Abstract: A water separation system and method for treating multiphase hydrocarbon production streams is disclosed. The system may be employed to separate gas from the production stream, and then separate the liquid stream into its oil component and water component. A gas/liquid separator may be employed to separate a multiphase hydrocarbon production stream into a gas stream and a liquid stream. A liquid cyclone separator, positioned downstream from the gas/liquid separator, may be employed to divide the liquid stream into an oil dominated portion and a water dominated portion. The system may be used on land or on offshore platforms in locations where it is desirable to separate oil and water from hydrocarbon streams.

Abstract: A water separation system and method for treating multiphase hydrocarbon production streams is disclosed. The system may be employed to separate gas from the production stream, and then separate the liquid stream into its oil component and water component. A gas/liquid separator may be employed to separate a multiphase hydrocarbon production stream into a gas stream and a liquid stream. A liquid cyclone separator, positioned downstream from the gas/liquid separator, may be employed to divide the liquid stream into an oil dominated portion and a water dominated portion. The system may be used on land or on offshore platforms in locations where it is desirable to separate oil and water from hydrocarbon streams.

Abstract: A water separation system and method for treating multiphase hydrocarbon production streams is disclosed. The system may be employed to separate gas from the production stream, and then separate the liquid stream into its oil component and water component. A gas/liquid separator may be employed to separate a multiphase hydrocarbon production stream into a gas stream and a liquid stream. A liquid cyclone separator, positioned downstream from the gas/liquid separator, may be employed to divide the liquid stream into an oil dominated portion and a water dominated portion. The system may be used on land or on offshore platforms in locations where it is desirable to separate oil and water from hydrocarbon streams.

Abstract: Variant xanthan gums are provided which include a water-soluble polysaccharide polymer comprising repeating pentamer units having a D-glucose:D-mannose:D-glucuronic acid ratio of about 2:2:1, and a water-soluble polysaccharide polymer comprising repeating tetramer units having a D-glucose:D-mannose:D-glucuronic acid ratio of about 2:1:1. The D-glucose moieties are linked in a beta-[1,4] configuration. The inner D-mannose moieties are linked in an alpha-[1,3] configuration, generally to alternate glucose moieties. The D-glucuronic acid moieties are linked in a beta-[1,2] configuration to the inner mannose moieties. The outer mannose moieties are linked to the glucuronic acid moieties in a beta-[1,4] configuration. Processes for preparing the polysaccharide polymers are also provided.

Abstract: A system is provided for improved flow measurement in a multiphase fluid stream in an oilfield environment. A sampling probe is provided which draws fluid samples at different radial locations across a diameter or a chord of a cross sectional plane of a multiphase fluid flow line. Properties of these samples are measured by a multiphase flow metering system separately, and are then used to determine in a more accurate manner the fluid flow characteristics radially across the multiphase fluid flow line.

Abstract: Variant xanthan gums are provided which include a water-soluble polysaccharide polymer comprising repeating pentamer units having a D-glucose:D-mannose:D-glucuronic acid ratio of about 2:2:1, and a water-soluble polysaccharide polymer comprising repeating tetramer units having a D-glucose:D-mannose:D-glucuronic acid ratio of about 2:1:1. The D-glucose moieties are linked in a beta-[1,4] configuration. The inner D-mannose moieties are linked in an alpha-[1,3] configuration, generally to alternate glucose moieties. The D-glucuronic acid moieties are linked in a beta-[1,2] configuration to the inner mannose moieties. The outer mannose moieties are linked to the glucuronic acid moieties in a beta-[1,4] configuration. Processes for preparing the polysaccharide polymers are also provided.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for three-phase fluid flow measurement that operates reliably and accurately over a wide range of gas cut. The system uses a fluid conditioner to separate the three-phase fluid flow into a liquid rich component and a gas rich component. The gas flow rate of the gas rich component is controlled by a valve to maintain the gas cut at a predetermined level. The valve is responsive to control signals generated by a measurement apparatus that measures oil, gas, and water cuts. The system configuration includes a pipeline for carrying the liquid rich component, a gas line for carrying the gas rich component, and a measurement line in parallel with the pipeline.

Abstract: The watercut of fluid in a mulitphase flow is measured. Microwave energy in the 10 Ghz range is transmitted through a test call having flow passing therein through a known geometry. Attenuation and phase shift of the microwave energy is measured and used to derive the wave number of the microwaves in the unknown fluid. The water fraction of the unknown fluid is then determined from the wave number and the known geometry of the test all using Hannai's equation.

Abstract: A three phase meter to measure the oil/water/gas fractions of a multi-phase fluid flow uses a fraction meter and a flow meter to calibrate flow with the fraction meter sending mixture density information to the flow meter to make the calculation.

Abstract: The gas fraction of a multiphase fluid is determined using `on-line` statistical methods and then using that fraction to compute the correct water fraction. The gas fraction (Xg) is detected by using the standard deviation of the raw phase (Pstd), maximum phase in the sampling interval (Pmax), average phase (Pavg) or standard deviation of attenuation (Astd) data and maximum attenuation in the sampling interval (Amax), or average attenuation (Aavg) from streams flowing in the water fraction monitor sensor cell where the conditions are determined.

Abstract: Apparatus which determines the water cut of a sample petroleum stream irradiates the sample stream at two different locations with microwave energy. The distance that the microwave energies pass through the sample stream are also different. A receiver receives the microwave energies and provides corresponding received signals. The water cut is determined in accordance with the received signals.

Abstract: Variant xanthan gums are provided which include a water-soluble polysaccharide polymer comprising repeating pentamer units having a D-glucose:D-mannose:D-glucuronic acid ratio of about 2:2:1, and a water-soluble polysaccharide polymer comprising repeating tetramer units having a D-glucose:D-mannose:D-glucuronic acid ratio of about 2:1:1. The D-glucose moieties are linked in a beta- 1,4! configuration. The inner D-mannose moieties are linked in an alpha- 1,3! configuration, generally to alternate glucose moieties. The D-glucuronic acid moieties are linked in a beta- 1,2! configuration to the inner mannose moieties. The outer mannose moieties are linked to the glucuronic acid moieties in a beta- 1,4! configuration. Processes for preparing the polysaccharide polymers are also provided.

Abstract: A great many small volume samples are taken, at a high rate of frequency, from a multi-phase fluid stream to determine the respective oil, water and gas fractions. Rapid fluctuations from an all liquid curve will indicate the presence of gas in the fluid.

Abstract: The means and method of the present invention includes a source of microwave energy and associated elements which provide microwave energy to a petroleum stream. Other circuitry include elements which receive microwave energy from the petroleum stream. Electronic apparatus provides at least one outputs utilizing the provided microwave energy, the received microwave energy and known values for 100 percent oil, 100 percent gas and 100 percent water, corresponding to a ratio of gas to liquid. From the readings of attenuation and phase shift, an estimate of the proportions in the mix is extracted by interpolation.

Abstract: In a three phase fluid stream microwave monitor, an improved test cell having a fluid stream flowing through it with spaced, aligned first and second antenna located within the test cell to receive microwave energy, irradiate the fluid stream, and receive the microwave energy which has passed through the fluid stream. The test cell has a rotatable cage mounted to form a cylinder enclosing the antennas for reducing an amount of debris in a portion of the petroleum stream flowing therebetween. The cage includes vanes which cause it to rotate, under the influence of the flowing stream to thereby be self-cleaning. The cage also carries a block which lies between the antenna and perpendicular to the axis thereof. Rotation of the cage causes rotation of this block to modulate the microwave transmission in a manner indicative of the fluid velocity.

Abstract: The means and method of the present invention includes a source of microwave energy and associated elements which provide microwave energy to a petroleum stream. Other circuitry include elements which receive microwave energy from the petroleum stream. Electronic apparatus provides at least two outputs utilizing the provided microwave energy, the received microwave energy and known values for 100 percent oil, 100 percent solids of one specie and 100 percent water, corresponding to different ratios of ratios involving oil and water, oil and solids, and water and solids.

Abstract: The means and method of the present invention includes a source of microwave energy and associated elements which provide microwave energy to a petroleum stream. Other circuitry include elements which receive microwave energy from the petroleum stream. Electronic apparatus provides at least one outputs utilizing the provided microwave energy, the received microwave energy and known values for 100 percent oil, percent surfactant and 100 percent water, corresponding to a ratio of surfactant to oil/water mixture.

Abstract: Pumping apparatus pumps an oil water mixture from a body of water containing oil. A first sample stream is taken from the oil water mixture. The oil/water mixture is then stratified to provide an oil rich stream and a water rich stream. The oil rich stream is also sampled to provide a second sample stream. A water cut monitor receives both sample streams and determines the water cuts of both sample streams and provides corresponding water cut signals. A control subsystem controls the volumetric flows of the oil rich stream and the water rich stream in accordance with the water cut signals.

Abstract: A petroleum stream control system includes a valve receiving a petroleum stream which divides the petroleum stream into at least two petroleum substreams in accordance with the control signal. A sample stream is withdrawn from each substream and irradiated with microwave energy. Microwave energies that have passed through the sample streams are received. A signal circuit generated signals corresponding to an electrical property of the sample stream in accordance with the received microwave energies. A control circuit provides the control signal to the valve in accordance with the signals from the signal circuit, so as to control the dividing of the petroleum stream.

Abstract: Valve means includes a first pipe which receives a signal fluid stream. The stream is separated into two substreams in accordance with a control signal. A second and third pipe are connected to the separating apparatus provides the substreams external to the valve.