AGAR CORPORATION

Process Measurement & Control Solutions

NOTE 5: PRODUCTION WELL TESTING

2-Phase Separator versus 3-Phase Separator
Determining the production rate from oil wells is simpler and less costly because of AGAR’s advanced technologies. For many
years complex 3-phase separators were the industry standard because measurement technologies required the separation
of the hydrocarbon, water, and gas phases. AGAR’s patented 0-100% microwave energy absorption technology for oil/water
measurements has revolutionized well testing and optimization when well test separators are utilized.

Well Testing Rate 2-Phase 3-Phase

Separator Size Small - short residence time Large, long residence time
Only need to separate liquid Large: Must separate oil from
Retention Time
from gas water

Purging Time Short: small liquid volume Long: Large liquid volume
Accuracy 2-Phase 3-Phase
Fluid from previous well can
Smaller liquid volumes reduce
Purging greatly affect results if not
chances of error
completely purged.
Measures 0 - 100% water in Any oil discharged with water
Emulsions
liquid leg is not measured
Continues to measure
Any oil discharged with water
Inversions properly with density
is not measured
inversions
1 flow meter, 1 liquid draw-off 2 flow meters, 2 draw-off
Instrumentation
valve, 1 Hi/Lo control valves, 2 Hi/Lo controls
Economics 2-Phase 3-Phase
Requires 2 flow meters, 2 sets
1 flow meter, 1 set of level
Number of instruments of level controls and 2 control
controls, and 1 control valve
valves
Large because of required
Vessel Size Smaller with equal capacity retention time for oil/water
separation
Requires both water leg and oil
Piping Only 1 liquid leg
leg

Maintenance Much simpler system More maintenance items

More because of reduced Fewer because of longer purge

Well Tests per day
purge times times

APPLICATION NOTE 5
All Agar Corporation Instruments are covered by one or more of the following U.S. Patents: 4,503,383; 4,774,680; 5,099,697; 5,101,163; 5,101,367; 5,263,363;
5,503,004; 5,551,305; 5,589,642; 5,741,977, RE 36,597. Other patents pending in the USA and other countries.
 APPLICATION NOTE 5 - Production Well Testing

TEST SEPARATOR

3-Phase Well Tester (Old Method) GAS

HIGH

ID PROBE

WELL
STREAM
GAS
ID PROBE
OW-301
Oil/Water LOW
FLOW Monitor
METER (0 - 40%)
OIL &
WATER

DUMP
VALVE
DAS ID PROBE
HIGH

ID PROBE
LOW
OIL &
WATER

DUMP
VALVE FLOW
METER

2-Phase Well Tester (New, Simpler Agar Technology)

HEADQUARTERS - CAYMAN ISLAND: Agar Corporation, LTD - P.O. Box 10206 - Grand Cayman, BWI - KY1-1002 - Tel: (345) 945-5242 - ACL@agarcorp.com

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AGAR CORPORATION
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ER No. 5485: ACI-A-7.2-DOC-013 Rev 01