Status: Completed - C-FER developed the Downhole Oil/Water Separations (DHOWS) technology through a Joint Industry Project with over 39 operating and vendor companies. The culmination of this was the commercial realization of the ESP variant within the relatively short period of time of just over three years. The technology of ESP based systems is licensed to Schlumberger/REDA and Baker Hughes Inc./Centrilift.

The economic justification for the system implementation can come from any one or more of the following conditions: increased oil production, optimization of surface facilities, water handling savings, increased economic recoverable reserves and power savings.

Phase I of the JIP consisted of the generation of concepts and the completion of a feasibility study.

Phase II consisted of developing methods for combining hydrocyclone separators with three different pumping systems electric submersible pump (ESP), progressing cavity pump (PCP), and beam pump and completing prototype by working with selective component manufacturers.

Phase III was focused on full scale laboratory testing and field trials of the three prototype DHOWS systems (ESP, PCP, and beam).

C-FER continues to offer courses on design and implementation of DHOWS technologies, as well as engineering services related to helping operators assess the applicability of this technology for their own operations.

Contact: Todd Zahacy, Project Manager