Patent ID: 7854849

Claim:
A method of inline, controlled water separation from a multiphase hydrocarbon production stream, which method comprises: directing said multiphase hydrocarbon production stream to a gas/liquid separator to separate into a gas stream and a liquid stream; directing said gas stream removed from said gas/liquid separator through a gas control valve; monitoring and controlling a level of liquid in said gas/liquid separator; directing said liquid stream removed from said gas/liquid separator to an enlarged pipe section to separate into an oil portion and a water portion; monitoring and controlling the interface of said oil portion in said enlarged pipe section; discouraging a turbulence or vortex effect from flow of oil and water by an internal isolation plate within said enlarged pipe section; directing said water portion from said enlarged pipe section to a liquid-liquid cyclone centrifugal separator to separate into a water stream and a hydrocarbon concentrated stream; directing said water stream to a de-oiling hydrocyclone separator to separate into an oily water stream and a clean or water stream; and directing said oily water stream back to the production stream and delivering said clean or water stream for disposal.