Abstract: A well fluid processing system has a separator for separating heavier and lighter components of well fluid flowing from a subsea well and directing the lighter components to flow to a surface processing facility. The separator has a cylindrical chamber having a length at least ten times its diameter. A coalescing unit located in the chamber causes water droplets in the well fluid flowing through the tubes to coalesce into larger droplets. A dielectrophoresis unit having undulating sheets spaced close to each other is also located in the chamber. The sheets of the unit are supplied with an electrical potential to force the water droplets into predetermined passage portions to form high water content sections of liquid. Bypass valves allow backflushing of one of the separators while others continue to operate.

Abstract: An inlet device to a separator including a generally tubular outer wall and a generally tubular inner wall. The walls define at least a part of a first annular path between them. An inlet opening provides for the passage of a fluid through the outer wall into the first annular path. At least one communication channel provides for the passage of a fluid from the first annular path into the second annular path. At least one movable closing element provides for at least partial closure of the fluid passage from the first path into the second path. The communication channel(s) is/are arranged to extend along the outside of the inner wall downwards from the first path into the second path, wherein the second path is arranged below the first path.