RE: FLOW RESULTS28 Oct 2022 10:25
Crude oil, the fluid that’s pumped right out of the ground, is full of stuff that’s not oil, gas, or another hydrocarbon. Separation is the process of removing as much of that other stuff as is possible, as well as separating the various elements of oil. Treating oil is a key part of the separation process.
The process of treating oil can actually start even before it’s pumped out of the well, and will continue until the oil is sold. Chemical treatment is the most common way of treating oil, and most crude oil will have chemicals added to it at some point to help water and sediment separate out. Chemical treatments can also be used to prevent corrosion of pipes and tanks, and for a few other uses as well. For some specific problems, there are also some special ways of treating oil beyond the standard chemical additives.