EPCON CFU (Compact Flotation Unit)

The cost-efficient alternative to traditional produced-water-treatment systems

E N V I R O N M E N T A L A N D P R O C E S S S O L U T I O N S

Reliable and highly efficient CFU technology delivers increased revenue from improved oil recovery

A P P L I C A T I O N S

Field proven
Since 1999, CFU technology has been under development and in joint testing with oil companies operating in the North Sea. Today, it is a wellproven environmental solution to treat the increasing volumes of produced water. Major operators worldwide have tested and/or installed the EPCON CFU technology.

Onshore and offshore installations where hydrocarbons must be effectively removed from produced water.

P R O B L E M S

See for yourself how the EPCON process from M-I SWACO is reducing produced-water costs for operators worldwide
Your M-I SWACO* representative can tell you how your projects can benefit from the cost-efficient CFU technology.

Produced water is the largest-volume waste stream in oil and gas production, with an estimated 240 mmbod produced globally. Water cut is forecast to increase rapidly in key oil and gas areas, steadily increasing water-handling costs.

EPCON CFU vs Traditional Produced-Water-Treatment Systems (Hydrocyclones and Degassing Drum)

System Traditional water train (HC + degassing drum) One-stage EPCON CFU (1 vessel, CFU 300) Two-stage EPCON CFU (2 vessels in series, 2 x CFU 300) Capacity Wet weight 19,070 ft3 49.6 tons (540 m3/hr) (45 metric tons) 81,000 bbl/day 19,070 ft3 8.8 tons (540 m3/hr) (8 metric tons) 81,000 bbl/day 19,070 ft3 17.6 tons (540 m3/hr) (16 metric tons) 81,000 bbl/day Footprint 322.9 ft2 (30 m2) 64.6 ft2 (6 m2) 129.2 ft2 (12 m2) Performance <40 ppm (<40 mg/L) <20 ppm (<20 mg/L) <10 ppm (<10 mg/L)

S O L U T I O N S

The EPCON* Compact Flotation Unit (CFU) is a reliable and highly efficient technology for separating water, oil and gas to achieve a high standard of treated water. It requires no external energy and the CFU also has a smaller volume and shorter retention time than traditional flotation units currently in use.

E C O N O M I C S

Produced water reduces oil and gas production, displacing potential oil- and gas-processing capacity. Traditional processing systems cannot handle increasing water cut, a key driver of wells being shut in. With the EPCON Compact Flotation Unit, operators see increased revenue from improved oil recovery.

Gas

Oil Water Gas

1st stage separator Oil Gas and oil Reject Hydrocyclone

E N V I R O N M E N T A L

Depending on local regulations, water from the CFU process can be discharged with little or no additional treatment.

Gas Degassing vessel Water directly to sea

A typical EPCON CFU installation working in parallel with a traditional water-treatment system to increase total producedwater-treatment capacity.

Water to re-injection

How it works
Several combined processes, including gas flotation and induced centrifugal inertia forces, act on the fluid components of different specific gravities. The small oil droplets are made to agglomerate and coalesce, facilitating separation from the water. The separation process is aided by internal devices in the chamber and a gas flotation effect caused by the release of residual gas from the water. Process optimization can also be achieved by the introduction of external gas and/or flocculants. The separated oil and gas is removed in a continual process via an outlet pipe at the top of the vessel. Compared to traditional separation techniques, the CFU delivers higher capacity and better performance at a lower cost. The single-step separation has been proven to reduce the Oil-inWater (OiW) content to below 20 ppm (20 mg/L), while simultaneously degassing the water. Two CFUs in series have been proven to reduce the OiW content to below 10 ppm (10 mg/L). The process requires a retention time of less than 30 sec to perform effectively. A vessel with an operation volume of only 70.6 ft3 (2 m3) can treat a water flow up to 8,829 ft3 (250 m3/hr). The EPCON CFU from M-I SWACO is carefully engineered to interface with other offshore production installations. The technology can be designed to fit all pipes and can easily be adapted to local conditions and requirements.

Features and Benefits

Relatively small footprint and low weight Rugged construction Straightforward design Long operating life Wide operational range Simple to operate Oil in water reduced to <10 ppm (<10 mg/L) Minimum maintenance No small bore openings No rotating parts No external energy required Design adaptable to any installation

P.O. Box 42842 Houston, Texas 77242-2842 Tel: 2815611300 Fax: 2815611441 www.miswaco.com E-mail: questions@miswaco.com M-I EPCON AS P.O. Box 2595 N-3908 Porsgrunn Norway Tel: 4735924540 Fax: 4735924541 www.epconoffshore.com E-mail: epconmail@miswaco.com Technology Centers: HOUSTON, TEXAS Tel: 2815611300 Fax: 2815611441 ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND Tel: 441224334634 Fax: 441224334650 STAVANGER, NORWAY Tel: 4751577300 Fax: 4751570605
This information is supplied solely for informational purposes and M-I SWACO makes no guarantees or warranties, either expressed or implied, with respect to the accuracy and use of this data. All product warranties and guarantees shall be governed by the Standard Terms of Sale. Nothing in this document is legal advice or is a substitute for competent legal advice.

2006 M-I L.L.C. All rights reserved. *Mark of M-I L.L.C. DBR.0502.0608.R1 (E)