BAKER HUGHES - Drilling Fluids Reference Manual

FLUIDS ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
SEPARA
DECA
The sample bottles in the figure above illustrate the process from slop water to discharged water.
Experienced offshore operators adjust the decanter unit to discharge solids at the most effective cut
between solids and fluid phase. Once the decanter unit has been correctly set up, the liquid phase can
go directly into the separator unit for oil separation. Once again an effective cut between the phases
is essential: At this stage the cut point between the oil and water phases is made as close to the oil
phase as possible, minimizing the volume of oil waste for disposal. The relatively large fluid volume
from the clean fluid outlet is discharged to the sea with an oil content less than 40 ppm. The separator
is capable of processing fluid to an oil-in-water content less than 15 ppm, if necessary.
BAKER HUGHES DRILLING FLUIDS
REFERENCE MANUAL
REVISION 2006 14-32