The EXPEC Advanced Research Center (EXPEC ARC) and North Ghawar Producing Department (NGPD) have completed successful field trials of the new Inline Water Separator (IWS). The IWS is composed of a series of compact vessels with proprietary technologies to separate water from oil. Water is typically produced with oil and in many cases can make up much of a well's production. The flow of water in pipelines from wells to gas-oil separation plants (GOSPs) imposes pressure on the wells, thereby slowing or preventing production of oil. With water flow expected to increase over the next few decades, an IWS can separate the water before it enters the pipeline and reduce the pressure imposed on the well. “EXPEC ARC anticipates the longer-term needs of the company and develops the technological solutions to address those needs,” said Mohammed Y. Al-Qahtani, executive director of Petroleum Engineering and Development. “This innovative project will help to extend field life and increase oil recovery at lower cost.” “With the IWS, we can now handle the water closer to its source and prolong the life of our fields while minimizing the use of artificial lift,” said Abdulaziz O. Al-Kaabi, acting manager of EXPEC ARC, according to a report carried by Saudi Aramco's web-page.
