Surface · Well Testing
Test Separator
A three phase vessel that splits the well stream into gas, oil and water so each phase can be measured.
What it does
Inlet diverter, plate packs, weirs and a mist extractor help separation, and level controllers with control valves hold the oil and water levels. Gas is commonly measured with an orifice meter.
Basics
| Phases | Gas, oil, water |
| Internals | Inlet diverter, plate packs, weirs, mist extractor |
| Gas metering | Orifice meter |
| Protection | Pressure relief device |
Common failures
- Liquid carryover into the gas line or gas carryunder into the oil line
Troubleshooting
- Symptom
- Gas rate jumps and liquid shows at the burner
- Likely cause
- Liquid carryover
- What to check
- Check the level control and lower the rate until levels are stable