2. • The CPF is responsible for handling the initial processing of crude oil
and natural gas as they are brought up from underground reservoirs.
3. The key principles of surface facilities in a CPF in the petroleum industry are as follows:
• Gathering and Separation: The primary function of a CPF's surface facilities is to gather the raw
production fluids from multiple wells in the field and separate them into their constituent
components, which typically include crude oil, natural gas, and water. This separation process is
essential to prepare the fluids for further processing.
• Dehydration and Desalting: Crude oil often contains water and salt, which must be removed to
prevent corrosion and ensure product quality. Surface facilities include equipment for dehydrating
the crude oil to reduce its water content and desalting it to remove salt.
• Oil Stabilization: The crude oil may also contain light hydrocarbons that need to be removed to
meet product specifications. Surface facilities include stabilization units that achieve this by
controlling temperature and pressure.
• Gas Processing: Natural gas produced alongside crude oil often contains impurities such as
hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and carbon dioxide (CO2). Surface facilities have gas processing units
that remove these impurities to meet safety and environmental standards.
• Compression and Transportation: Once the natural gas is processed, it may be compressed to
increase its pressure for transportation through pipelines to end-users or storage facilities.
4. The key principles of surface facilities in a CPF in the petroleum industry are as follows:
• Gathering and Separation: The primary function of a CPF's surface facilities is to gather the raw production fluids
from multiple wells in the field and separate them into their constituent components, which typically include crude
oil, natural gas, and water. This separation process is essential to prepare the fluids for further processing.
• Dehydration and Desalting: Crude oil often contains water and salt, which must be removed to prevent corrosion and
ensure product quality. Surface facilities include equipment for dehydrating the crude oil to reduce its water content
and desalting it to remove salt.
• Oil Stabilization: The crude oil may also contain light hydrocarbons that need to be removed to meet product
specifications. Surface facilities include stabilization units that achieve this by controlling temperature and pressure.
• Gas Processing: Natural gas produced alongside crude oil often contains impurities such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S)
and carbon dioxide (CO2). Surface facilities have gas processing units that remove these impurities to meet safety
and environmental standards.
• Compression and Transportation: Once the natural gas is processed, it may be compressed to increase its pressure
for transportation through pipelines to end-users or storage facilities.
• Storage Tanks: Surface facilities include storage tanks for holding both the separated crude oil and processed natural
gas. These tanks help manage variations in production rates and provide a buffer for downstream transportation.
• Metering and Measurement: Precise measurement and metering of the produced fluids are essential for commercial
and operational purposes. Surface facilities are equipped with instruments to monitor and record the quantity and
quality of the produced hydrocarbons.
• Safety and Environmental Considerations: Safety is paramount in the petroleum industry. Surface facilities are
designed to prevent leaks, fires, and other hazards. They also include facilities for managing wastewater, ensuring
compliance with environmental regulations.
