Separator

Production Equipment

A separator is a pressure vessel used to separate the production stream into its individual components: oil, gas, and water. Gravity is the primary mechanism; the vessel is designed to hold the fluid long enough (retention time) for gas to bubble out and water to settle to the bottom.

Separators can be 2-phase (Gas/Liquid) or 3-phase (Gas/Oil/Water) and exist in horizontal or vertical configurations. Internal components like inlet diverters, mist extractors, and weir plates enhance separation efficiency. They are the first stage of surface processing before fluids are sent to storage tanks or pipelines.