Petroleum Production Systems Overview

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Questions and Answers

What does the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry primarily involve?

Refining crude oil to sell

Searching for and producing crude oil and natural gas (correct)

Transportation of refined products

Storage of natural gas

Which operation is not typically associated with the midstream sector?

Storage of petroleum products

Transportation of crude oil

Wholesale marketing of refined products

Drilling exploratory wells (correct)

Which component is a part of basic well completion design?

Pipelines and transport systems

Chokes, packers and valves (correct)

Corrosion management systems

Separation and separators

What is one of the primary functions of the downstream sector?

Refining and marketing petroleum products Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the coiled tubing (CT) introduced in the petroleum industry?

Enhancing production through well interventions Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a wellhead?

To manage the extraction of hydrocarbons and prevent leaks Signup and view all the answers

Which component is not part of the wellhead assembly?

Choke valve Signup and view all the answers

What pressure levels can wellheads typically withstand?

20,000 psi Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the Christmas tree in the wellhead assembly?

It controls the flow from the well Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following products is not typically associated with the downstream sector?

Crude oil Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'blowout' refer to in the context of wellheads?

An uncontrolled release of oil or gas Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about the surface gathering system is true?

It transports oil and gas from the wellhead to the refinery. Signup and view all the answers

What safety mechanism is used during the drilling process?

Blowout preventer (BOP) Signup and view all the answers

What percentage range of carbon constitutes carbon steel?

0.12–2.0% Signup and view all the answers

Which property of carbon steel is a disadvantage in certain conditions?

Low corrosion resistance Signup and view all the answers

Which material is known for excellent resistance to various corrosive media?

Duplex Stainless Steel Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of a reducer in flow line fittings?

To alter pipe diameter Signup and view all the answers

What does the Venturi effect primarily describe?

Reduction in fluid pressure Signup and view all the answers

Which flow line fitting is used to combine or split fluid flow?

Tee-Connection Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of expansion joints in a piping system?

Absorb thermal expansion Signup and view all the answers

What equation can describe the drop in pressure due to the Venturi effect?

Bernoulli's principle and continuity equation Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a production separator in oil and gas processing?

To separate the fluid components into gaseous and liquid constituents Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a factor that affects the design of an oil and gas separator?

Presence of harmful bacteria Signup and view all the answers

What type of separator is designated to separate gas from the total liquid stream?

Two-phase separator Signup and view all the answers

How do separators assist in the oil and gas production process?

By mechanically separating gas and liquid components from a hydrocarbon stream Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'gas scrubbers' refer to in the context of separators?

Separators with a high ratio of gas rate to liquid rate Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following characteristics is crucial for designing an effective separator?

Physical properties of the fluids such as density and compressibility Signup and view all the answers

Why is proper separator design critical in oil and gas facilities?

To prevent bottlenecks and reduce overall capacity Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of 'designed degree of separation' in the context of separators?

It defines how completely a separator can remove impurities from fluids Signup and view all the answers

What happens if the particles in a sand formation are poorly sorted?

It leads to plugging of pore spaces. Signup and view all the answers

What is one disadvantage of using screens in horizontal wells?

Difficulties in performing remedial work. Signup and view all the answers

What is gravel packing used for in oil and gas production?

To stop sand production and enhance sand control. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of screen is described as having overlapping slots and is expanded by a cone?

Expandable Screen/Slotted Tubular Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of gravel pack sand?

It is made of rounded particles between 200 and 1200 microns. Signup and view all the answers

What are the applications of a prepacked screen?

To improve the flow between the well and the formation. Signup and view all the answers

How is the gravel in gravel packing specifically characterized?

It needs to be specially sized for effective packing. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary benefit of using a wire wrapped screen?

It provides high flow area with lower risk of plugging. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Surface Gathering System

The text outlines the steps of petroleum production, starting with the wellhead - drilling and completion
Explains the importance of the wellhead in controlling well pressure and preventing blowouts
High-pressure formations need wellheads that can withstand up to 20,000 psi
The wellhead comprises three main parts: casing head, tubing head and the Christmas tree
Once hydrocarbons are brought to the surface, the main goal is to transport them from the wellhead to the refinery
The transport system mainly involves Flow lines, which are typically made of carbon steel (for resistance and long laying lengths) or duplex Stainless Steel (for corrosion resistance in harsh environments)
Flow line fittings include elbows, tee connections, reducers, gaskets, expansion joints and valves.

Oil and Gas Separation

Separators are crucial for separating liquid (oil, water) and gas components at specific temperatures and pressures, forming the initial processing step in any facility.
Separators are classified as two-phase (gas separated from liquid) and three-phase (liquid separated into oil and water).
Separator design considerations depend on factors like gas and liquid flow rates, operating pressures, temperature, and the potential for surging, slugging, density, compressibility, impurities, foam, and corrosion.

Introduction to Sand Production and Detection

Sand production is a major challenge in oil and gas production, impacting flow rates and well integrity
Sand particles can bridge, plugging pore spaces and causing a decline in productivity
Screens are used to prevent sand production by acting as flow filters
Screen types include wire-wrapped, prepacked, excluder, expandable, and slotted tubular
Gravel packing, involving the use of specially-sized gravel, is another technique to achieve sand control, creating a more efficient filter than screens alone.
Internal gravel packs are placed inside the casing, with gravel being pumped into the space between the screen and formation (this also helps with drilling accuracy and efficiency).
The gravel pack prevents sand movement and ensures effective sand control, reducing the risk of production decline.

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Description

This quiz focuses on the essential components and processes involved in petroleum production, such as the role of wellheads, flow lines, and separators. It explores the engineering behind maintaining well pressure while efficiently transporting hydrocarbons to refineries. Test your knowledge on the intricacies of oil and gas production systems.