Abstract: A petroleum desalting process in which fluid from interfacial boundary layer between the settled water layer and the settled oil layer or emulsion-water layer in the vessel is withdrawn from the desalter and recycled to the crude oil inlet of the desalter to improve separation of the oil and water phases.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for using field enhanced separations to produce multiple fractions from a petroleum input. A liquid thermal diffusion and/or electric field separation is used to produce the fractions. The fractions can then be used to form multiple outputs that share a first feature while being different with regard to a second feature. For example, a first fraction from the plurality of fractions can have a desired value for a first property such as viscosity index. Two or more additional fractions from the plurality of fractions can then be blended together to make a blended fraction or output. The blended fraction can have a value for the first property that is substantially similar to the value for the first fraction. However, for a second property, the first fraction and the blended fraction can have distinct values. As a result, multiple output fractions can be formed that share a first feature but differ in a second feature.

Abstract: An embodiment provides a method for managing a hydrocarbon asset. The method includes creating an interactive community of agents, wherein each agent comprises code and functional data structures configured to direct a processor to access resource on a network. At least one of the agents is configured to be a workflow agent, wherein the work-flow agent is configured to pursue a plan to accomplish a goal. The work-flow agent is provided with sensors to determine environmental conditions. The workflow agent is provided with the ability to communicate with other intelligent agents. The workflow agent is configured to select the plan based, at least in part, on information obtained from the sensors.