Oil conditioning unit and process

Abstract

A method for stabilizing crude oil includes pumping unstabilized crude oil with a pump from a first pressure to a second pressure higher than the first pressure, heating the unstabilized crude oil from the pump with a pre-heater at a first temperature, and separating light hydrocarbon gases from the unstabilized crude oil in a degassing vessel at the first temperature to produce stabilized crude oil and separated light hydrocarbon gases. The stabilized crude oil has a Reid Vapor Pressure less than or equal to 13.7 psia.

1 . A method for stabilizing crude oil, the method comprising:
 pumping unstabilized crude oil with a pump from a first pressure to a second pressure higher than the first pressure;   heating the unstabilized crude oil from the pump with a pre-heater at a first temperature; and   separating light hydrocarbon gases from the unstabilized crude oil in a degassing vessel at the first temperature to produce stabilized crude oil and separated light hydrocarbon gases;   wherein the stabilized crude oil has a Reid Vapor Pressure less than or equal to 13.7 psia.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the stabilized crude oil has a Reid Vapor Pressure between 6 psia and 13.7 psia. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first temperature is 240 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second pressure is between 20 and 150 psia. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising heating the unstabilized crude oil from the pump in a cross-exchanger to a second temperature lower than the first temperature prior to heating the unstabilized crude oil in the pre-heater. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising injecting a de-emulsifying agent into the degassing vessel to break up emulsions.