide with a first side of a porous gas-liquid separation membrane. The hydrogen sulfide moves through the pores of the membrane from the first side to a second, opposite side of the membrane. The method further includes contacting a receiving fluid with the second, opposite side of the porous membrane to receive the hydrogen sulfide. The liquid stream is thus converted to a reduced-sulfide liquid stream having a second amount of hydrogen sulfide that is less than the first amount of hydrogen sulfide. A method for removing ammonia from a liquid stream is also described.

Abstract: Advanced oxidation process namely ozonation and Fenton's (hydrogen peroxide/Fe:2+) were utilized to degrade kinetic hydrate inhibitor (KHI). The oxidized solution after scavenging oxygen can be successfully disposed to the injection well. This facilitates use of KHI more frequently and in higher concentrations for future projects oil & gas operations. It also offers an alternative that competes efficiently with thermodynamic hydrate inhibitor (THI) or complements THI.

Abstract: Advanced oxidation process namely ozonation and Fenton's (hydrogen peroxide/Fe:2+) were utilized to degrade kinetic hydrate inhibitor (KHI). The oxidized solution after scavenging oxygen can be successfully disposed to the injection well. This facilitates use of KHI more frequently and in higher concentrations for future projects oil & gas operations. It also offers an alternative that competes efficiently with thermodynamic hydrate inhibitor (THI) or complements THI.