Abstract: A gas separator for removing suspended gas from a fluid is provided. A plurality of pipes define an overall fluid pathway that includes: a first fluid path from the first fluid chamber to the third fluid chamber, the first fluid path passing through the second fluid chamber without interacting with contents the second fluid chamber, the first fluid pathway being narrower than the first fluid chamber such that fluid flows through the first fluid pathway faster than through the first fluid chamber; a second fluid path from the third fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber, the second fluid path extending at least partially along an exterior wall of the second and third fluid chamber; and a third fluid path from the second fluid chamber to the fourth fluid chamber, the third path passing through the second fluid chamber without interacting with content of the second fluid chamber.

Abstract: A disclosed subsea sediment separation and filtration system includes first and second separation devices, a spreader apparatus, and a storage device. The first separation device receives a water/sediment/oil mixture and from a subsea surface and separates the mixture into a first component containing cleaned sediment and a second component containing a water/oil mixture. The spreader apparatus disperses the cleaned sediment of the first component into a subsea environment of the spreader apparatus. The second separation device receives the second component from the first separation device and separates the second component into a cleaned water component and an oil component. The second separation device disperses the cleaned water component into a subsea environment of the second separation device and provides the oil component to the storage device. The first separation device may include a plurality of hydrocyclone devices, and the second separation device may include a high pressure hydrocyclone device.

Abstract: A three-stage degassing and dewatering device includes a first-stage degasser, a second-stage degasser, an oil drainer, a rod electrode, a dewaterer, and a water drainer. The first-stage degasser implements a first-stage axial-flow type collision buffer degassing and dewatering operation, forming a first-stage crude oil after removing some of the gas and water in the gas-containing and water-containing crude oil. The second-stage degasser implements a second-stage elevated efficient degassing operation, forming a second-stage crude oil after removing the remaining gas in the first-stage crude oil. The rod electrode constructs a dynamic electric field with a high frequency and a high voltage, and implements a third-stage high-frequency and high-voltage rapid dewatering operation together with the dewaterer, forming a qualified crude oil after removing the remaining water in the crude oil emulsion.

Abstract: A cell expansion system includes an air removal chamber to provide a bubble trap so that air and/or gas bubbles do not enter the bioreactor of the cell expansion system. The air removal chamber includes a pair of ports situated at the bottom of the air removal chamber. An entrance port allows fluid to enter the air removal chamber, and an exit port allows fluid to exit the air removal chamber. In one embodiment the air removal chamber forms an element of a premounted fluid conveyance assembly for use with a cell expansion machine.

Abstract: A method of producing oil and gas from a gathering manifold or a well. The method includes the steps of channeling field production into a sealed vessel through an inlet pipe, and permitting oil and gas components of the field production to separate naturally from water and other fluids within the vessel. The method further includes the steps of evacuating the separated oil and gas from the vessel via pipelines attached to the vessel at locations corresponding to the separated oil and gas, and pumping seawater into the vessel to pressurize the vessel and thereby aid in the production of oil and gas from the vessel.

Abstract: A separator assembly comprises a vertical vessel including a fluid inlet for receiving a fluid including a gas, at least two liquids, and solids, at least two liquid outlets for discharging the liquids, a gas outlet at an upper end thereof for discharging gas, and a solids outlet at a lower end thereof for discharging solids. A baffle plate extends across the vessel, and cooperates with the vessel to define an upper section and a lower section, and has a first conduit extending downwardly so that liquids and solids may flow into the lower section, and a second conduit extending upwardly so that gases may flow from the lower section to the upper section. A backpressure valve is in fluid communication with the gas outlet and is configured to discharge gas while maintaining a selected level of pressure inside the vessel.

Abstract: A desanding system has an elongated vessel that is tilted at a non-zero inclination angle. A fluid inlet at the vessel's upper end discharges a gas stream having entrained liquids and particulates and a fluid outlet into a freeboard portion formed adjacent an upper portion of the vessel above a gas/liquid interface formed below the fluid outlet. A belly storage portion is formed below the interface. The freeboard portion of the vessel has a freeboard cross-sectional area that diminishes along the interface from the fluid inlet to a fluid outlet spaced away from and lower than the fluid inlet. The cross-sectional are of the freeboard portion causes precipitation of the entrained liquids and particulates therefrom and collect in the belly portion of the vessel. A desanded gas stream, being free of a substantial portion of the particulates is removed from the vessel through the fluid outlet.

Abstract: A device for phase separation of a multiphase mixture with at least one gas and at least two fluid phases may include a vessel including a tangential inlet via which the multiphase mixture is conveyed to the vessel, a tangential gas outlet above the inlet, via which a gas phase of the multiphase mixture separated from the multiphase mixture can be taken out of the vessel, and at least two outlets below the inlet at different vertical heights, via which one of the at least two fluid phases of the multiphase mixture respectively separated from the multiphase mixture can be taken out of the vessel. Further, a method for phase separation of a multiphase mixture using such device may include imparting an upwards-directed eddy flow to the multiphase mixture, during which fluid droplets are separated from the multiphase gas mixture, collecting the fluid droplets, and separately removing all phases formed.

Abstract: A system is provided for removing dimethyl ether (DME) from oil, water or brine and gas that includes a gas-oil-water separation module, a DME absorber, a water stripper, a liquid-liquid extractor, a water source, and an oil stripper, and a process is provided for separating DME from a mixture of DME, crude oil, water or brine, and a gas containing alkane hydrocarbons. A DME lean oil containing at most 1 ppmwt may be produced by the process.

Abstract: A separator tank (1) for separating oil and gas from water comprises an essentially cylindrical vertical tank with at least one separator tank unit. The separator tank unit has an inlet for fluid (2) and a first inner annular wall (5) a first conical portion (9) and a first central opening (8). A second inner annular wall (15) is positioned at a distance from the first inner annular wall and has a second conical portion (19) and a second central opening (18). A first flow opening (10) is provided at an end of said first inner annular wall (5) and a second flow opening (20) is provided at an end of second inner annular wall (15).

Abstract: A process vessel is provided for separating a multi-component stream. The process vessel includes an inlet for permitting introduction of reaction water stream into the vessel and an outlet for withdrawing a water-rich phase from the vessel. The vessel further includes a plurality of draw-off points for drawing off a phase rich in suspended hydrocarbons from the vessel, the draw-off point(s) being located above the outlet.

Abstract: An atmospheric oil, water and gas separator designed for oilfield applications having ground level inlet, internal water leg, internal piping, a degassing chamber, a horizontal inlet fluid swirl wing distributor that creates centrifugal spiraling of inlet fluids to slow and increase flow residence time, a horizontal swirl wing baffle above the inlet that minimizes oil re-entrainment by preventing turbulence at the oil-water interface, an inverted upper spreader that prevents solids plugging and performance deterioration, an oil conduit extending from the lower surface of the inverted upper spreader to the oil layer to prevent re-entrainment of separated oil in the inlet water turbulent zone, an externally adjustable slide tube for the water leg spillover weir tube, engineered water and oil spillover weirs that prevent separator upsets and overflows, and a water leg adjuster providing fine tuning of the height of the water leg from outside the vessel without shutdown.

Abstract: A CO2 recovering apparatus includes a CO2 absorber that brings flue gas containing CO2 and O2 into contact with CO2 absorbing liquid to reduce CO2 in the flue gas; and a regenerator that reduces CO2 in CO2 absorbing liquid (rich solvent) that absorbed CO2 in the CO2 absorber to regenerate the CO2 absorbing liquid, so that the regenerated CO2 absorbing liquid (lean solvent) having CO2 reduced in the regenerator is reused in the CO2 absorber. A lower liquid reservoir is located at the bottom of the CO2 absorber, and an air-bubble gathering member is arranged therein to gather air bubbles included in the absorbing liquid.

Abstract: An extremely high water cut oil-gas-water three phase flow water removing device, which includes a mist eliminator (8), a fluid rectifier (7), a liquid collection chamber (2), a fluid directing duct (5), an inlet connection pipe section (10), a gas outlet connection pipe section (9), a mixture liquid exit connection pipe section (4), a free water outlet connection pipe section (1). Its function is to effectively remove most of the free water from the high water cut oil-air-water three phase flow mixture liquid. An extremely high water cut oil-air-water three phase flow measurement apparatus and a measurement method using the water removing device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A separator tank comprises an essentially cylindrical vertical tank (1) having an upper part (6) and a lower part (7), a tangentially arranged inlet (2) for fluid in the upper part of the tank, at least one first outlet (4) in the upper part of the tank, at least one second outlet (3) in the lower part of the tank, and means (12) for calming a stream around the second outlet. An inner annular wall (5) has a first opening (8) at an upper end of said inner annular wall to allow communication between the upper part and the lower part of the tank. The separator tank comprises a rod-shaped vortex eye breaker (11) extending vertically at the center of the tank in order to improve the capacity of the tank.

Abstract: A preassembled and portable crude oil processing apparatus includes a support platform with a gas separator vessel covered by a shed structure and an elongated liquid separator vessel pivotally connected to the support platform. The liquid separator vessel includes support structure which supports it an a horizontal transport configuration. The apparatus is loaded onto a flatbed trailer and transported to a crude oil processing site with the liquid vessel in the horizontal configuration. At the processing site, the apparatus is hoisted off the trailer and deposited on the ground, and the liquid separator vessel is pivoted to a vertical configuration supported by the platform and secured in place. Plumbing associated with the gas separator vessel is then interconnected with plumbing associated with the liquid separator, with piping carrying a crude oil emulsion for processing, and with tanks for storing products of the process.

Abstract: The invention is targeted at the process of separating gas, such as air, from a liquid path. Specifically, the invention provides a means to remove gas from a dynamic liquid path, manage the removed gas and liquid path. The invention provides a means to remove gas from a dynamic liquid path using the buoyant property of gas in a less buoyant liquid, having ingress and egress ports for liquid and gas flow, and separate points of egress for liquid and trapped gas and integral liquid channels.

Abstract: A preassembled and portable crude oil processing apparatus includes a support platform with a gas separator vessel covered by a shed structure and an elongated liquid separator vessel pivotally connected to the support platform. The liquid separator vessel includes support structure which supports it an a horizontal transport configuration. The apparatus is loaded onto a flatbed trailer and transported to a crude oil processing site with the liquid vessel in the horizontal configuration. At the processing site, the apparatus is hoisted off the trailer and deposited on the ground, and the liquid separator vessel is pivoted to a vertical configuration supported by the platform and secured in place. Plumbing associated with the gas separator vessel is then interconnected with plumbing associated with the liquid separator, with piping carrying a crude oil emulsion for processing, and with tanks for storing products of the process.

Abstract: A separator tank (1) comprising an essentially cylindrical vertical tank, a tangentially arranged inlet (3) in an upper part (9) of the tank, at least one first outlet (4) for oil and gas in the upper part of the tank, and at least one second outlet (5) for water in a lower part of the tank. A vortex zone (7) comprises a downward protruding conical frusta shaped wall (8) with an opening (11) at the lower end to allow communication between the upper and lower part of the tank. A helical spiralling vane is disposed on the upward directed part of said conical frusta shaped wall.

Abstract: A well fluid separator tank comprises an essentially cylindrical vertical tank (1) having an upper part (6) and a lower part (7) divided by an upward protruding conical frusta shaped wall (5), a tangentially arranged inlet (2) for fluid in the upper part of the tank, at least one first outlet (4) in the upper part of the tank, at least one second outlet (3) in the lower part of the tank, and means (12) for calming a stream around the second outlet. The upward protruding conical frusta shaped wall (5) has a first opening (8) at an upper end of said upward protruding conical frusta shaped wall to allow communication between the upper part and the lower part of the tank. The conical frusta shaped wall (5) has an inclination (9) so that the angle between the wall of the tank and the upper side of the conical frusta shaped wall is in the range from 15° to 70°.

Abstract: A separator tank comprises an essentially cylindrical vertical tank (1) having an upper part (6) and a lower part (7), a tangentially arranged inlet (2) for fluid in the upper part of the tank, at least one first outlet (4) in the upper part of the tank, at least one second outlet (3) in the lower part of the tank, and means (12) for calming a stream around the second outlet. An inner annular wall (5) has a first opening (8) at an upper end of said inner annular wall to allow communication between the upper part and the lower part of the tank. The separator tank comprises a rod-shaped vortex eye breaker (11) extending vertically at the center of the tank in order to improve the capacity of the tank.

Abstract: A three phase separator or settling device (2) or a digester (1) including the settling device. The settling device can receive a fluid containing liquid, gas and particulate material. The settling device includes a settling chamber to be filled with this fluid. The device can also include a liquid-discharge (5) for discharging liquid from the settling chamber and fitted close to the liquid level (30), a fluid inlet (6) for supplying the fluid into the settling chamber (3), a particulate material separation device (7) and a sludge outlet (8). A flow of fluid is provided into and out of the settling device and settling chamber. The inlet includes a gas separation device (4) for separating gas from the fluid including channels, the inlet positioned close to the fluid level. The inlet and transition (75) into the settling chamber is arranged to create a pre-separated flow pattern including a generally laminar liquid flow.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating natural gas from production streams comprising a liquid dispersion of water, sand, and natural gas is provided for. The separator comprises a vessel having an interior surface defining a spherical interior space. The interior space allows a production stream introduced therein to experience a velocity drop sufficient to allow separation of the natural gas from the sand and water components. The separator also comprises a stream inlet port in the vessel, a liquid drain in the lower end of the vessel, and a gas outlet port at the upper end of the vessel remote from the stream inlet port. A baffle is mounted in the interior of the vessel in the path of the production stream between the stream inlet port and the gas outlet port. The baffle is effective to spread and direct a high pressure production stream introduced into the interior space via the stream inlet port downward toward the liquid drain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a subsea installation for treatment of hydrocarbons from a subsea well, having a pipe system comprising a first manifold (2) connected to at least one well (1) and at least two first pipe segments (3) with an inlet connected to the manifold (2) and where the first pipe segments (3) comprise at least two outlets, where the first manifold (2) and the first pipe segments (3) are arranged in a first plane and where one of the outlets from the first pipe segments leads to a second manifold (7). According to the invention a second of the outlets from the first pipe segments (3) leads to at least two second pipe segments (9) arranged in a second plane and where at least one of the outlets forms an inlet to the second pipe segments (9), where the second pipe segments (9) comprise at least one outlet leading to a third manifold (12).

Abstract: A separator tank (1) comprising an essentially cylindrical vertical tank, a tangentially arranged inlet (3) in an upper part (9) of the tank, at least one first outlet (4) for oil and gas in the upper part of the tank, and at least one second outlet (5) for water in a lower part of the tank. A vortex zone (7) comprises a downward protruding conical frusta shaped wall (8) with an opening (11) at the lower end to allow communication between the upper and lower part of the tank. A helical spiralling vane is disposed on the upward directed part of said conical frusta shaped wall.

Abstract: A system (1) for separating a fluid stream (2) comprising gas, a light liquid and a heavy liquid, the system comprising a separation vessel (5) that is arranged to define a downwardly extending separation space and comprises a downwardly sloping tube (8), the separation space having an inlet (10) for the fluid stream at a first height, an outlet (20) for heavy liquid at a second height below the first height, an outlet (30) for light liquid at a third height between the first and second heights, an outlet (70) for gas above all outlets for liquid, wherein a further outlet (51, 56) for light liquid is provided at a fourth height between the first and third heights, and wherein at least the outlet at the third height is provided with a control valve (33) that is operative to open and close in dependence of the type of liquid in the pipes at that level, and a method of separating a fluid stream comprising gas, a light liquid and a heavy liquid in such a system, wherein an indication of height of an interface bet

Abstract: A compact cyclonic separator is described which can handle mixtures of solids, liquids and gases in one vessel and provide continuous separation. The invention operates by providing tangential flow into a vertical cylindrical tube and utilizing the tangential flow and gravity to separate into a gas stream, a clean liquids stream, and a solid rich slurry mixture. Several embodiments for controlling the flow of the solid rich slurry mixture are described.

Abstract: A separator tank comprises an essentially cylindrical vertical tank (1) having an upper part (6) and a lower part (7), a tangentially arranged inlet (2) for fluid in the upper part of the tank, at least one first outlet (4) in the upper part of the tank, at least one second outlet (3) in the lower part of the tank, and means (12) for calming a stream around the second outlet. An inner annular wall (5) has a first opening (8) at an upper end of said inner annular wall to allow communication between the upper part and the lower part of the tank. The separator tank comprises a rod-shaped vortex eye breaker (11) extending vertically at the centre of the tank in order to improve the capacity of the tank.

Abstract: The present invention provides a natural gas dehydrator and method for recirculation of gaseous or combustible materials so that they are not released into the atmosphere and to provide fuel for the process. Likewise, liquid hydrocarbons are collected.

Abstract: An oil and vapor recovery system having a float system for adjusting the height of oil and vapor recovery intakes. The float system is preferably adjustable to allow connection of additional floats to maintain buoyancy and keep the vapor intake above the level of the oil in the holding tank and to maintain the oil intake above the level of the water contained in the holding tank. Vapor is drawn out of the holding tank using a vacuum assisted siphon. Oil can be withdrawn from the holding tank by suction or simply by letting the oil flow into an outlet by gravity.

Abstract: An oil and vapor recovery system having a float system for adjusting the height of oil and vapor recovery intakes. The float system is preferably adjustable to allow connection of additional floats to maintain buoyancy and keep the vapor intake above the level of the oil in the holding tank and to maintain the oil intake above the level of the water contained in the holding tank. Vapor is drawn out of the holding tank using a vacuum assisted siphon. Oil can be withdrawn from the holding tank by suction or simply by letting the oil flow into an outlet by gravity.

Abstract: A mixture of fluids is separated into at least two phases, one of which has a higher density than the other, passing the mixture through a normally horizontal supply pipe, by creating a stratified flow in the supply pipe, by passing the mixture through an inclined pipe, whilse maintaining a stratified flow in the inclined pipe, by extracting fluid with lower density (“lighter phase”) via a first discharge system and fluid with a higher density (“heavier phase”) via a second discharge system, wherein the interface between the lighter phase and the heavier phase is monitored in the inclined pipe by a level controller means that varies the flow of the fluid of higher density to keep the interface between set levels.

Abstract: A method and a system for separating the phases of a multiphase fluid from one or more wells. The system includes at least one first gravity separator and at least one second gravity separator, and elements for conducting the fluid from the well or wells to the first and second gravity separator(s). The system includes elements for selectively conducting the fluid to the first and second gravity separators either in parallel or in subsequent steps depending on the properties of the well fluid and process conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for degassing of suspension, specifically fiber stock suspension. The method according to the invention is characterized in that separated excess suspension is discharged sideways through an overflow having an overflow edge that is located in the tank outside wall and is positioned parallel to the tank axis. The device according to the invention is characterized in that the overflow includes at least one overflow having an overflow edge that is located in the tank outside wall and is positioned parallel to the tank axis and that at least one overflow system, for the purpose of discharging the separated excess suspension, is located following the overflow.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting fluid levels in an oil and gas well environment and transmitting a signal to a remote site when sensing that the level has reached a predetermined amount.

Abstract: The compound/curvilinear immiscible liquid separator has a separator section with an outer, elongated, cylindrical shell aligned vertically opening into an upper transition section and vapor dome at the top and a lower transition section and solid/heavy crude containment section at the bottom. A center column is disposed in the axial center of the separator section and a plurality of serially connected curved plates are disposed between the outer shell and center column to define an elongated curvilinear flow path having reverse flow pathways. An oil-water-gas mixture is introduced into the separator section under pressure past heating coils and through the curvilinear path, the lighter density oil entering and being removed from the top of the center column, and heavier sludge and brine collecting in the containment section. Gases bubble up through the center column and are removed from the vapor dome.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for handling fluids returning from a well. The fluids are introduced into a separator and a separated gas stream is recovered or recycled. The gas stream may comprise more than one phase. The separated gas stream is urged through a multiphase pump before it is recovered. Alternatively, the return fluids may pass through a multiphase pump before it is introduced into the separator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for degassing of suspension, specifically fiber stock suspension. The method according to the invention is characterized in that separated excess suspension is discharged sideways through an overflow having an overflow edge that is located in the tank outside wall and is positioned parallel to the tank axis. The device according to the invention is characterized in that the overflow includes at least one overflow having an overflow edge that is located in the tank outside wall and is positioned parallel to the tank axis and that at least one overflow system, for the purpose of discharging the separated excess suspension, is located following the overflow.

Abstract: A device for separating a mixture of fluids having a feed inlet, a gas outlet, an outlet for the lighter liquid and an outlet for the heavier liquid, which device comprises a normally horizontal supply pipe with the feed inlet at its upstream end, an inclined pipe having a closed lower end, a gas discharge system communicating with the gas outlet, a discharge system for lighter liquid communicating with the outlet, and a discharge system for heavier liquid communicating with the outlet, wherein the diameter of the supply pipe is selected such that during normal operation the velocities of the liquids are below a pre-determined value, wherein the ratio of the length of the supply pipe to its diameter is larger than 10 , and wherein the slope of the inclined pipe is selected such that during normal operations a stratified flow is maintained in the inclined pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus for degassing an aqueous suspension containing pulp fibres, the apparatus comprising an elongated horizontal reservoir and a bypass manifold extending into the reservoir. The bypass manifold is placed inside the reservoir such that it it positioned substantially within the aqueous suspension at the bottom of the reservoir, the manifold thus decreasing the flow cross-sectional area of the aqueous suspension at the inlet end of the bypass manifold (2) in the reservoir.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating pressurized drilling fluid returns from a well having a returns outlet.

Abstract: A gravity separator including a vessel within which a mixture containing oil and water can separate under gravity to form vertically discrete oil and water layers, the vessel having an inlet assembly including a cyclone separator for separating an oil-containing inlet flow into gas and liquid phases, that assembly including ducting for receiving the underflow of cyclone separator and conducting that underflow into that region of the vessel which, in use, is above the water layer.

Abstract: A technique is described for producing fluids from a series of wells. Production fluids from production wells are raised from the wells and deposited in a separation unit. The production fluids typically include both liquid and gas phase components. The separation unit utilizes a plurality of separation stages to separate the gas and liquid phase components in the production fluids.

Abstract: A separator apparatus for separating flush effluent from an oil and gas well following a fracture stimulation process, the separator having a vessel that maintains the effluent at a selected liquid level, an inlet is connected to the vessel at a location below the liquid level so that the effluent enters the vessel at a location therebelow. A plurality of baffles within the vessel slow the effluent so that solids settle out to a drain which is periodically opened to transfer the solids to an appropriate disposal. An upper outlet permits the venting of gases that percolate from the liquid constituent, a backpressure valve disposed in communication therewith to maintain a positive pressure within the vessel. A liquid drain withdraws the liquid constituent from the vessel at a rate determined by a level assembly.

Abstract: An improved double acting deaeration vessel is most desirably used in the pulp and paper industry. The deaeration vessel removes gas from a fiber suspension without requiring fine adjustment of the final consistency of the suspension fed to the deaeration vessel. In the same gas volume where the fiber suspension is treated in the deaeration vessel a second partition wall forming a second weir is provided, and the vessel jacket is provided with one or more inlets for a second fluid medium to be introduced into the vessel, with an outlet for the substantially gas free second fluid medium. A common outlet is provided in the common gas volume for gas separated from both the fiber suspension in the second fluid medium, as well as an outlet for the fraction of the second fluid medium separated by the weir.

Abstract: A Vertical Combined Production Facility, or gas-well production system, in which the separation of each phase (hydrocarbon gas, hydrocarbon liquids, and produced water), dehydration of natural gas, removal of minute traces of water from the hydrocarbon liquids, and polishing of produced water, are performed in a single pressure vessel. Additionally, the pressure vessel is installed in a vertical configuration such that the pressure vessel shell also serves as the structural support for a small deck and helideck. Additionally, the inlet heating of the well flow-stream is accomplished by a heat exchanger installed in the dehydration/regeneration heater (reboiler).

Abstract: A hydrocyclone separator separates an oil and water stream into an underflow stream containing primarily water and an overflow stream containing a relatively higher oil concentration than the underflow stream. Quality control of both the underflow stream and the overflow stream is of concern, and typically a de-oiling separator is placed downstream on the underflow stream, and a dewatering separator is placed downstream on the overflow stream from the hydrocyclone separator. A degassing separator is also generally utilized upstream of the inlet to the hydrocyclone separator. Various monitoring and control systems are provided for controlling the split ratio of the underflow and overflow streams of the hydrocyclone separator.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating natural gas from production streams comprising a liquid dispersion of water, sand, and natural gas is provided for. The separator comprises a vessel having an interior surface defining a spherical interior space. The interior space allows a production stream introduced therein to experience a velocity drop sufficient to allow separation of the natural gas from the sand and water components. The separator also comprises a stream inlet port in the vessel, a liquid drain in the lower end of the vessel, and a gas outlet port at the upper end of the vessel remote from the stream inlet port. A baffle is mounted in the interior of the vessel in the path of the production stream between the stream inlet port and the gas outlet port. The baffle is effective to spread and direct a high pressure production stream introduced into the interior space via the stream inlet port downward toward the liquid drain.