Heater Treaters and Separators

Production “Surface Equipment” Series

Instructor Guide

Instructional Training Binder

Must be read by instructor

Instructor Overview and Introduction The production (surface equipment) series is designed to introduce students to the standard lease equipment used to produce, treat, store and sell crude oil and natural gas.

The series is made up of eight separate courses which can be offered

sequentially, or as stand-alone training. This series requires the instructor to be considered a content expert in the course being taught. This training guide offers guidelines and recommendations for instruction intended to complement the field experience exhibited by the instructor. Each course in this series is designed to provide both classroom and hands-on training.

The classroom component

comprises approximately 25% of each course and should serve to provide foundational knowledge and a generalized background of the topic. The remaining 75% of the course is designed as hands-on field training and should be paired with the appropriate facility/equipment designated in this guide. The courses offered in this series include:  Overview of Surface Facility Operations  Pumping Units and Chemical Pumps  Fluid Flow and Handling  Tanks and Fluid Measurement  Heater Treaters and Separators  Circulating Disposal Pumps  Compressors  Automation The following instructional guide will provide a course overview (syllabus), training outline, classroom component materials, equipment guide for hands-on component, and supplemental materials/handouts.

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Course Overview (syllabus) – Heater Treaters and Separators New Mexico Junior College DIVISION OF TRAINING AND OUTREACH Please note that this is a template and serves to provide an overview of the general format, objective, and content of the course. The materials are subject to change as deemed appropriate by the instructor. General Course Information: A. Course Title:

Heater Treater & Separators

B. Length:

2 DAYS

C. Location:

NMJC PETROLEUM INDUSTRY TRAINING COMPLEX

D. Course Structure:

25% THEORY & BACKGROUND LECTURE 75% HANDS-ON APPRENTICESHIP W/ EQUIPMENT

E. Suggested Prior Exp: Moderate working knowledge of petroleum separation systems via industry experience or completion of the “Overview Of Surface Facility Operations” course. F. Recommended For:

Lease Operators, Pumpers, Production Technicians, Foremen, Roustabouts, and Service Technicians.

Course Description: Course will cover the essential elements of the systems used to separate crude oil, produced water, and natural gas. A detailed examination of the primary separation systems including; heater treaters, separators, and free water knockouts will be conducted. Participants will learn to set operating pressures, light fire tubes and burners, and diagnose equipment problems. Recommended Course Materials: API/PETEX – Training Video - Principles and Operation of Production Separator – Cat. No. 65.1164 PETEX – Petroleum Production Operations – ISBN 0-88698-124-7

Specific Course Objectives/Hands-On Competencies: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Identify 2 and 3-phase separation systems and components. Identify, measure, and adjust vessel pressures. Perform preventive maintenance on heater treaters and separators. Light and adjust burners. Collect separated fluid samples and test equipment performance. Troubleshoot and diagnose heater treater and separator failure. Perform minor equipment and system repairs.

Additional Notes This course is an apprenticeship-style course and utilizes an equipment intensive approach to real-world training. The NMJC Petroleum Production Training Facility is a fully functional oilfield location. Therefore, appropriate safety procedures will be observed at all times.

Course Outline – Heater Treaters and Separators Day 1:

8 Hours of Instruction

Hour 1:

Introduction and Overview of Course (Classroom) 1. Instructor/Participant Introductions 2. Review Course syllabus 3. Review Outline 4. Review Safety Policy

Hour 2:

Background of Oil and Gas Separation (Classroom) 1. Two-Phase Separators 2. Three-Phase Separators Move to hands-on facility

Hours 3-4:

Demonstrate Proper Equipment Components and Operation (Wellsite) 1. Separator Working Pressures 2. Separator Operation 3. General Maintenance

Hours 5-8:

Perform Repairs/Maintenance - Simulation (Wellsite) 1. Adjust Pressures 2. Adjust Fluid Levels 3. Replace Guages/Valves 4. Shut-In Equipment for Day 2

Break for Day 2

Course Outline – Heater Treaters and Separators Day 2:

8 Hours of Instruction

Hour 1:

Vertical Separators (Classroom) 1. Two-Phase 2. Three Phase

Hour 2:

Heater Treaters (Classroom) 1. Emulsion 2. Fire Tubes and Burners 3. Dump Valves Move to hands-on facility

Hours 3-6:

Field Demonstration (Wellsite) 1. Demonstrate Equipment Operation 2. Set Vessel Working Pressure 3. Light Burners and Adjust Dumps

Hours 7-8:

Demonstrate Proper Equipment Rig-Down (Wellsite) 1. Rig Down Equipment 2. Dismiss Class

End of Course

Use for Lecture

Materials for Classroom – Heater Treaters and Separators Horizontal Separator Schematic (Two and Three Phase)

Use for Lecture

Materials for Classroom – Heater Treaters and Separators Vertical Heater Treater Schematic

Equipment must be set up before course begins

Equipment for Hands-On Component – Heater Treaters and Separators The following equipment must be present at the training site: Name/Description Physical wellbore w/ 400ft of navigable “hole”

Master List Equipment Code NA

Heater Treater and Separator

A2

Heater Treater

C2

Separator

C3

Water Knockout

C4

Prior to the start of the course, the instructor should prepare the training site. Preparation of the hands-on training facility should include the setup and arrangement of the necessary equipment in the following manner:

 Production facility ready for use w/ heater full of emulsion  Gas supply line to heater operational  Small units available in shop for student use

Ready to begin training

Handouts/Supplemental Items – Heater Treaters and Separators The PETEX Oil and Gas – The Production Story text contains schematics of separation units. These should be distributed to students.

End of Course