Oilfield Operations and Hydrocarbons

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary difference between crude oil and condensate in terms of their properties?

Condensate is usually lighter in color and lower in molecular weight and viscosity than crude oil.

What happens to the lighter molecules, such as methane and ethane, as the pressure is reduced or the temperature is increased in an oilfield facility?

They tend to boil off into the vapor phase, taking some of the midrange components with them.

What is the purpose of an oilfield facility?

To separate the fluids that come out of an oil or gas well into separate streams that can then be sold and sent to a gas plant or refinery for further processing.

What is the definition of hydrocarbons in terms of their molecular composition?

They are composed of many different components or molecules of carbon and hydrogen atoms. Signup and view all the answers

What is Basic Sediment and Water (BS&W), and how is it measured?

It is the percent by volume of water and solid impurities in the oil. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of process simulations in oilfield facilities?

To predict how the components that make up the well fluids react to changes in pressure and temperature as they are processed through the facility. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the heavier molecules in an oilfield facility as the pressure is reduced or the temperature is increased?

They tend to stabilise as liquid. Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the ratio of carbon to hydrogen atoms in a hydrocarbon molecule and its tendency to exist as a liquid or gas?

As the ratio of carbon to hydrogen atoms increases, the molecules become heavier and have a greater tendency to exist as a liquid rather than a gas. Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical Gulf of Mexico pipeline requirement for oil pipeline specifications?

1% by volume Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor that determines the bubblepoint of a hydrocarbon liquid?

Composition of the liquid Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of specifying the water dewpoint in gas pipelines?

Hydrate and corrosion control Signup and view all the answers

What type of solids are hydrates?

Crystalline, ice-like solids Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a gathering system in oil and gas production?

To combine individual well streams and direct them to main processing facilities Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Reid vapor pressure in hydrocarbon liquids?

It is the pressure at which a hydrocarbon liquid will begin to flash to vapor under specific conditions Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the hydrocarbon dewpoint and the composition of the gas?

The hydrocarbon dewpoint depends on the composition of the gas Signup and view all the answers

Why may the hydrocarbon and water dewpoints not be the same in a hydrocarbon fluid?

Due to the history of the hydrocarbon fluid, i.e., the processing that has occurred upstream Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Definition of Terms

Crude oil is a liquid hydrocarbon produced from a reservoir.
Condensate is a liquid hydrocarbon that condenses from gas as pressure and temperatures decrease when produced from a reservoir.
Condensate is usually lighter in color and lower in molecular weight and viscosity than crude oil.
Hydrocarbons are composed of many different components or molecules of carbon and hydrogen atoms.
The ratio of carbon to hydrogen atoms increases, the molecules become heavier and have a greater tendency to exist as a liquid rather than a gas.

Oilfield Facilities and Processing

An oilfield facility is a collection of equipment used to separate fluids from an oil or gas well into separate streams.
A process simulation is a calculation that predicts how components of well fluids react to changes in pressure and temperature as they are processed through the facility.
As pressure is reduced or temperature is increased, lighter molecules tend to boil off into the vapor phase, taking some midrange components with them.
The remainder of midrange and most of the heavier molecules stabilize as liquid.

Oil and Gas Properties

Basic Sediment and Water (BS&W) is the percent by volume of water and solid impurities in the oil.
Oil pipeline specifications range from 0.1 to 3%, with a typical Gulf of Mexico pipeline requirement of 1% by volume.
The bubblepoint is the point at which gas first appears within a liquid sample as the temperature is raised or the pressure lowered.
The bubblepoint of a hydrocarbon liquid is a function of pressure, temperature, and the composition of the liquid.
Reid vapor pressure is the pressure at which a hydrocarbon liquid will begin to flash to vapor under specific conditions.
Hydrocarbon dewpoint is the point at which hydrocarbon liquid first condenses from a gas sample when the temperature is lowered or the pressure is increased.
Water dewpoint is often specified for gas pipelines for hydrate and corrosion control.

Gathering System

Oil and gas processing is a fundamental part of all petroleum producing operations.
Gathering system involves combining individual well streams from wellheads and directing them to main processing facilities.
The system uses a pipeline network and process facilities.
Oil or gas gathering line connects to a flow line, which is attached to the wellhead.

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Description

Test your knowledge of oilfield operations, including the properties of crude oil and condensate, the behavior of lighter molecules, and the purpose of oilfield facilities. Also, explore hydrocarbons, Basic Sediment and Water, and process simulations.