Crude Oil Treatment | 8th – 12th September 2025

Course Overview

This 5-day course provides a comprehensive understanding of modern crude oil treatment processes in the oil and gas industry. It covers new and advanced techniques for treating crude oil, focusing on the phase separation, emulsion treatment, desalting, and stabilization processes. Designed for professionals in the upstream and downstream sectors, the course explores the latest technologies and methodologies employed to enhance crude oil quality and optimise production efficiency.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the formation, characteristics, and composition of crude oil, as well as its behaviour in production.
2. Identify and apply various phase separation techniques for gas, oil, and water separation.
3. Gain insights into emulsion treatment processes and dehydration techniques used in crude oil production.
4. Learn the desalting process, including its importance and troubleshooting methods.
5. Comprehend the methods of crude oil stabilization and sweetening to improve product quality.
6. Understand the operational requirements for crude oil storage and waste disposal systems, including produced water management.

Target Audience

• Engineers, operators, and technicians working in crude oil production and refining operations.
• Quality control and assurance professionals involved in crude oil treatment.
• Supervisors and managers overseeing oil treatment, separation, and refining processes.
• Environmental and safety officers in the oil and gas sector.
• Technical and R&D personnel exploring new methods for improving crude oil treatment efficiency.

Daily Agenda

Day One: Petroleum Crude from Formation to Production

• Formation and Accumulation of Petroleum Crude: Understanding the geological processes that lead to crude oil formation.
• Types of Petroleum Reservoirs: Overview of different reservoir types and their impact on crude oil extraction.
• Drilling the Oil Well: Techniques and equipment used for drilling and extracting crude oil.
• Producing the Oil Well: Methods for optimizing oil production once the well is drilled.
• Composition and Characteristics of Petroleum Crude: Detailed analysis of the chemical and physical properties of crude oil.
• Field Service Equipment: Introduction to the key equipment used in the field for oil extraction and treatment.

Day Two: Phase Separation Process

• Two-Phase Gas–Oil Separation: Methods and equipment used to separate gas and oil phases efficiently.
• Methods of Separation: Various separation techniques, including mechanical and gravity-based methods.
• Gas–Oil Separation Equipment: Overview of equipment used for gas-oil separation, including separators and scrubbers.
• Three-Phase Oil–Water–Gas Separation: Techniques for separating oil, water, and gas in a single operation.
• Horizontal Three-Phase Separators: Design and operation of horizontal separators for efficient separation.
• Vertical Three-Phase Separators: Design considerations for vertical separators and their advantages in specific applications.
• Separation Theory: Theoretical principles behind phase separation and how to optimise the process.

Day Three: Emulsion Treatment and Dehydration

• Oil Emulsions: Understanding the formation of emulsions in crude oil and the challenges they present.
• Dehydration/Treating Processes: Techniques for removing water from crude oil, including heating, chemical treatment, and electrical aids.
• Heating: How heating can be used to break emulsions and aid in the separation of water.
• Chemical Treatment: The role of chemicals in emulsion breaking and dehydration.
• Electrical Aid: The use of electrical fields to enhance the separation of water from oil.
• Chemi-Electric Dehydrators (Emulsion Theaters): Advanced technologies combining chemical and electrical methods for effective dehydration.

Day Four: Desalting of Crude Oil

• Description of the Desalting Process: Overview of desalting techniques and their importance in crude oil treatment.
• Relationship among Volume of Remnant Water, Its Salinity, and Salt Content: How salt content impacts crude oil and the desalting process.
• Electrostatic Desalting: The application of electrostatic fields to remove salts from crude oil.
• Determining Dilution Water Requirement: How to calculate the appropriate amount of water needed for desalting.
• Effect of Operating Parameters: The impact of temperature, pressure, and other factors on desalting efficiency.
• Desalter System Troubleshooting: Common issues in desalting systems and how to resolve them effectively.

Day Five: Crude Oil Stabilization, Sweetening & Storage

• Stabilization Operations: Understanding the need for crude oil stabilization and methods to prevent vapor loss.
• Types of Stabilizers Employing Energy as a Stripping Agent: Overview of stabilizers and their role in maintaining crude oil integrity.
• Crude Oil Sweetening: Techniques for removing sulphur compounds and improving the quality of crude oil.
• Overview about Crude Storage Tanks: Design and operational requirements for crude oil storage.
• Vapor Recovery Units: Technologies for recovering vapors from crude oil storage and processing.
• Piping and The Oil Fields: An overview of the piping systems used in crude oil transport and storage.
• Produced / Drained Water Treatment & Disposal: Methods for handling and disposing of water produced during crude oil extraction.

Why Choose this Course?

This course is essential for professionals who need to optimise gas chromatography systems and troubleshooting processes in the oil and gas industry. With a balance of theory and practical knowledge, participants will gain in-depth expertise in gas chromatography, from basic principles to advanced troubleshooting. The course’s focus on real-world applications, method development, and compliance with international standards ensures that participants are well-prepared to apply their knowledge in the field.

Learning Outcome

Upon successful completion of the course, participants will be able to:

1. Gain a comprehensive understanding of crude oil formation, properties, and treatment techniques.
2. Learn the latest methods for phase separation, emulsion treatment, and dehydration.
3. Develop the ability to troubleshoot desalting systems and improve desalting efficiency.
4. Understand crude oil stabilization and sweetening processes, as well as their impact on product quality.
5. Be equipped with the knowledge required for effective crude oil storage, waste disposal, and environmental considerations.